James & Clare
James & Clare
Highly experienced FULL TIME housesitters with 40+ completed sits worldwide
About James & Clare
We are a couple of non smoking, animal loving 51 year olds from the UK and New Zealand who enjoy travel and experiencing anything and everything our globe trotting life has to throw at us. We have over 35 house and pet sitting experiences in many countries, from small flats and mansions through to farms and small holdings and have loved every mi...
We are a couple of non smoking, animal loving 51 year olds from the UK and New Zealand who enjoy travel and experiencing anything and everything our globe trotting life has to throw at us. We have over 35 house and pet sitting experiences in many countries, from small flats and mansions through to farms and small holdings and have loved every minute of it! We are lucky enough to have retired young, allowing us to become global citizens, travelling and house sitting full time. We are travellers, not tourists, and as such our primary focus is the care of your property and pets.
Please take time to view our video to get an idea of how well your pets will be cared for. We are true animal lovers and as our lifestyle precludes having our own pets, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to take care of yours. We treat them all like they are our own.
Why we want to house sit
As passionate travellers and animal lovers we find that house and pet sitting combines these two loves perfectly. We prefer to live as locals wherever we travel and looking after your house and property is a great way to do this at the same time as giving you piece of mind that everything (and everyone) will be cared for while you enjoy some time away. We enjoy the company of animals especially and walking dogs is never viewed as a chore but more a chance to get out and discover the local environment. A win win for us both!
Follow us on our house and pet sitting journey around the world via our BLOG: jamesandclare dot blogspot dot com
Our experience
We bring many tools and knowledge to house sitting opportunities:
YOUR PETS
* As pet owners for most of our lives, we understand the importance of your pet/s to you. We will take the time to really get to know them, enjoying their company as you do and treating them as our own. We always miss them when we go.
* We have looked after, and catered to the needs of, a wide variety of animals. From pets that live inside the house (and on the bed) to working dogs who live outside. Farm animals, rescue dogs, pedigree pets, kittens and puppies. We have had them all at some stage. All of your pets needs will be met. We are just as happy to play with your boisterous pets as to sit quietly with the timid ones.
* We will happily step in and take care of the special needs of your animals .... be they behavioural, medical or otherwise. We have helped with the re-training of a “fear aggressive” rescue dog, and administered medication orally, topically and by injection to both farm animals and pets. The welfare of your pet will be of paramount importance to us.
* We will keep you posted during your absence by sending you photos of relaxed and happy pets having fun with us and being pampered.
* We are happy to be bound by the routine of your pets, taking your dog with us wherever we go if appropriate, sticking to regular feeding times and playing with your pets in the home. Walking dogs is never viewed as a chore, rather an opportunity to get out in the local community.
YOUR PROPERTY
* As home owners in the UK, we understand the importance of security and will be around daily to ensure a lived in feel and look to your home, airing it and/or keeping it warm as necessary.
* We are fully aware of the responsibility of looking after your home and will endeavour to sort out any issues that arise on our watch. We have not yet had to interrupt a home owner’s holiday as we are mindful it is YOUR break!
* As a handyman, James will bring peace of mind to fixing practical problems that may arise in your absence. Experienced at building and electrical work and with an ability to fix all manner of household items, a practical application along with a ton of common sense ... he is capable of solving most problems that may arise round the home.
* As keen gardeners we enjoy keeping the outdoors alive and under control as needed. We have mowed large acre lawns and small city plots, using a variety of tools from sit on mowers to strimmers and hand shears. We are equally capable with vegetable plots, flower gardens and temperamental indoor plants.
* We are happy to shovel snow, trim trees, chop wood and carry out any other chores required to keep the home fires burning.
* We will clean and tidy the house as you would. In fact our home owners often remark that the house is cleaner on their return than when they left!
OUR EXPERIENCE
* We have lived and house sat in the UK, Europe, Asia, North, Central & South Americas and New Zealand .... and look forward to many more corners of the earth.
* We have stayed in mansions with swimming pools and spas, small apartments in the city, large acreage farm properties, yachts, adobe huts in places with limited power and resources, off the grid, on the grid and everything in between. In the tropics with the bugs and pests and in the snow in sub zero temperatures. We have loved every minute of it.
* We are equally at home by the ocean, in the hills, in remote villages or in the city center, sitting for periods ranging from a single night to 6 months.
* We have lived in countries deemed to be safe and free; countries bound by century old traditions and religions, countries just emerging post civil war and countries that require special attention to our health and safety .
* We have driven every conceivable vehicle from one to 20 wheels! and varying powered and unpowered boats. We have both had full motorcycle and car driving licences for 30+ years, are used to driving on all manor of roads and tracks and on either side of the road .
* We have looked after small holdings with cattle, horses, pigs, goats, donkeys, sheep, chickens, alpacas and ducks and are experienced at feeding out and paddock rotation. We have also worked with sheep dogs on a sheep farm as you can see on our Waimate, NZ 2015 Blog video.
* We can operate in a number of languages including, but not exclusively English, French, Spanish & Nepali. We have sat in countries where we have had to learn the language as we go, which is not a problem to us. We are understanding and highly respectful of other’s cultures , religions and beliefs.
* We like to get involved in the communities where we sit, and one or both of us will often seek volunteer work locally if the sit is long enough.
OUR COMMITTMENT
* As professionals in our previous working lives, having owned our own and managed other people’s businesses, we are organised, reliable and thorough in our preparation for your sit.
* Our communication before and during your sit will ensure you feel at ease with both us and the house sitting process.
* We will follow your instructions in everything to do with your home and pets.
* We are technologically literate and whilst we like to have access to some internet, we don’t require it for work so are happy with slower service in remote areas.
* We will consider sits in all areas of the world, especially if we haven’t been before, and stay for as long as you need us. We have even stayed on to cater for delayed flights and endeavour not to book back to back sits for this reason.
* We are always happy to arrive early if you would like to get to know us a little or the sit requires special instruction.
* We are both fit and healthy, clean living and non-smoking and intent on leaving the smallest possible footprint wherever we go.
* Once we commit to your sit you can be assured we will be there. We have never let a home owner down.
* We are often asked to do repeat sits and are always very happy to do so if the timing fits with our current bookings. We have yet to meet a home/pet owner that we have not got on with. We attribute this to our shared love of pets and travel!
We have plenty of references which will confirm our reliability, honesty and self sufficiency while caring for your property and pets.
Your pets, your property, our priority!
Thank you for considering us for your sit.
Reviews (25)
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Jo - Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
11 October - 13 October 2017
A huge 'thank you' to James and Clare for looking after our four legged family whilst we had a quick break. They were fantastic with our dogs taking them on lengthy walks and entertaining them - and sending a couple of photos whilst we were away to set us at ease ;-) James & Clare are interes...
A huge 'thank you' to James and Clare for looking after our four legged family whilst we had a quick break. They were fantastic with our dogs taking them on lengthy walks and entertaining them - and sending a couple of photos whilst we were away to set us at ease ;-) James & Clare are interesting, positive, relaxed and confident people who immediately made us feel comfortable with leaving them in charge of our home (which was spotless on our return!). Their communication was great prior to the 'sit' - we even managed to meet up the previous week. We would have them back without any hesitation. Thank you again James & Clare xx
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Karen - Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
08 October - 09 October 2017
As soon as we met James and Clare I knew my two labs would be loved and looked after. They were a warm and friendly couple with lots of house sitting experience and obviously a practical and resourceful couple. We went away confident that we would return to a happy house.
Although it was a short ...As soon as we met James and Clare I knew my two labs would be loved and looked after. They were a warm and friendly couple with lots of house sitting experience and obviously a practical and resourceful couple. We went away confident that we would return to a happy house.
Although it was a short sit I would not hesitate to have James and Clare back for a longer sit, very happy indeed.- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Robina - Lochgilphead, United Kingdom
15 August - 23 August 2017
James and Clare are FANTASTIC housesitters. We met them for a short while before we left and knew immediately our three cats would be well looked after in our absence. They kept us updated with photos of very contented cats while we were away and it was obvious they loved animals . The house wa...
James and Clare are FANTASTIC housesitters. We met them for a short while before we left and knew immediately our three cats would be well looked after in our absence. They kept us updated with photos of very contented cats while we were away and it was obvious they loved animals . The house was spotless on our return . Couldn't ask for better housesitters and would thoroughly recommend them. If you are lucky enough to get them to housesit for you you will not be disappointed!
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
About James & Clare
We are a couple of non smoking, animal loving 51 year olds from the UK and New Zealand who enjoy travel and experiencing anything and everything our globe trotting life has to throw at us. We have over 35 house and pet sitting experiences in many countries, from small flats and mansions through to farms and small holdings and have loved every minute of it! We are lucky enough to have retired young, allowing us to become global citizens, travelling and house sitting full time. We are travellers, not tourists, and as such our primary focus is the care of your property and pets.
Please take time to view our video to get an idea of how well your pets will be cared for. We are true animal lovers and as our lifestyle precludes having our own pets, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to take care of yours. We treat them all like they are our own.
We are a couple of non smoking, animal loving 51 year olds from the UK and New Zealand who enjoy travel and experiencing anything and everything our globe trotting life has to throw at us. We have over 35 house and pet sitting experiences in many countries, from small flats and mansions through to farms and small holdings and have loved every minute of it! We are lucky enough to have retired young, allowing us to become global citizens, travelling and house sitting full time. We are travellers, not tourists, and as such our primary focus is the care of your property and pets.
Please take time to view our video to get an idea of how well your pets will be cared for. We are true animal lovers and as our lifestyle precludes having our own pets, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to take care of yours. We treat them all like they are our own.
Why we want to house sit
As passionate travellers and animal lovers we find that house and pet sitting combines these two loves perfectly. We prefer to live as locals wherever we travel and looking after your house and property is a great way to do this at the same time as giving you piece of mind that everything (and everyone) will be cared for while you enjoy some time away. We enjoy the company of animals especially and walking dogs is never viewed as a chore but more a chance to get out and discover the local environment. A win win for us both!
Follow us on our house and pet sitting journey around the world via our BLOG: jamesandclare dot blogspot dot com
Our experience
We bring many tools and knowledge to house sitting opportunities:
YOUR PETS
* As pet owners for most of our lives, we understand the importance of your pet/s to you. We will take the time to really get to know them, enjoying their company as you do and treating them as our own. We always miss them when we go.
* We have looked after, and catered to the needs of, a wide variety of animals. From pets that live inside the house (and on the bed) to working dogs who live outside. Farm animals, rescue dogs, pedigree pets, kittens and puppies. We have had them all at some stage. All of your pets needs will be met. We are just as happy to play with your boisterous pets as to sit quietly with the timid ones.
* We will happily step in and take care of the special needs of your animals .... be they behavioural, medical or otherwise. We have helped with the re-training of a “fear aggressive” rescue dog, and administered medication orally, topically and by injection to both farm animals and pets. The welfare of your pet will be of paramount importance to us.
* We will keep you posted during your absence by sending you photos of relaxed and happy pets having fun with us and being pampered.
* We are happy to be bound by the routine of your pets, taking your dog with us wherever we go if appropriate, sticking to regular feeding times and playing with your pets in the home. Walking dogs is never viewed as a chore, rather an opportunity to get out in the local community.
YOUR PROPERTY
* As home owners in the UK, we understand the importance of security and will be around daily to ensure a lived in feel and look to your home, airing it and/or keeping it warm as necessary.
* We are fully aware of the responsibility of looking after your home and will endeavour to sort out any issues that arise on our watch. We have not yet had to interrupt a home owner’s holiday as we are mindful it is YOUR break!
* As a handyman, James will bring peace of mind to fixing practical problems that may arise in your absence. Experienced at building and electrical work and with an ability to fix all manner of household items, a practical application along with a ton of common sense ... he is capable of solving most problems that may arise round the home.
* As keen gardeners we enjoy keeping the outdoors alive and under control as needed. We have mowed large acre lawns and small city plots, using a variety of tools from sit on mowers to strimmers and hand shears. We are equally capable with vegetable plots, flower gardens and temperamental indoor plants.
* We are happy to shovel snow, trim trees, chop wood and carry out any other chores required to keep the home fires burning.
* We will clean and tidy the house as you would. In fact our home owners often remark that the house is cleaner on their return than when they left!
OUR EXPERIENCE
* We have lived and house sat in the UK, Europe, Asia, North, Central & South Americas and New Zealand .... and look forward to many more corners of the earth.
* We have stayed in mansions with swimming pools and spas, small apartments in the city, large acreage farm properties, yachts, adobe huts in places with limited power and resources, off the grid, on the grid and everything in between. In the tropics with the bugs and pests and in the snow in sub zero temperatures. We have loved every minute of it.
* We are equally at home by the ocean, in the hills, in remote villages or in the city center, sitting for periods ranging from a single night to 6 months.
* We have lived in countries deemed to be safe and free; countries bound by century old traditions and religions, countries just emerging post civil war and countries that require special attention to our health and safety .
* We have driven every conceivable vehicle from one to 20 wheels! and varying powered and unpowered boats. We have both had full motorcycle and car driving licences for 30+ years, are used to driving on all manor of roads and tracks and on either side of the road .
* We have looked after small holdings with cattle, horses, pigs, goats, donkeys, sheep, chickens, alpacas and ducks and are experienced at feeding out and paddock rotation. We have also worked with sheep dogs on a sheep farm as you can see on our Waimate, NZ 2015 Blog video.
* We can operate in a number of languages including, but not exclusively English, French, Spanish & Nepali. We have sat in countries where we have had to learn the language as we go, which is not a problem to us. We are understanding and highly respectful of other’s cultures , religions and beliefs.
* We like to get involved in the communities where we sit, and one or both of us will often seek volunteer work locally if the sit is long enough.
OUR COMMITTMENT
* As professionals in our previous working lives, having owned our own and managed other people’s businesses, we are organised, reliable and thorough in our preparation for your sit.
* Our communication before and during your sit will ensure you feel at ease with both us and the house sitting process.
* We will follow your instructions in everything to do with your home and pets.
* We are technologically literate and whilst we like to have access to some internet, we don’t require it for work so are happy with slower service in remote areas.
* We will consider sits in all areas of the world, especially if we haven’t been before, and stay for as long as you need us. We have even stayed on to cater for delayed flights and endeavour not to book back to back sits for this reason.
* We are always happy to arrive early if you would like to get to know us a little or the sit requires special instruction.
* We are both fit and healthy, clean living and non-smoking and intent on leaving the smallest possible footprint wherever we go.
* Once we commit to your sit you can be assured we will be there. We have never let a home owner down.
* We are often asked to do repeat sits and are always very happy to do so if the timing fits with our current bookings. We have yet to meet a home/pet owner that we have not got on with. We attribute this to our shared love of pets and travel!
We have plenty of references which will confirm our reliability, honesty and self sufficiency while caring for your property and pets.
Your pets, your property, our priority!
Thank you for considering us for your sit.
Verifications
Verification level
Standard level
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
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Reptiles
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Horses
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Fish
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Poultry
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Farm animals
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Bird
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Small pet
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
James and Clare have done 25 house sits since 2013
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Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomOct 2017 -
Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomOct 2017 -
LochgilpheadUnited KingdomAug 2017 -
CambridgeUnited KingdomMay - Jul 2017 -
CalpSpainMar - Apr 2017 -
Bury St EdmundsUnited KingdomDec 2016 -
TamworthUnited KingdomNov - Dec 2016 -
BardwellUnited KingdomNov 2016 -
HornchurchUnited KingdomNov 2016 -
SierpeCosta RicaJul - Sep 2016 -
NovatoUnited StatesMar - Apr 2016 -
FolsomUnited StatesFeb - Mar 2016 -
UmbertideItalySep 2015 -
PewseyUnited KingdomAug 2015 -
CranleighUnited KingdomAug 2015 -
Hinton St GeorgeUnited KingdomJul 2015 -
DallingtonUnited KingdomJul 2015 -
LondonUnited KingdomJun - Jul 2015 -
Princes RisboroughUnited KingdomJun 2015 -
Mangere BridgeNew ZealandApr 2015 -
RussellNew ZealandFeb 2015 -
BournemouthUnited KingdomSep 2014 -
LiskeardUnited KingdomAug - Sep 2014 -
TauntonUnited KingdomMay 2014 -
MangereNew ZealandOct 2013
