Liz Bradley sets up Homesit service in Northland

Liz Bradley has set up a home-sit service benefiting owners, sitters and pets. Photo / John Stone

Liz Bradley is setting up a branch of her nationwide Homesit business in Northland.

Homesit looks after the pets and homes of people who may be going on holiday, going into hospital or going away on business.

The service provides "the perfect solution", offering in-home care for one or multiple pets.

Ms Bradley said it differs from other housesitting companies, or people who do this privately, in that it is "hands on", ensuring sitters have police clearances, references are checked and feedback is collected from homeowners when sitters complete a sit.

A lot of housesitting businesses are purely online, she said, mostly operated from outside New Zealand and with no safeguards, totally owner beware or, in some cases, "sitter" beware.

"We find that the peace of mind we offer our owners converts them into regular users and long-term friends."

Ms Bradley, who arrived in New Zealand from England in 1984, started Homesit 26 years ago in Auckland. It was the first company of its type in New Zealand, she said.

"I started it because I could see a gap in the market which still exists today, what to do with pets who are either too old, too young, or not vaccinated, therefore unsuitable to put into kennels or catteries, or if there is a multiple number such as on lifestyle blocks.

"I started trying to run the business to cover the whole country from Auckland, but now we have area owners throughout New Zealand, from Christchurch to our latest branch run by myself, Northland."

Ms Bradley, who recently bought a home in Whangarei, said she wanted to offer the service here because she knew it had great benefits for owners, sitters and pets.

Sitters are found via the website www.homesit.co.nz and also Facebook and Neighbourly.

She also talks to people in the retired age group who are still lively and active and who may welcome the opportunity to have a change of scene, either around the same area, or anywhere around the country.

"All we ask is that they love pets, are reasonably house proud and adaptable."

There is no joining fee for Northland because it is a "start-up" area, and Gold Card holders are never charged because they are preferred sitters, having freedom to travel.

Once signed up there is no pressure on sitters to do any number of sits in a year, or for them to stay in Northland. Sitters receive a weekly listing of all the sits coming up throughout the country and can apply for any they wish.

Ms Bradley was quick to point out that this is not paid employment or an accommodation service, it is just a way to enjoy a different lifestyle and maybe "borrow" someone else's pets for a while.

Costs to the homeowner are very reasonable and if they have more than one pet there is no comparison, she said.

"Pets seem so much happier to stay in their own environment, having their usual bed, favourite food and soon make friends with the sitter, especially when walks are mentioned.

"From the owners' point of view, they can go away happy that the property is occupied so less at risk of burglaries, pets are cared for and all our sitters are happy to send a weekly newsletter to owners to reassure them that all is going well."