Skip to main content

TrustedHousesitters Is Like Free Airbnb for Pet-Lovers

dog walking
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do you love pets and travel and not paying for hotel rooms? How would you like to stay in an exotic Italian villa full of kittens or on a swanky Hong Kong houseboat with a lovable rescue bulldog — and pay next to nothing for the privilege? TrustedHousesitters is just what you’re seeking.

The gist of the site is simple. There are countless home- and pet-owners who would love to travel the world but can’t bear to leave their pet alone or in the care of strangers. There are also countless others — read virtually every sane, breathing human — who would love to travel the world without paying for accommodations. TrustedHousesitters provides that connection between travel-hungry pet owners and budget-minded housesitters.

Like most online marketplaces — eBay, Etsy, Airbnb — registered sitters establish a profile which is verified through a multi-point system, including global identity checks and criminal background screening. They choose the details of their preferred “sit,” like where, when, and what types of pets they’re interested in. The site then provides regular email alerts whenever a matched sit is available. As long as sitters are reasonably flexible with their travel dates, it’s easy to travel for weeks or months every year.

It’s a hyper-competitive market since there are far more housesitters looking for a sit than there are houses to be sat. The most successful housesitters upload videos, provide extensive references, and go the extra mile to prove to prospective home and pet owners that they’re doing it as much for their love of pets as for their love of travel. Pet owners often love their pets as much as parents love their children, so they understandably want boatloads of reassurance that they’re leaving their pets in good hands.

Each homeowner/pet-owner likewise receives a verified profile with similar background screening. They then outline the details of their home (size, location, and amenities) and their pets (how many, age, and general disposition).

If you’re the sort who prefers an Airbnb-style stay (compared to a traditional hotel) with a legit local feel, just consider some of the amazing properties TrustedHousesitters makes available to you. This stunning, three-bedroom Tuscan farmhouse is home to three cats and boasts a swimming pool and sweeping valley views. This modern barn-style home is on a New Zealand avocado farm just five minutes from a beautiful beach. This luxury houseboat in Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Marina is home to a sweet rescue bulldog.

Registration is USD $119 annually for both homeowners/pet-owner. The fee includes unlimited travel or sits respectively, plus access to a free vet care advice line and a host of other benefits.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
New Delta Skymiles changes have members fuming mad, and now Delta Air Lines risks losing faithful customers
Delta Airlines might have screwed up in a big way this time
delta skymiles changes sven piper osazgds9aag unsplash

Delta Air Lines recently introduced significant changes to its SkyMiles program, aiming to simplify the process of earning rewards. While the airline's intention might have been to streamline the experience, these changes have left many customers deeply upset and dissatisfied. Not only do these alterations make it increasingly challenging for loyal passengers to enjoy coveted perks like access to the SkyLounge, but they also demand an exorbitant amount of spending to achieve and maintain status within the program.
The changes to Delta SkyMiles
Delta Air Lines, as one of the last big three U.S. airlines to make such a transition, has now definitively shifted toward a spending-based system for status qualification. On the surface, this might seem like a logical evolution for frequent flyer programs, but a deeper dive reveals the concerns that have customers up in arms.

To attain status in the new program, travelers must open their wallets wider than ever before. Delta's official website announces everything you need to know.

Read more
This Chrome extension can find you cheap flights that Google Flights can’t
Need to book a flight? Try this Chrome plugin instead of Google Flights
airplane taking off on a runway at sunset

It's no secret that Google Flights is great — it shows you flight options from across the web for your chosen itinerary, allows you to adjust dates and specs to fit your needs, and is just an all-around great tool for travelers. But it doesn't always find the cheapest flights. Even if it does pull up the most affordable flight available, that particular flight might not necessarily be the best option for you. But Travel Arrow is here to change that.

Like most awesome things on the internet, Travel Arrow is making waves on TikTok. The tool can help you find the best cheap flight for your needs, and based on the comments section, people are stoked to see another travel hack to help make saving money on flights even better. No more keeping 15 browser tabs open to bounce back and forth and calculate which flight route will get you the most bang for your buck. Now, a simple Chrome extension can do all the work for you. 

Read more
Plan a trip to see some incredible fall foliage: 7 stellar spots across the U.S.
The fall colors will be gorgeous in these travel destinations
A pop of fall color in Oak Glen, California (in the San Bernardino Mountains).

The weather is cooler. The nights are longer. The tree leaves are starting to change colors. Finally, fall is here. And now, we have to think about where to go to find the best fall foliage.

Whether you need a quick weekend getaway, a nice change of scenery as you "work from home", or another good reason to travel for great fall foliage, we have you covered. As we enter into a new season, let’s discover some new ideas for fall travel. Come for the colorful fall foliage, and stay for the stunning mountain views, the friendly locals, various pleasant surprises, and a whole lot of good vibes. 

Read more