Recently, we had a chat with Kelly. She provides an epic service called Airnbeast. Not only does she travel Canada in her campervan house sitting, but she also gives business owners the chance to have a holiday while she keeps it running for them.
Read on to find out how she cared for a yacht, a crab, and a caterpillar!
Tell us a little about yourself – who are you, where are you from, and do you do it full-time or sporadically?
From 2004 to 2018, I owned a dog-walking business in Toronto. Before that, I worked in hospitality and offered small business sitting.
I sit full-time since I don’t have a regular home; I live in my camper, which is only liveable in the warm Canadian months.
How many housesits have you had and where?
Many. Mostly in Toronto. Since COVID I’ve been on Vancouver Island BC
Why do you housesit? What is the main motivation?
Animals are my people, so this is a great way for me to hang with them, travel, and be free to go wherever I like.
How did you find out about house sitting?
It was part of my business, but I discovered the exchange platform while researching it while on the road.
Was it hard for you to secure your first housesitting gig? How many applications did you have to send before you got accepted for your first assignment?
The first sit I applied for (Trusted House Sitters) was in July at a hobby farm on Salt Spring Island, BC.
There were a lot of applications, and I got a response minutes after I applied. I think my vast experience gets me to the front of the line—not always, but most times.
Pros of House Sitting?
Travel. Beautiful settings. Animals. A way to fund my travels.
Have you had any funny housesitting experiences?
It’s not funny, haha, but interesting. I’ve never accepted a sit sight unseen, but being nomadic is different.
I had a guy call and say he’d be in a nearby town to go to a fishing lodge with his buddies.
Would I mind staying on his yacht and taking care of his dog? Um, let me think… YES! That was a fun weekend.
How do you decide on a destination?
Ideally, I go to an area on my bucket list, but sometimes I end up where I need to be, like four months on a mountain since it was a set place for most of the winter.
Cons of House Sitting?
Since I work full time, it’s tricky to stitch the sits together without filling in the gaps with accommodations.
Fortunately, great friends tolerated me when I needed a place to crash. They also get free pet sitting.
What’s been the biggest adventure so far?
Aside from the actual cashing in my condo, dissolving a successful business, and hitting the road at 60.
I did a 4 month winter sit in a remote area in BC, pretty much on a mountain.
It was just me, my dog Booboo (she passed in 2019), three Frenchies, and a lone coyote who kept us company at a distance. I thought I’d like the “Living on an Island” thing, but I discovered I prefer a more populated area.
I learned a lot about myself in those four months.
Where has been your favorite house sit?
I honestly don’t have a favorite; they are all so different. I loved going to San Francisco and, later, Santa Barbera. California is awesome!
How much luggage do you travel with?
My whole life is in my camper.
Did you ever have any unusual pets to take care of or responsibilities that were out of the norm?
I’ve had to keep a child’s caterpillar alive, and once, I had to feed a crab-type thing in an aquarium with chopsticks. Sometimes, the clients can be unusual.
Tips for others wanting to get started?
Be sure this is what you want. It’s not a cheap lifestyle, especially when you factor in travel and interim accommodations. It’s good to have a plan B.
Where to next (when you can)
I’m so busy right now. I’ll be staying on Vancouver Island until the fall. The plan is to head back to Ontario in the fall.
Ideally, I’d like to be east in the winter (I prefer snow to damp) and the coast in the summer (Vancouver Island is a camping Meca with lots of beautiful parks and hardly any bugs).
Where to find out more about Kelly: her Facebook and Site
Need Help Getting Started With House Sitting?
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So, if you need help starting your house-sitting journey, see my resources here, and don’t hesitate to contact me and ask me any questions.
Author: Britt
I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.
I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.
Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.
I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Jay and me here!
Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.
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