Recently, we had a chat with Lisa Packard, who has been house-sitting locally in Boulder, Colorado, for the past seven years. Find out how Lisa landed her first house sit and where she hopes to head next.
Tell us a little bit about yourself—who you are, where you are from, and do you do it full-time or sporadically?
My name is Lisa Packard, and I live in Boulder, Colorado. I have been housesitting locally for the last seven years to supplement my income.
How many housesits have you had and where?
I have had at least one housesit a week for the last seven years – all local.

What was your favorite housesitting experience to date and why?
I have several favorite customers – their homes always feel lovely and their animals are so sweet!

Why did you do house sitting? What is the primary motivation?
My husband became ill several years ago and could not work. I love animals and saw an ad from someone in the next town looking for a house sitter. The rest is history.

How did you find out about housesitting?
what started out as a necessity turned into my dream job.
Pros of House Sitting
The pets, the fact that I can be choosy about what jobs I take, the money is fantastic, and my customers are the best!
Cons of House Sitting
It does take time away from my family, the fact that pets pass away.

Have you ever had to care for unusual pets or take on unconventional responsibilities?
Sure – I have taken care of amphibians, chickens, and rabbits and asked to take cats for walks.
What’s been the biggest adventure so far?
No adventures but funny stories and great animals!

How do you decide on a destination?
I would like to start housesitting internationally
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?
How many applications did you have to send before you got accepted for your first assignment? I was hired immediately, and now I have a ton of references and so many 5-star reviews locally.
Want to try House Sitting As Well?
There are thousands of opportunities to house sit around the world!
Learn how to become a house sitter with no experience
Have you had any funny housesitting experiences?
You name it, it has happened.
Tips for Others Wanting to Get Started?
Just do it, but make sure that you love animals – if you don’t, you will hate your job.
Where to next (when you can)
I want to start housesitting internationally and want to know how I can get started. (From Britt, I have some resources here about getting started with house sitting internationally, so this will help both Lisa and anyone reading who would also like to get started.
Want to Read More House Sitting Stories?
We have interviewed over 60 housesitters, full-time, part-time, retirees, digital nomads, and house-sitting families.
See more house-sitting stories here.
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.
