Catsitting, plant sitting and housesitting all around the world

My cat sitter history and experience

One a blue Monday I have been a catsitter. Nowadays I check mainly on social media cat-and housesitting opportunities, since I would still like to catsit/travel one day. Where does the word petsitting or catsitting comes from? You don't sit on a cat... it is not so easy when you like to do it well. 

In my backpack years, I used couch surfing as a medium to meet and greet other people. Learn about others and other cultures in an intense and deep way (other blog). I really liked couchsurfing and staying with people and be part of their every day lives. Until now I am still in contact with some people, or at least I consider them being close to my heart (by memory) Nuch (Thailand), Bunty (India), Javid (India), Kali (India), Siti (Malaysia), Elma (Malaysia), Christian (Canada), Jeco (Philippines), Jimmy (Indonesia). At one point my house was the headquarters of CS Quezon City. 

At one point I was more a working nomad, taking a break from my usual surroundings and trying to stay somewhere else (as in another city or country) low budget and a longer period of time. Couchsurfing was still on my agenda, but more being active in meet-ups. Working and immersing in another culture is more time consuming, staying over and sharing experiences and stories doesn't fit. So...

I became sort of by coincidence a cat sitter! I grew up with cats and I do really like cats. So it doesn't feel like a job. Do not say it out loud, but I don't have experience with dogs so I (think I) won't be a good dog sitter. People from the cat- and dog sitting communities think that cat sitters are the lazy ones, not wanting to spend time with a dog. 

I checked all the social media groups, but decided to ask a cat sitting acquaintance how best to go about it.. She referred me to a cat sitting house in Singapore. The house was in need of a cat sitter, since the cat would poop and pie months (revenge) after the owners got back from their holiday. 

I stayed for one month, in a condo with my own guest bedroom. The cleaning lady also had a break, but would come back a couple of days before the family would come back and do the final cleaning. The cat was adorable. I worked, I sat by the pool, I ate Singaporean food, I visited some acquaintances and did things a "normal" tourist would not do. One month in Singapore is almost living in Singapore. I am sort of environmental conscious and didn't use much electricity. No airconditioning for me (low bill). The family asked me again, the only thing was that it was during the time I was not really around.. 

Nowadays catsitting is still on my list to do one day definitely for sure. I became a member of Pawshake and TrustedHousesitters. You have many choices (many animals to take care of (cats, dogs, horses, chicken, fishes, rats) or plants or houses) and you can go to many places in the world. Gain experiences and meet other people...