Practical pet and house sitting advice from Aunty Kaz

Kia ora, I’m Aunty Kaz, experienced pet and house sitter, full-time remote worker, and the person behind this growing collection of practical resources for full-time sitters. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about what makes a sit go smoothly, the questions worth asking, the things to look out for, and the little details that can make all the difference.

Now I’m sharing that experience to help other people feel more confident about getting started and finding their feet in the world of pet and house sitting.

New to pet and house sitting?

Not sure where to begin? My free Aunty Kaz's Guide to Pet & House Sitting is a good place to start. It walks you through what’s involved, the questions to ask, and practical things to consider before taking the plunge.

You’ll also find shorter Overviews and handy Checklists covering specific stages of the journey — from choosing a platform and spotting scams to preparing for interviews, meeting homeowners, and packing for your first sit.

Explore the Overviews and Checklists →

Real stories, lessons learned!

These resources are built around the real-life side of sitting: communicating clearly with homeowners, understanding expectations, keeping yourself and your belongings safe, and making sure the pets and homes in your care get the attention they deserve.

Whether you’re considering your very first sit or already have a few under your belt, I hope you’ll find something here that makes the experience easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

And yes, I really do look after the pets!

Aunty Kaz grew out of my own life as a full-time pet and house sitter. I’ve cared for dogs, cats, parrots, horses, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even the occasional rat. Every animal has their own personality and routine, and I believe good sitting starts with patience, clear communication, and treating each pet as an individual.

I’m a non-smoker and a cosy-night-in person rather than a party one. My sitting calendar is now largely booked for the coming year, so this website is increasingly focused on sharing what I’ve learned with the wider sitting community.

Don’t take my word for it — here’s what pet owners say about me
Aussie House Sitters logo

★★★★★
This was the second time Kaz looked after our house, dog, cat, chickens and ducks and once again we were very happy with the arrangement. Kaz stayed in our house for 5 weeks over Christmas and New Year and coped with immense amounts of rain which flooded the chicken coop on two occasions, so she did not have an easy time. However, she took it all in her stride, communicated with us throughout and all was well. We have already re-booked Kaz for the same time next year!
- Annabel, Sandgate, Brisbane

Check out more of my reviews on Aussie House Sitters.

Kiwi House Sitters logo

★★★★★
Kaz is a great house-sitter and we believe you won't find anyone as conscientious, reliable and trustworthy. Our cat Muffin is fussy but she and Kaz quickly established a nice rapport. Kaz helped us cover all things that sitters need to know by giving us a check-list she has compiled through her long experience with house-sitting in many parts of NZ and Australia. So, thanks very much Kaz. Hope other people and animals have the pleasure of meeting you as we did.
- Alan, Otumoetai, Tauranga

Check out more of my reviews on Kiwi House Sitters.

TrustedHousesitters logo

★★★★★
Kaz was a lovely house sitter. Lots of personality, tidy, dedicated and kind. My cats seemed calm and happy upon my arrival. My group contracted covid towards the end of our trip and it was such a relief to come home to a clean and well cared for home. Thank you Karolyn!!! We were lucky to have you.
- Kaelin, Austin, Texas

Check out more of my reviews from my time with Trusted Housesitters.

Because every pet deserves an Aunty Kaz!