personHouse sitter

Rob

Clean living animal lover

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at House Sitters America, United States. User Clean living animal lover

About me

personSingle

51, gardener, computer technician, musician

sellRates
From $60/day or $360/week

Lower rates for longer sits & always negotiable!
Over the course of the past 30 years I have provided house sitting services for many people including in Australia, England and the USA. Born in Australia, my first travel to the USA was at age 21 when a friend in Sydney invited me to attend a conference with him in Hawaii focused on various emerging computer technologies including the Internet. The invitation was due my already excellent technical skills in such areas.

A connection made at this conference led to a contract job in northern ... Read more
Over the course of the past 30 years I have provided house sitting services for many people including in Australia, England and the USA. Born in Australia, my first travel to the USA was at age 21 when a friend in Sydney invited me to attend a conference with him in Hawaii focused on various emerging computer technologies including the Internet. The invitation was due my already excellent technical skills in such areas.

A connection made at this conference led to a contract job in northern California, where I worked as the project manager of a private email system roll out for an organization with members all around the globe. This contract job was during the summer months of 1996 and so began my love of the Pacific Coast of north America. It was also during these months that I did one of my first notable house and pet sits, which included looking after a 200 pound English Mastiff for a number of weeks (he was an incredibly sweet guy too!).

Over the decade from 1996 to 2006 I worked as a computer professional in Sydney, London and northern California. Until the end of the 1990s I was based in Sydney, from 2000 to 2003 I was based in London, then from 2003 to early 2006 once again in Sydney. Over this decade I visited northern California periodically for work and leisure reasons, making perhaps five visits averaging about a month each in length during these years.

Due the nature of my lifestyle with moving back and forth between countries, I ended up doing quite a few periods of house sitting for a variety of people. Everything from taking care of an apartment and goldfish to looking after a several acre property with dogs, cats and chickens.

As a confirmed animal lover I have had both dog and cat (and chicken, and various other animal) friends over the course of my whole life since birth. So meeting and looking after new furry (and feathered, and even sometimes scaled) friends is always an enjoyment for me. Beyond these more common household animals I also have quite good experience with goats (feeding, general care and even milking) as well as some basic experience looking after cows and horses.

In 2006 I lived in northern California on a "working holiday" for nine months doing a variety of jobs including day labor on rural properties, as I wanted new experiences outside technical and office work. Over these months I did several house sits and also decided that I would like to return to live in California, which I did in late 2007. It was then that I applied for and gained my USA permanent residency (green card) and as part of that process I did of course have a full police and FBI check (I do not have a criminal record).

Over the past 16 or so years my life has involved regular travel back and forth between northern California and Australia. This is due me wanting to maintain strong connections to my family down under as well as my friends in both Australia and California. During these years I have provided house sitting services for numerous people on both sides of the Pacific.

When in northern California my main home since late 2007 has been a five acre property owned by friends (in rural Lake County) though I have chosen to also keep doing house sitting at various times. This is so that I can continue enjoying the new views and experiences provided by moving around to different towns and places.

As a house sitter my intention is to leave any place I stay in better condition than when I arrived. This includes ensuring that all is at least as clean and tidy as it was left for me, animals are fed and looked after with plenty of affection and attention, plus ensuring plants and gardens are well watered with any other chores properly attended to as needed. A simple summary is that I want the home and animals and plants all to feel really good when the folk whose home it is arrive back!

So if you would like a clean living animal lover with over 30 years of house sitting experience to look after your home and beloved animals while you are away then please do get in touch.

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Pet care

petsWilling to care for these pets

DogsDogs
CatsCats
FishFish
BirdsBirds
Rabbits/Guinea PigsRabbits/Guinea Pigs
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese
Farm AnimalsFarm Animals
HorsesHorses
ReptilesReptiles

Trust

Platinum member36 months+
reviews5 star reviews

Availability

eventNext 6 months

May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct

eventCurrent bookings

2025: 22 May - 15 Jun | 21-30 Jul

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

1 - 2 weeks, 2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

California, Nevada, Oregon


Reviews (11)

Rob was very easy to work with. He left the house in great shape and our dogs had been obviously well-attended to. He didn’t panic when one of the dogs had an upset stomach in the middle of the night. We felt fortunate that he sat for us.
No rating
Rob was a wonderful house sitter. He was easy to relate to, a clear communicator, clean, organized and very helpful. He took an interest in our dog and took him hiking and paid care to all of my animal. I felt very certain that I had made the right choice in choosing him to care for my home, plants and pets while I was away. I would ask him to house and pet sit for me again.
No rating
Rob was our first ever house-sitter, and it was a wonderful experience for us! He kept our garden and plants alive through some extremely hot weather, such that they were absolutely thriving when we came back, and took great care of our cat (even though she was a bit of a jerk!). We even came back to a house that was cleaner than when we left, which was a great surprise. I would highly highly recommend Rob for any homeowner!
No rating
Rob made our month long trip overseas worry free! He cared for our cat and our house- everything was in perfect order and our cat was happy when we returned. We're so glad he was able to sit for us and hope that he is available should we need a sitter in the future. Thanks Rob!
No rating
Rob house sat for us twice this year and I'm so sorry this endorsement is so late. Rob took time to speak to us ahead of arrival, get to know us a bit, get to hear about our dog and where we live. It really put us at ease to have a good conversation with a good human. Rob took excellent care of our home and our dog and we came back to a cleaner house than we left. Rob explored the area with our dog and took him on plenty of on and off leash walks. He shares a love for the outdoors with our ... MoreRob house sat for us twice this year and I'm so sorry this endorsement is so late. Rob took time to speak to us ahead of arrival, get to know us a bit, get to hear about our dog and where we live. It really put us at ease to have a good conversation with a good human. Rob took excellent care of our home and our dog and we came back to a cleaner house than we left. Rob explored the area with our dog and took him on plenty of on and off leash walks. He shares a love for the outdoors with our boy :) . Thanks Rob for taking such good care of our 4 legged baby and of our home. It was so nice to come back to a tidy house and a happy puppy. It was also so nice to meet you and learn a little about you. I would highly recommend Rob as a house sitter, trustworthy and respectful and just a really nice person.

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No rating
Rob took care of my house and cats for three weeks in April. When I travel, I fly stand-by, so I was very grateful that Rob was very flexible about dates and could accommodate some uncertainty on my part. He did a terrific job taking care of my house, leaving it cleaner than when I left home; he watered my plants, never touched my chocolate cache (although he would have been welcome to), brought in the mail, changed the sheets and did laundry for me before he left, and even repaired my vacuum ... MoreRob took care of my house and cats for three weeks in April. When I travel, I fly stand-by, so I was very grateful that Rob was very flexible about dates and could accommodate some uncertainty on my part. He did a terrific job taking care of my house, leaving it cleaner than when I left home; he watered my plants, never touched my chocolate cache (although he would have been welcome to), brought in the mail, changed the sheets and did laundry for me before he left, and even repaired my vacuum cleaner. And he sent me notes about and photos of my cats, so I felt that they were being well-taken care of while I was away. I would very definitely ask Rob to come to house and cat-sit for me again. I can recommend him without reservation.

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No rating
Leaving our pups in Robs care was the best decision ever. We had to fly over seas and it would be the first time we were leaving them for a long stretch and being so far away. Also the first time we were leaving our home in someone elses care. Rob gave us updates on the pups and sent pictures to ease my mind.. They were having a lot of fun. Too my surprise we came home to a clean well kept up home. That says a lot considering our lab sheds like crazy and it had been raining almost the whole ... MoreLeaving our pups in Robs care was the best decision ever. We had to fly over seas and it would be the first time we were leaving them for a long stretch and being so far away. Also the first time we were leaving our home in someone elses care. Rob gave us updates on the pups and sent pictures to ease my mind.. They were having a lot of fun. Too my surprise we came home to a clean well kept up home. That says a lot considering our lab sheds like crazy and it had been raining almost the whole time we were gone. I truly expected 10 days of hair pile up and lots of mud. Not at all. Rob cared wonderfully for our home and our pups. It was such a pleasant surprise. The kind we can only dream of usually. We truly are so grateful for his genuin caring and looking after our home and dogs so thoughtfully. We certainly highly recommend him to anyone needing someone who will care for your home and animals as you do. Peace of mind goes a long way. We will be calling on Rob for our.future needs and hope he is available..

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No rating
Rob was such a lovely sitter! He was very kind and trustworthy. He watched our dog Thomas and I really came to appreciate how he described my dog and got to know him. It was very sweet. He left my home neat and clean and even washed the sheets! What a pleasure! I would whole heartedly have Rob housesit for us again. Thanks Rob!
No rating
Rob took care of my home, pets (2 dogs and 5 chickens), and yard for over two months in the most exceptional way and exceeded my expectations by far. Since this was a relatively long sit, Rob put my mind quickly at ease and I could concentrate on my work. I was confident he had everything under control at the home front and I never had to worry while away! He is also a genuinely kind person and gave my dogs the utmost attention. He took them on many long walks and hikes in the surrounding ... MoreRob took care of my home, pets (2 dogs and 5 chickens), and yard for over two months in the most exceptional way and exceeded my expectations by far. Since this was a relatively long sit, Rob put my mind quickly at ease and I could concentrate on my work. I was confident he had everything under control at the home front and I never had to worry while away! He is also a genuinely kind person and gave my dogs the utmost attention. He took them on many long walks and hikes in the surrounding area, which they enjoyed thoroughly. He definitely spoiled them, because, now that I'm home again they are expecting me to do the same :-) Rob updated me on their well-being on a weekly basis and also sent me pictures of their adventures. The dogs were certainly very happy campers under Rob's care! Rob also took very well care of the house and yard. He reported back to me anything that was worth reporting of and left the home tidy and spotless, just the way I had left it (or better). He even made sure there were fresh eggs and milk available to me when I got home! Loved it! I would recommend Rob to anyone without reservations and can only hope he is available for me again next time I need a house sitter. Thank you Rob!!

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No rating
Rob was such a terrific house sitter! The animals were so well cared for and he took such good care of our home. We highly recommend Rob for anyone looking for a responsible, considerate and thoughtful house and pet sitter. We hope Rob is available next time we leave town!
No rating
We want to give a high recommendation for Rob. He cared for our pets, and our home as if they were his own. We completely lucked out when we placed an ad with only a few days notice. Rob came over the evening before we left. It was clear our pups and our home were in good hands. I read in his profile that he likes to leave the home in better condition than when he arrived. Sure enough, it was true. I had broken a pane of glass in the front of our house. I was out of time so I just covered ... MoreWe want to give a high recommendation for Rob. He cared for our pets, and our home as if they were his own. We completely lucked out when we placed an ad with only a few days notice. Rob came over the evening before we left. It was clear our pups and our home were in good hands. I read in his profile that he likes to leave the home in better condition than when he arrived. Sure enough, it was true. I had broken a pane of glass in the front of our house. I was out of time so I just covered it up so the city squirrels and such wouldn't walk on it. Even though it was completely out of the way, Rob had cleaned it up before we got home! One of our sensors for our house alarm fell so our alarm went off. I let Rob know I'd received a call from the alarm company and there was nothing to worry about. He went back home anyways, stuck the sensor back on the door with gorilla tape, reset the alarm, and went back to what he was doing. The entire house was spotless when we returned home. Rather than leave the bedding and towels and such in the laundry, they were washed and put back. Our garden vegetables, fruit trees, and house plants were thriving as well. Our dogs were well cared for. We have a sweet, very old (and very tall) Chihuahua. It takes a good person to care for her so well. We also have a fun and friendly Dachshund mix that ALL the neighborhood dog owners know. It was pretty cool to come home and hear from the neighborhood dog owners how nice Rob was, and how well he was treating our 2 small dogs. Besides being a genuinely down to earth guy, he's very thoughtful about a person's home and pets. Another thing I really liked was that he went out to some local museums and hiking trails and other attractions. That's probably too long of a review. but it was such a treat to have someone get such good use of our home and treat it so well. Thanks Rob! You're welcome here anytime.

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