House Sitting in Braintree

About: A lifelong animal lover and advocate with hands-on experience caring for animals of all shapes, sizes and temperaments - from growing up with rescue pets to professional experience as a dog walker more recently, where I handled up to 4 dogs at a time. Today, I’m a proud mum to Rico, our sweet and playful 2 yr old Husky x Mastiff, who's very friendly and always keen to make new pals - big and small! Adopting Rico has taught me even more about handling and training strong, energetic breeds with confidence, patience and a whoole lotta love 💝 As a heads up for first-time bookings, a free meet & greet would be needed ahead of any Daycare requests, while a trial day - offered at 20% off the full price - would need to be completed ahead of any planned Boarding. New Rover users also get £15 off their first booking with the below link! https://www.rover.com/sit/chels21350 Being home based full-time, I am flexible throughout the days all week to give pets in my care all the attention, walks, tickles and toys they might need. I know first-hand how important it is to feel at ease when leaving your fur bby in someone else’s hands, so I prioritise communication, consistency in individually tailored care and genuine affection in every visit! We live in a spacious and secure 2 bed flat, and while I don't have a garden specifically, I do have a decent-sized and shaded balcony with secure high railings and plenty of space to spread out for some fresh air with views over the canal in the downtime between walks. With cats, I wouldn't feel comfortable giving them access to the balcony, but they can soak up the sun spots and views through large lounge windows instead. Other sociable cats and dogs would be the ideal houseguests due to Rico being quite playful, but my partner can also keep him separately at his house Friday - Monday if that would make your pet more comfortable. Some more advanced notice may be needed to work around existing plans and appointments but we'll try our best to accommodate! I can also cater to any specific diets, schedules or administering oral medicines - for overnight stays I just ask that you provide their usual food to keep things consistent and comfortable while they're away from home, and you're welcome to bring anything that might bring them xtra comfort if needs be 💝 For added peace of mind all-round, dogs need to be microchipped and come with their collar and ID tag please. If you think things could be a good fit or you have any questions, just drop me a line ☺️

“Nadia cared for Bella and Finn in our home for four days. She was caring, friendly and always letting us know how our babies were doing. Our babies and our home were well cared for!”

Ken M.

“Janine done a house sit for Bodhi. This was his first time left with someone, and also at home. Janine done an amazing job and bodhi was a very happy chap when I arrive back home the following day.”

Stewart W.

“Chloe is very friendly and has a calm, relaxed energy - perfect for keeping my pups from getting agitated when I left them with her. She was very attentive and communicative as well.”

Giada G.

“Eleanor looked after our boy for the first time recently. He responded very well to her immediately, it was as if we weren’t in the room and no longer required😂 We came home to a very relaxed & happy dog. We are looking forward to Eleanor caring for him when we are away”

Jill P.

About: I grew up with dogs, and have a sweet, energetic and friendly dog, called Boo-Boo. We regularly have play dates and every day we have long off lead walks on the fields or in the forest. We also have three big parks just a few minutes away, so we go out to play with other doggies and chase balls. I offer 2 long walks a day (45 minutes +), plus tonnes of playtime at home, so perfect for energetic doggies. If your pooch however needs less exercise, no problem, we'd be happy to adjust to needs, just let me know. I work from home Monday to Friday. Our walks: Mornings: we go for a walk for about 60 minutes before work. Off lead on the fields and forest to burn off energy. Lunch time: 20 minutes run and play in the park. (Weather and work dependent) Evening: another longer, about 60 minutes or longer walk or play in the park. During winter months when it gets dark fast, we go on a road walk on lead. If your dog need less exercise, we can skip one or two of the walks. I’m flexible. During the day, while I’m working, your dog can chill in the daybed next to me, or play with my dog. In the evening after walk and dinner we chill together in the living room. Having a young dog myself, I know how precious they are, and well aware not to leave anything harmful within reach. Safety is #1. Your dog will feel home away from home. I’ve looked after a few guest doggies already, and they all were very happy and loved being with us. They all became returning customers. I also send you daily updates, pictures and videos for your piece of mind.

About: I treat every pet like they’re my own. Whether it’s keeping up with a puppy’s energy, giving extra patience and care to senior pets, or just sticking to the routines they love, I make sure they feel safe and happy while you’re away. I’m happy to help with things like giving medication, extra walks, or last minute schedule changes. You’ll get regular updates and photos so you can relax knowing your pet is in good hands. I have plenty of time to give pets the attention they deserve. On weekends I’m free for walks, drop-ins, or overnight stays, and during the week I’m available in the late afternoons and evenings. Whether it’s an evening walk or weekend company, I can fit around your pet’s routine so they feel happy and cared for. When caring for pets in their own home, I focus on keeping their routine consistent so they feel safe and relaxed. Whether I’m house sitting, doing drop-in visits, or walking dogs, I follow any instructions you provide and treat your home with respect and care. On walks, I make sure your dog gets good exercise and stays safe at all times.

“Charlotte was brilliant! Great communications, really friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. Our two lurchers were looked after so well as was the house. We would 100% use her services again and would recommend her too anyone. Top class! 👍👏”

Martin D.

“We have a very anxious dog and some small animals so Suzy stayed at our house for a week to look after them whilst we went on holiday. We was regularly updated and the pets seemed happy and well looked after on our return. Would definitely recommend. Thank you Suzy! Xx”

Clare S.

“Amber was absolutely amazing with our mini Poodle. He took to her straight away and seemed confident and comfortable in her company! As requested Amber sent us lots of lovely piccies of them both on thier adventures and he looked very happy! I would have no hesitation in recommending Amber and will definitely be keeping in touch for future stays.”

Tammy S.

About: I have been taking care of dogs for 16 years, friends and family always trust me to take care of their pets, walk, feed, bath and of course play! I live with my partner Luke around the beautiful Essex countryside with wonderful walks just on our doorstep and the place we like to go walking the most. We absolutely love dogs but due to work commencements during the week we can't have our own. Be assured your dog will get plenty of love and attention in our home :) I'm more than happy to do a meet and greet with you and your pet so you can feel at ease leaving them with us. I will also provide you with regular updates and pictures during their stay so you can see how they are getting on. Your Dog will love the home from home experience at ours :) We are available on our “out of office” days for dog boarding, Friday evenings from 5pm and all day Saturday, Sundays and Bank Holidays too. We have a nice medium size grassed garden with plenty of shaded areas, it is gated and fenced off for your dog to safely play in.

“Katie was absolutely perfect. Bentley felt so comfortable and safe that he cuddled straight up to her! I felt totally comfortable leaving Katie in our home with our boy & would highly recommend to anyone. Will definitely use again when needed in the future x”

Kayleigh O.

“Thank you so much for having Bailey at such short notice. He's had so much fun and with constant company and new walks. Thanks, highly recommend”

Julian H.

“Heather came to look after my dog and cats while we were away. She done a fantastic job and our animals were very well taken care of and loved all the fuss that they got. Would highly recommend Heather, brilliant and reliable service.”

Danielle A.

About: Can also cover Braintree/Colchester area - I’ve grown up with and taken care of cats and dogs since a young girl. We have always had 2 dogs, first being a Jack Russell and a Staff. I cared for our beautiful dog Ralf (staff) alone every single day during covid whilst family were out working. We now have 2 crazy but wonderful French Bulldogs which I also help to care for, so I have never not been around animals! Every year for the past 3 years I have taken care of a family friend and work colleagues cats whilst they have been on holiday. This was overnight stays in their home which always proves trustworthy. I currently have a full time job Mon - Fri however 3 days per week (Mon, Tues and Thurs) I work from home. So I can easily take some time to come out and help with your pets. I can also be available on weekends with some notice. Our French Bulldogs do suffer from separation anxiety, so I have taken special measures before to help them feel at ease. A crate was used specifically for this so I had no issue putting the dogs in there. They also have sensitive stomachs so have to be fed and watered in small amounts throughout the day so I am organised. Even small touches like leaving the radio on for them to calm their nerves.

“We have booked Elias a few times now ro stay woth Gizmo in our hime when we go away. We are always so happy with how he looks after Gizmo. I get updates and pictures of their time together and Giz is always so happy to see Elias. Would highly reccomend.”

Stacey S.

“Kai looked after our pets while we were away. It was the first time leaving our dog Kylo so we were a bit anxious about it but Kai was absolutely amazing. He meet them a couple of times beforehand and kept us updated. They were both extremely well looked after. I think Kylo specially will miss all of the belly rubs he got from Kai. Will definitely book Kai again. Thank you so much for making it a bit easier to leave them.”

Carla P.

About: I've spent a lifetime surrounded by furry friends. Growing up, our home was always full of animals - dogs of all shapes and sizes, cats, chickens, budgies, rabbits, and hamsters. From an early age, I was hands-on helping my parents care for them, which taught me not only responsibility but also deep empathy and respect for all creatures. Over the years we've had dogs of all sizes ranging from a Great Dane all the way down to a Yorky and we rarely had less than 3 pets at once. Caring for animals is second nature to me. Whether your pup loves long walks, belly rubs, or just curling up on the couch, I’m here to make sure they feel safe, loved, and right at home. My family often took in rescue dogs, many of whom came from difficult backgrounds and needed extra patience and love to feel safe again. Helping these animals heal and thrive taught me how to read their body language, build trust, and provide the stability they needed. It's an experience that deeply shaped my approach to pet care. I've spent time personally caring for all the animals while my parents were away for the day or for longer trips. I'm comfortable administering basic medications, handling special dietary needs, and creating a calm, stress-free environment for anxious or shy pets. Being vegan, my compassion for animals runs deep, and I treat every pet as if they were my own - with love, patience, and full attention to their well-being. Whether it's a playful walk, quiet companionship, or a full day of pet-sitting, I always strive to make your pet feel safe, happy, and cared for. I work from home full-time, which means I have a flexible schedule and plenty of time to give your pet the attention they need throughout the day. From morning walks to midday playtime and evening check-ins, I can easily accommodate your pet’s routine. I walk every day around the fields and woods that surround my house and I'd love to share this beautiful nature with your furry friend! I’m generally available Monday to Friday, and occasionally on weekends depending on my schedule. If you’re looking for weekend care, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to accommodate when I can with a little notice. I live in a dog-friendly house with a spacious, fully fenced garden, perfect for secure outdoor play and toilet breaks. The garden is grassy with plenty of natural shade offering a comfortable space to relax or explore. This home is where my nan lived with her beloved Jack Russell, so it’s always been a place full of warmth, care, and animals. The area around my home is ideal for dogs who love the outdoors. I'm surrounded by open fields and I'm right next to Chalkney Woods which is a vast, scenic woodland with a labyrinth of walking trails that are very popular with local dog walkers. Whether your dog enjoys a leisurely stroll or an energetic woodland adventure, I can tailor their walks to suit their energy and personality.

“If I could give more stars I would! Sarah was so helpful updated me through the day sent me load of photos and I really felt that bear was in safe hands ill 100% be booking with Sarah again she has such good knowledge with big dogs and their needs Thank you for caring for Sarah 🩵”

Lauren G.

“This was the first time we had left Teddy with a sitter, so we were only out for a few hours. However, at the meet and greet Abigail was very professional in reassuring us. She was punctual, and Teddy was very relaxed when we returned, so we are very pleased with the service she provided and would book her again. Thank you Abigail.”

Christine N.