Kiwi House Sitters

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Gold (24mths)
House Sitting Preferences
  • 0 - 1 week, 1 - 2 weeks, 2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +
  • Dog(s), Cat(s), Fish, Bird(s), Rabbit(s)/Guinea Pig(s), Chickens/Ducks/Geese, Farm Animals
Preferred Locations
  • South Island: ALL  
Availability
  • NEXT 6 MONTHS    
    Available    
    Unavailable
    Dec
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
  • 2024: 23-29 Dec | 30 Dec - 8 Jan 2025 | 2025: 8-12 Jan | 10-20 Jan | 20 Jan - 2 Feb | 18 Apr - 12 May | 15 May - 22 Jul
  • On a house-sit right now

Global traveller and cat lady

38, Corporate lawyer

Hi!

I am a corporate lawyer who is currently on a break, though I do some work here and there remotely. I've lived in Singapore for six years and Hong Kong, Moscow and Australia before that. I've travelled all over (for work and fun) and have house sat in Peru, Norway, Singapore and Australia for cats and dogs. And now for cats, dogs, bunnies, sheep, chickens, ducks and fish in New Zealand!

I am staying in New Zealand long term (based in the South Island) and have been house sitting on an almost full time basis since arriving here in September 2022. I have loved looking after everyone's pets!

I absolutely love cats. I can't have my own as I travel a lot so I've found house sitting to be a great way to be able to spend some quality time with kitties! I'm very happy to look after other animals too but I am definitely a bit cat obsessed!

**My experience**
- Have looked after many different cat breeds including Burmese (my favourite!), Siamese, Tonkinese, Ragdolls, Persian, Birman, Bengal, British Shorthair, Maine Coon, farm cats/non-breed, rescue cats, both indoor and outdoor, elderly and young!
- Looked after dog breeds including Shiba Inu, Shih tzu mix, GSP, Greyhound, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Jack Russell, Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Wheaten Terrier.
- Love looking after lifestyle blocks, have looked after 150 sheep, chickens, ducks.
- Have experience giving tablet medications to dogs and liquid medications to cats.
- Over 30 sits completed to date!

**What you can expect**
- I will take great care of your pets and home!
- I spend quite a lot of time at 'home' so your pets would have plenty of attention.
- Your home will be nicely cleaned for your return.
- I send regular updates with photos so that you don't miss your little ones too much and can be comfortable knowing they are doing well!

I have some great references and a police clearance, am a non-smoker and a non-drinker. I'm a pretty quiet person, I enjoy spending time at home, going for walks in nature, reading, learning, meditating and exploring the world.

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more about me. I'm happy to do a video call to connect.

Thanks!

Reviews (15)
Irina communicated well right from the get go. She was wonderful with our cat. Irina cared for our garden well and left our house looking spotless.
 
NELLIE (Cashmere South Island, Dec 2024 - 4 nights)
Irina was fantastic, we came back to happy animals and a clean house, with lawns mowed. The dog got regular beach walks and the cat got lots of cuddles. Irina was great to deal with, and we had regular photos and updates while we were away. Highly recommend. Thanks Irina!
 
EMMA (Dunedin South Island, Nov 2024 - 2 weeks 6 nights)
I’d never had a house/pet sitter before and Irina immediately made us feel comfortable and that we were leaving our two cats in safe hands. Lots of lovely photo updates which our kids particularly loved. Can’t recommend Irina enough. Thank you!
 
KATHERINA (Jack’s point South Island, Aug 2024 - 2 weeks 6 nights)
Irina was the perfect house sitter. Our cat Malfi and she became devoted to each other. We received frequent communication from Irina along with many photos of a very happy cat. Our house was impeccably kept. We highly recommend Irina. This stay was for three months.
 
MARGARET (Christchurch (rural) , May 2024 - 3 months)
From the beginning Irina had my confidence as she kept in contact before her arrival and was prompt in arriving on time. It was great getting all the messages she sent and with lots of pictures of my furbabies! I knew all was good when she told me my babies snuck into bed with her and pictures of them snuggled in her lap. My babies are happy, I’m happy what more can you ask for!
 
JENNIFER (Riwaka , Apr 2024 - 6 nights)
Irina is an awesome sitter, Maggie seemed to really enjoy her company and behaved as if we hadn't left her. Irina looked after her with the same love and affection she is used to. Maggie was sad to see her leave,, highly recommend Irina to anyone wanting a great sitter. Thanks Irina.
 
DES (Whitianga North Island, Mar 2024 - 3 weeks)
Irina is simply a stunning house & pet sitter. Our precious cat adored Irina and we had lovely photo updates most days. Irina is a very good communicator and was lovely to deal with. The house was immaculate upon our return and we would welcome Irina back at any opportunity. 10/10 review for Irina.
 
RACHEL (Maori Hill , Dec 2023 - 3 weeks)
Irina was the perfect housesitter enabling us to go on holiday knowing that our home and pets would be in good hands. She gave us regular updates and photos of how things were going while we were away which was appreciated. From our first meeting via Skype, and then in person, we found Irina to be friendly, open and confident. We would highly recommend Irina for housesitting and would have her back without hesitation.
 
PHIL (North Loburn South Island, Nov 2023 - 1 week 3 nights)
Irina is amazing. She kept in touch before and during the stay, sending pics of the animals. The animals were so well looked after and the house was immaculate on our return. I would use her again in a heartbeat and cannot recommend her highly enough. I hope we will keep in touch.
 
ROBBIE (Kaikoura South Island, Jun 2023 - 4 weeks)
Irina arrived (as planned) a day ahead of the house sit, so that she could get acquainted with the property and what was needed in terms of caring for the sheep and hens. During the sit she kept us reassured that all was well through great communication and photos. She also went out of her way to ensure our elderly and blind cat was well looked after. And on our return the house gleamed! We loved having Irina house-sit for us and would thoroughly recommend her for future sits. And would welcome ... MORE
 
TRISH (Glenroy South Island, Apr 2023 - 6 days)
Irina looked after my house and elderly cat for 12 days. She was a great communicator from start to finish and took everything in her stride. Irina was very caring towards my cat and sent me a photo which put my mind at rest. If there was anything she wasn't sure of she contacted me. Upon my return the house was immaculate and the plants well watered. I would happily recommend Irina as a trustworthy pet/house sitter.
 
FIONA (Toi Toi South Island, Jan 2023 - 1 week 5 days)
Irina is friendly, professional and easy to deal with. She left the property is great shape and responds to communication quickly. Our cat took a shine to her and was well cared for. Irina would be welcome back to sit for us or visit as a guest.
 
ALAN (Hamilton North Island, Dec 2022 - 2 weeks 2 days)
Irena is wonderful, she was attentive and caring with my cat who absolutely adored her ! She looked after the house and cat extremely well. I highly recommend her , and will use her again if she available, she is great !
 
JAMES (Upper Hutt , Dec 2022 - 11 days)
Many thanks Irina, for taking such good care of our fur babies and home. Everything was perfect for our return home. Great communication. We welcome you back anytime and highly recommend her as a great choice. Thanks again, Pippa
 
PIPPA JACKSON (3789b State Highway 4 , Nov 2022 - 1 week 5 days)
Irina is a wonderful house and pet sitter. Great communication, clean, honest, and best of all, wonderful with my 2 cats. They LOVED her!! ( and miss her!!) I highly recommend her to mind your precious cats. Your pets and home are in very safe hands with this capable lady. She will be looking for longer house sits in the South Island , late Summer 2023.
 
ANITA (Kerikeri North Island, Oct 2022 - 6 days)
 
Garden Maintenance

Green garden!

Make sure the garden and pot plants are thriving when you get back - get a house sitter.

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