Susan & Visiting Hollie (daughter/Auckland)

I owned a small, friendly family run Boutique Hotel in Cheshire in the North of England which was sold in 2018. As my daughters had left home to follow their dreams I moved permanently to live in the Algarve, Portugal almost 7 years ago. We had been visiting the Algarve regularly for the past 25 years.

I have always kept various animals normally dogs/cats & at times horses.
At the present time I have my cat of 10 years.
I have been a regular volunteer at a Dog & Donkey Sanctuary for the past 6+ years here in Portugal. I have also helped feeding cats at 'Feeding Stations' & generally support various Animal Shelters. I also fostered 2 tiny kittens in 2021 who now share my birthday: one lives in Dubai with one daughter & one lives in the UK with my eldest daughter. We couldn't part with them!

in the winter of 2022/23 I was fortunate to be accepted on the wonderful Lynx Cat breeding program up in the Monchique Hills in the Algarve where I volunteered 50 hours per week to monitor the Lynx behaviour. I was lucky enough to witness the birth of the cubs which would later be released into the Wild in nearby Spain. My original degree is in Biological Sciences/Ecology which was why I was interviewed & accepted onto the program. I have always been interested/aware of the Environment & in particular the effects of Pollution which was the Thesis I produced at graduation.

I enjoy a healthy/outdoor lifestyle in the Algarve which is the main reason for my decision to live there as the climate is so good. I enjoy cycling/padel tennis/sailing & help friends on Charter Boats.

I travelled extensively in the past; my daughters have continued to do so. Two daughters taught in S. Korea; & after living in S. Korea for over 5 years - one has now been promoted to a Deputy Head in a Junior School in Dubai, whilst my eldest daughter returned to teach back in Cheshire, UK.

My youngest daughter moved to Auckland almost 5 years ago so I am visiting her for 3 months from 27th November 2024 until 24th February 2025. Hollie also loves animals & the outdoor activities. Hollie now lives in a lovely apartment in Parnell, however, she will be working for the majority of the time when I visit which is why I am looking to Petsit as I will miss my cat & the dogs & donkeys at the Sanctuary. Also I want to get to know Auckland as my daughter is now being sponsored & looking towards her citizenship. I spent the 1st 3 weeks with Hollie which was lovely; she has been particularly busy just now with Corporate Events & then New Year celebrations so I moved over to West Auckland where I am looking after 2 Dalmations until 21st January. Hollie has 5 days off through Christmas & will come over and stay as she misses owning a dog or cat & always joins me at Bamboo Sanctuary when she visits the Algarve. Her last visit was last summer 2023 when she also assisted on some of the boat charters; she also occasionally looks after a friend's cat called Stormy. Hollie is 27, very responsible and has looked after my hotel in the past & currently works in Management in the Hospitality Industry.

I have looked after a couple of beautiful properties in the Algarve with pets/animals by request rather than my searching for the pet/housesitting because I am known to be reliable & trustworthy & most importantly a massive animal lover which has led me to consider petsitting whilst traveling.

One of the properties in the Algarve is a recently converted 5* farm property with aproximately 40 acres of land. The owners have 2 dogs, a horse & feed 9 feral cats; they also wanted to ensure the property was secure in their absence. I automatically keep any property clean to an extremely high standard; my hotel was always immaculate & received very positive reviews. I am used to maintaining gardens etc & have also overseen the renovation of a villa over 10 months during 2022/2023 including the gardens. I personally obtained the planning permission & project managed the conversion of our old home into the Boutique Hotel. I trained as a lawyer in my 30's.

My husband passed away some years ago which is why I am free to move around & take on projects which interest me. I enjoy my life in the Algarve, however, I am interested in learning about Hollie's life in Auckland & whilst I am most welcome to stay with her; she will be also be busy, so staying in West Auckland gives me a chance to discover the area for myself with 2 dogs for company.

I can provide references if required & answer any other questions which may arise.

Hollie has some vacations due in the New Year so we would like to find another sit in another area of the North Island of New Zealand so that Hollie has some time away from Auckland in the company of either a cat(s) and/ or dog(s).

The 1st photos show 2 particularly shy cream Belgian-type shepherd dogs at the Sanctuary who now trust me & few others. The Donkey photo is also from the Sanctuary. The 2 yellow labradors were at a recent house/pet sit by request of the owner. The young collie is from the beautiful farm - again a request by the owner. The Black & White Cat is my cat Harrycat. The photo of the 2 Tabby cats are: Rafi who I rescued/fostered in Portugal & now lives with my daughter in England with Willow the other tabby cat plus her other two cats: Mr White & Romeo. Luna - Rafi's sister now lives in Dubai with my other daughter & her other cat Blue - from Korea.