- Special projects.
- These are mainly instructed by banks, building societies, estate agents and solicitors.
- Properties awaiting probate and sale, renovation or those that have been repossessed.
- We can provide pet and house sitters who have their own caravans.
- Caretaking abroad.
- We provide Caretakers and a Pet Sitting service, on a short or long term basis.
Our services are used whilst the property is unoccupied or when staff take annual leave.
FAQs about pet and hosue sitting with Absentia
- What happens if our return is delayed?
- What do the pet and hosue sitters do whilst living in my home?
- What happens if they are taken ill?
- What about Insurance?
- What type of properties do you look after?
- What if there are any problems?
- Can I leave my elderly relative in your care?
- Health and Safety
- How versatile are our sitters?
- How much notice do I have to give?
- What other types of service do you provide?
Where do we begin?
On receipt of your Booking Form & Registration Fee, we choose the most suitable member of our team for your home and pets.
We telephone you to confirm who your prospective sitter will be and give you a brief history of their background.
We write to you and confirm our telephone conversation, sending a copy of your details to your prospective sitter. They will then contact you to make a mutually convenient time to visit you.
The interview prior to commencement of the stay at your home is very important. This gives you the opportunity of ensuring that they know how you would like your home and pets cared for. They will bring their in-house security checklist to the interview, which will ask for added details not on your original Booking Form. After the meeting you should feel secure in the knowledge that your home and pets are in caring and capable hands.
We will telephone you to confirm that the member of the team we have chosen meets with your approval.
They arrive on the day and time required and have a final briefing with you.
You go away secure in the knowledge that your home is being looked after by Absentia.
What do the pet and hosue sitters do whilst living in my home?
They will live in your home to safeguard your property and care for your pets.
They will keep the house clean, tidy and undertake light gardening tasks.
Record a list of your visitors, monitor your telephone and forward messages if required.
They bring their own bed linen. They do not use food from your freezer, but will use your dried ingredients, which they will replenish.
What happens if they are taken ill?
Our handover system comes into operation and they will not leave until their replacement arrives.
What about Insurance?
Whilst undertaking an assignment, members of our team are our employees. They are therefore covered by Fidelity Bond insurance, Employers Public Liability and bound by our Terms and Conditions of Employment.
Accidents can happen - breakages and accidental damage caused by our sitters are covered by our comprehensive insurance policies.
We recommend that you advise your insurance company that we are in residence - some companies offer discounts.
How versatile are your sitters?
All are extremely versatile, they appreciate your concerns and worries. Many are specialists in their own field. They will care for your pets: From walking your dogs to stabling horses, they are happy to water plants and undertake light gardening duties, to milking goats, taking care of hamsters to llamas and even iguanas!
Whilst you are away, they will use their discretion and objectivity with regard to the length of time that they are away from your home.
Our sitters undertake many different assignments, from Cottages to Stately Homes, to running clients' Bed and Breakfast.
What if there are any problems?
They have your emergency telephone numbers relating to the care of your home and animals, and are able to cope with any crisis. They always have the benefit of the help and advice line at Head Office.
Health and Safety
We have conducted a general risk assessment of the type of hazards likely to be encountered on a property. At the start of an assignment, as part of the familiarisation of your property, your sitter will complete a risk assessment.
How much notice do I have to give?
We appreciate as much notice as possible, but we can provide sitters at very short notice, in some cases within 3-4 hours in an emergency, but when given more time you are able to meet the sitter beforehand.
What happens if our return is delayed?
Don't worry, they will stay until you return.
What type of properties do you look after?
We look after anything and everything from small cottages and town houses to large country estates. We stay in properties awaiting probate and houses which are for sale. We offer a specialist caretaking service, taking instructions from banks, building societies, lawyers, solicitors and estate agents. We can stay in the property from 3 days to 3 years and sometimes longer.
Can I leave my elderly relative in your care?
We are happy to discuss special arrangements of your elderly relative but we do not provide nursing care.
How versatile are our sitters?
All members of our team are extremely versatile. Many are specialists in their own field. They will take care of your pets: from walking your dogs, stabling horses, milking goats, taking care of llamas and iguanas. They will also take messages and forward emails if you operate a business, take care of Catteries, Kennels, Bed and Breakfast establishments as well as monitor gardeners, builders, cleaners and renovations for properties at home and abroad.
What other types of service do you provide?
Holiday
A usual assignment would be whilst the Client is away on holiday or business trip. We live-in, keep the property secure, care for your pets, water house plants, take telephone messages, keep records of who has called at the property and provide light gardening duties.
Probate
Empty properties may be a target for burglars. We move in, often at short notice , to reduce this risk. We maintain a high security presence, liaise with executors and family members. If the property is to be sold, we continue as with a Holiday sit, but offering a welcoming presence to potential purchasers.
Specialised Caretaking
These are often long term for Clients who work overseas and who do not wish to rent out their property. This allows flexibility for the Client and their family to return home on an ad hoc basis allowing pets to remain in their familiar surroundings.
Caretaking Abroad
All of the above can be adapted to suit your requirements.
