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Older\u00a0people are enjoying an active and varied retirement, with many choosing to continue working.<\/p>\n
Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics[i] highlight that 10 million over-50s are currently employed, and insurance company Aviva[ii] predicts that by 2024 workers aged 50 and above will become the largest group working, representing one in three of all employees.<\/p>\n
For many retiring is\u00a0a new chapter in their lives and the chance to do something completely different.<\/p>\n
People are living and remaining healthy and active longer and want to continue keeping busy and feeling useful as they get older.<\/p>\n
One option growing in popularity for retired and semi-retired people is home and pet sitting \u2014 earning money whilst looking after people\u2019s homes and pets when they go away.<\/p>\n
The role appeals because of the flexibility and responsibility it offers, as well the chance to explore different parts of the UK.<\/p>\n
Companies such as national home and pet sitting company, Homesitters Ltd<\/a> actively encourages retired people to join them as homesitters and employs approximately\u00a01,000 homesitters throughout the UK.<\/p>\n Whilst homesitters receive a modest remuneration to supplement their pension, most don\u2019t do it for the money, but rather the amazing experiences they have and the chance to stay in wonderful homes and see new and exciting places throughout the UK.<\/p>\n Many also enjoy the role as they love caring for animals. They may have been a pet owner and get great pleasure in taking care of someone\u2019s dog or cat for a few weeks. Depending on their experience homesitters could be looking after dogs, cats and rabbits, or more unusual pets including snakes, potbellied pigs and llamas.<\/p>\n They were apprehensive about adjusting to a quiet retirement and were keen to put their skills and experience to use. Becoming homesitters was the ideal option for them \u2013 offering flexible employment with responsibility and a sense of purpose.<\/p>\n The couple don\u2019t own any pets so one of the biggest attractions of the job is looking after other people\u2019s animals and in particular, dogs. They love dog walking as it gives them a chance to get out into the countryside and keep fit, whatever the weather.<\/p>\n Home and pet sitting provides a complete change of scene and a break from their normal routine. Living on a main road, they enjoy staying in homes in the countryside, in particular at one of their regular clients\u2019 home which is surrounded by woodland.<\/p>\n Here, they take daily walks through the beautiful woodland, which is thick with bluebells in spring, they also sit and listen to the birds\u2019 song and spend time star gazing at night as there\u2019s no street lighting. They say it is a real contrast to their normal life.<\/p>\n Another unexpected benefit for the Heels is spending more quality time together.<\/p>\n Sue explained, \u201cOne of the things we love about home and pet sitting is that we do it together. At home we tend to do our own thing, but on assignments we work as a team and spend quality time taking the dogs for walks.\u201d<\/p>\nCaring for animals<\/h4>\n
![\"Homesitters\"](\"http:\/\/newclone.retiremove.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Homesitters.jpg\")
One retired couple in their mid-sixties who decided to become homesitters are Sue and Gordon Heels from Dunstable in Bedfordshire. Both had had busy careers, Gordon as an engineering technician and Sue working at a local authority dealing with troubled teenagers.\u00a0[pullquote1 quotes=”true” align=”right” variation=”purple”]One of the things we love about home and pet sitting is that we do it together. At home we tend to do our own thing, but on assignments we work as a team and spend quality time taking the dogs for walks[\/pullquote1]<\/p>\nKeeping fit whatever the weather<\/h4>\n