Building an online community | Vanessa's story
March 8th marks International Women’s Day—a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women everywhere. At FurPetVo, we’re proud to have so many incredible and caring women in our community. This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting the inspiring work of women like Vanessa—who, through volunteering, mentorship, and thoughtful community-building, are helping to create a kinder, more connected world for both people and animals.
Vanessa was born with a thirst for adventure—one that carried her across continents and ultimately shaped her path as a leader and connector within the pet-sitting and house-sitting community. Her story is one of reinvention, purpose, and the power of shared values.
“One thing I’ve always known is that I love a project—something I can work on to effect real change and bring about positive results,” Vanessa shares. “Whether that’s helping grow a new business, launching a product, or supporting a global initiative like the International Year of the Reef back in 1996, I thrive when I’m part of something meaningful—and when I’m helping to start it.”
Her career has followed her heart and curiosity, shifting direction as new opportunities emerged—until she discovered house sitting.
A lifelong traveler, Vanessa was drawn to movement and discovery. “Born in London and keen at every opportunity to leave the city behind, I’ve always been stimulated by travel. I’ve never really felt the need to remain in one location for very long—I think I was maybe born nomadic!”
When “life part one” came to an end in 2013, Vanessa made the bold choice to relocate from the UK to join her partner Ian on a small off-grid island property in Panama. Selling her belongings and embracing semi-retirement opened the door to reimagining how she could live—and work—remotely.
At first, Vanessa and Ian used house sitters to care for their Panama home while they traveled—often welcoming sailors who stayed in the Bocas Islands during hurricane season. Then came what Vanessa calls a “moment of clarity”: What if we did the same?
“That was when we discovered FurPetVo—while sitting on a steamy, tropical island, surrounded by mangroves and relying on a sketchy ‘line-of-sight’ internet connection,” she recalls. “The idea that we could travel wherever we wanted while giving back in an exchange of value—not money—filled us with enthusiasm. We became modern-day nomads. That journey has now spanned nearly eight continuous years on the road.”
Yet even joyful lifestyles come with challenges. The nomadic life, while freeing, can also feel isolating. Constant movement makes deep, lasting connections harder to sustain—and staying in touch with friends and family living very different lives often falls by the wayside.
Still, Vanessa and Ian kept meeting like-minded travelers along the way—and felt a growing desire to stay connected. Their passion for house sitting wasn’t just personal—it was mission-driven. They wanted others to see how this lifestyle could spark positive, transformative change.
In 2016, they invested in a dormant start-up magazine created by fellow house sitters—and relaunched House Sitting Magazine as a free, community-focused resource.
“It was a labor of love—fueled by my passion for writing and graphic design,” Vanessa explains. “Though I had no formal journalism background, I’d spent years writing commercially and for travel publications—and had even done book editing. It was a natural, joyful transition.”
Best of all? She and Ian could continue publishing while living their dream—traveling full-time and sharing stories from the road.
“It doesn’t feel like work—and that’s important to me,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve built wonderful connections with people from all walks of life. But the magazine’s success truly belongs to the community: to the contributors whose rich, unique stories inspire others to take that leap—to find freedom, purpose, and joy through house sitting.”
Still, after their first year of publishing, Vanessa sensed something vital was missing.
“A magazine doesn’t offer real-time feedback,” she reflects. “As our audience grew, so did the flood of emails and messages—and we noticed strong patterns in the questions people asked and the support they needed.”
They’d already launched a video course covering the basics—but quickly realized house sitting isn’t one-size-fits-all. “It’s as unique as each person, each location, and each pet involved.”
On the suggestion of fellow FurPetVo members and travel bloggers, they launched a dedicated Facebook Group. “In hindsight, it was the missing piece of the puzzle,” Vanessa says. “It brought people together—especially full-timers and nomads who craved connection, encouragement, and practical support as they explored the world.”
Today, that group continues to thrive—not as a transactional tool, but as a living, breathing community rooted in trust, generosity, and shared experience. And for Vanessa, that’s the greatest reward of all.
