Honest FurPetVo Experiences: Told by Members
In this article, we explore genuine FurPetVo experiences shared by real members — sitters who’ve embraced pet and house sitting as a way to travel meaningfully, connect deeply with animals, and build lasting relationships. These stories reflect their reflections, joys, and insights — from local stays to adventures across the globe.
Connecting with Adorable Pets
Like many sitters, Rob and Deb adore pets just as much as they love traveling the world. For them, house sitting is the perfect blend: time with loving animals while exploring new places.
“We saw an opportunity to combine the best of both worlds; we could still travel but also have settled spells with plenty of animal love,” they share. “House sitting has now become the mainstay of how we live: dogs showing us the way along footpaths through fields and woods; collecting warm eggs from under broody chickens; a cat curled up on Deb’s lap; a curious family of sheep nudging for a scattering of feed.”
Silvi and Lucas landed a once-in-a-lifetime sit at an alpaca ranch in Hawaii — a chance to bond with a truly unique group of gentle, fluffy companions.
“When it was very warm, we sprayed the alpacas with water, as they cool down through their bellies. It was a lot of fun. Whenever we returned from outings and drove onto the property, the alpacas would come running — it was wonderful.”
Traveling to New Locations
Meet Chris and Meg: a remote-working couple who use FurPetVo to explore potential future homes — from the serene Canadian Lakes to quiet rural hobby farms.
“We’ve been able to see new places that we otherwise might not have thought to travel to,” they say. “We never knew where exactly we wanted to live, so it’s also been a great way to scope out communities and areas to see how we feel about them. It’s definitely helped us narrow down where we would like to plant roots one day.”
Their most cherished memory? A heartfelt elopement made possible by Mookie — a sweet, steady feline companion who welcomed them into a cozy Canmore home.
For Emma, her FurPetVo sit in Paris checked off three lifelong dreams: climbing the Eiffel Tower, staying in an authentic Parisian apartment, and watching the Olympic Games — all while sharing daily life with Pixel, a warm-hearted resident cat.
“Not only did I get to enjoy the cuddly company of Pixel in a beautiful Parisian home, but I also got to be in the city for the entire Olympic Games. I could not have asked for a more welcoming home and cat companion to share this experience of a lifetime.”
Making Connections for Life
After cat sitting in Hawaii, Julia kept in touch with the pet parents — transforming what began as a practical exchange into a genuine friendship.
“This ongoing relationship has been incredibly rewarding, transforming what began as a pet sitting arrangement into a friendship.”
Jess and Tom chose a life beyond fixed addresses. Jess stepped away from her role as a Major Crime Investigator; Tom secured a fully remote job. Together, they now travel full-time — building deep connections with pets and homeowners alike.
“Exploring and experiencing different types of neighborhoods, interacting with so many people, and getting to feel like locals for a while is great too. The connections with pets and homeowners are long-lasting.”
Giving Retirement a New Meaning
Since retiring in 2021, BJ has discovered a vibrant, purpose-filled chapter through FurPetVo. She’s explored Condesa in Mexico City with two French Bulldogs, spent Christmas in the heart of the capital, and enjoyed quiet days in Nantes with Labrador retrievers, chickens, and a curious cat.
“When we travel, we like to stay in one spot, so we can get to know the community, explore locally, shop at local markets, and find the local gems. We are homebodies and enjoy exploring during the day and relaxing at ‘home’ in the evenings. We love the sense of ‘home away from home’ that pet sitting gives us.”
John and Barb took a different path to global adventure. Instead of relocating overseas, they found balance: using their FurPetVo membership to explore the world while always having their forever home to return to.
“The first host to accept us was in Edinburgh, Scotland — so off to Europe we went!”
