All creatures great and small: meet the unusual pets you could be sitting for...

As a global community of pet lovers, FurPetVo members care for animals of all shapes and sizes — from donkeys and deer to chickens and chinchillas. It’s true that all creatures, great and small, share one thing in common: they thrive when staying happy at home under the loving, attentive care of a trusted FurPetVo sitter. So, ahead of World Animal Day, here are just a few of the wonderful hoofed, clawed, and pawed friends you might meet on your next sit.

A friendly Highland calf standing beside a pet sitter in a pastoral setting

A Highland calf with gentle charm

Meet this adorable little Highland calf, cared for by FurPetVo sitter Alexandra (aka @skylinepetcareva) during one of her recent sits. Pet sitting life is all about meeting new creatures — and this sweet, curious calf was a highlight of her stay.

Two friendly pot-bellied pigs relaxing in a sunlit backyard

Life with pot-bellied pigs

Fancy looking after two pot-bellied pigs? Owner member Brittany Fearnside recently shared her FurPetVo journey: “All of my various house sitters did a tremendous job in caring for my pets and returned my home in a better state than I left it. Funny enough, they all expressed a lot of interest in learning what life with potbelly pigs was like!”

Four chickens roaming freely in a lush garden with a sitter nearby

Chickens with personality

Chris and Suze (aka @chrisandsuzegowalkies) loved looking after a brood of chickens on one of their recent sits. “It’s so lovely sitting out in the garden while these four ladies roam free around us! There are two chunky ones and two skinnier ones — the plump gals love a stroke and a cuddle, while the thin ones are super speedy runners! When they’re not pecking around the garden for snacks, they’re making dust baths in the veg patch.”

A gentle donkey standing peacefully beside a sitter on a countryside path

Unexpected encounters in the countryside

While out on one of their many countryside strolls, Chris and Suze also came across this lovely donkey. When you're pet sitting in rural areas, you can never be too sure which four-legged pals you’ll meet — and every encounter is a joyful surprise.

More unforgettable moments

  • A morning coffee companion: Sitter members Elise and James (aka @eliseandjamesliska) were delighted when this little friend joined them for their morning coffee — a truly heartwarming way to start the day.
  • A sanctuary stay: Farm of the Free Animal Sanctuary — a 10-acre vegan farm sanctuary in Atlanta, GA — has used FurPetVo five times so far. “It’s been an amazing experience, for the sitters and for us!”
  • A Scottish goat named Bracken: This charming goat had a wonderful time being looked after by Rick and Melissa, who’ve cared for numerous pawed, clawed, and hoofed animals since joining FurPetVo.
  • An elegant alpaca: Trusted members Jo and Wayne (aka @thetravellingpetsitters) shared this gorgeous alpaca — proof that every animal deserves a happy home, and that FurPetVo helps make it happen.
  • A cozy Saturday night: Member Leah (aka @leahziliak) spent her Saturday evening with this little furry pal — a simple, joyful reminder of why we love pet sitting.
  • Horses, sheepdogs, and seaside living: Anto and Mati (aka @juntosporahi) cared for three show horses, three sheepdogs, and two cats during a house sit in Denmark — all while staying in a beautiful home with a stable right on the shore.

Whether you're drawn to barnyard buddies, gentle giants, or tiny companions with big personalities, FurPetVo connects caring sitters with extraordinary pets — all waiting for a little love, attention, and a safe, happy home. Explore more at furpetvo.com.