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Karen

Karen Winter

Picture of House Sitter, House Minder and Pet Sitter at Kiwi House Sitters, New Zealand. User Karen Winter
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About me

personSolo

64, Semi-Retired Health Practitioner

Someone to love your pets while you are away. I have always had an amazing connection with animals. I love being in their company. I grew up on a farm at Coatesville, then on the Hibiscus Coast.

favoriteWhy I love house sitting

I love the company of cute kitties, doggies, and other amazing animals. House Sitting gives me a change of scenery, an opportunity to travel and see new places that I may not have seen. Sometimes I get to be near friends and family and spend time catching up with them, without being in their space.

I love taking care of your home and pets while you are away. I have done my share of traveling, and I understand what it is like to have someone come and take care of your home, your garden and your pets, and to give them lots of love and attention while you are away. I prefer to keep them company and be there with them.

I am now semi-retired, and I am free to travel and take care of your home and your pets. I have traveled extensively and I have now been House Sitting full-time for the past ... Read moreI love taking care of your home and pets while you are away. I have done my share of traveling, and I understand what it is like to have someone come and take care of your home, your garden and your pets, and to give them lots of love and attention while you are away. I prefer to keep them company and be there with them.

I am now semi-retired, and I am free to travel and take care of your home and your pets. I have traveled extensively and I have now been House Sitting full-time for the past nine years I am trained in complementary medicine, and work and study part-time online.

I have lived in rural location for more than 15 years, so I am not bothered by isolation and I am happy in my own company, and in the company of your gorgeous pets, while I work part-time, read or study. I am not one to go out sightseeing, or play tourist, as I have done enough of that!

I have traveled extensively, so I know what it is like to have to arrange for someone to care for your pets. I would often take my cat and my chickens to other peoples' places to be looked after, and friends used to bring their chickens to my place to be looked after with mine. In the end I found it was easier to leave them at home in their familiar environment, and have someone be there to look after them. They are much happier that way.

I have a lot of regular house sits I return to. The advantage of this is they know me, and I know what to do when I am there. Consistently with their pets makes a difference too, as their pets know me, and I am familiar with them. Many of my regulars always tell me that after they return home, their pets are running around the house looking for me, and checking where I am in the bedroom I stayed in. So cute!

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Pet care

I have 10 years experience mainly taking care of dogs, cats, gold fish, chickens and horses. I can also care for birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, alpacas, pigs and cattle on small farms and hobby farms. I have also looked after breeding kennels for breeders while they have a break away for up to ... Read moreI have 10 years experience mainly taking care of dogs, cats, gold fish, chickens and horses. I can also care for birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, alpacas, pigs and cattle on small farms and hobby farms. I have also looked after breeding kennels for breeders while they have a break away for up to 10 large dogs.

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petsWilling to care for these pets

DogsDogs
CatsCats
FishFish
BirdsBirds
Rabbits/Guinea PigsRabbits/Guinea Pigs
Chickens/Ducks/GeeseChickens/Ducks/Geese
Farm AnimalsFarm Animals
HorsesHorses

agricultureFarm experience

I have regularly taken care of small farms with up to 30 cattle, 10 sheep, 15 chickens, several horses, up to 5 dogs, cats and fish. As explained above I can care for other farm animals such as Alpacas, bird avaries, and fish ponds as my father used to breed these as he owned a garden centre and ... Read moreI have regularly taken care of small farms with up to 30 cattle, 10 sheep, 15 chickens, several horses, up to 5 dogs, cats and fish. As explained above I can care for other farm animals such as Alpacas, bird avaries, and fish ponds as my father used to breed these as he owned a garden centre and nursery, and I took care of these when my parents went away on holidays.

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Trust

reviews5 star reviews
diagnosisReferences

diagnosisAbout my references

I have 30+ 5-star reviews on Trusted HouseSitters and 10 years experience as a HouseSitter.

Availability

eventNext 12 months

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eventCurrent bookings

2026: 6 Aug - 25 Sep | 4-30 Nov | 1 Dec - 31 Jan 2027 | 2027: 1 Feb - 23 Jun

chairOn a house-sit right now

Preferences

scheduleHouse sit duration

2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +

where_to_votePreferred locations

North Island: Auckland, Northland  

travelTravel plans

I am in New Zealand from August to November 2026. I have 5 weeks available from 25th September until 3rd November in the Northland, Hibiscus Coast or the North Shore. Other areas considered upon request. I am currently in Russell Bay of Islands and I had a late cancellation as I was fully booked.

Reviews (7)

From Aussie House Sitters
Karen was fantastic. The two dogs were looked after like they were her own, The house was clean and tidy and the yard looked great. Absolute pleasure to have Karen stay at our house, highly recommend her to sit your house and pets. Lots of photos sent to us while we were away
Karen was wonderful as our house and pet sitter. She was great to communicate with right from the beginning and put us completely at ease about being away for four weeks. Archie and Rosie were clearly very well cared for — they were happy, calm, and lovingly looked after. The regular updates and photos were much appreciated and really helped us enjoy our time away without any worries. Our home was also in excellent hands. We returned to a clean, tidy house, with everything exactly as we’d ... MoreKaren was wonderful as our house and pet sitter. She was great to communicate with right from the beginning and put us completely at ease about being away for four weeks. Archie and Rosie were clearly very well cared for — they were happy, calm, and lovingly looked after. The regular updates and photos were much appreciated and really helped us enjoy our time away without any worries. Our home was also in excellent hands. We returned to a clean, tidy house, with everything exactly as we’d left it. Overall, Karen was dependable, thoughtful, and a genuine pleasure to deal with. We wouldn’t hesitate to have her sit again and would gladly recommend her to others.

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Karen did a wonderful job of looking after our two boys. We came home to a lovely kept house and garden. Communication was great we received messages every few days with updates on the boys with photos which made it easy for us to enjoy our holiday. We highly recommend Karen as a house sitter.
Pip and Karen obviously had a great couple of weeks together Came home to a Happy Dog and a Happy House, what more could you ask for?
We were so lucky to have Karen look after our dog Ted, and our house. She went above and beyond, Ted was so happy and well looked after and the house was spotless when we got home. Karen was easy to communicate with and gave us such lovely updates. We would love to have Karen look after Ted again!
From Aussie House Sitters
Karen was a wonderful fit for our family and we really hope she will stay again in the future. She was a breeze to communicate with and sent us regular photos and updates of our beloved pets that made us feel at ease while we were away. She is a wealth of knowledge about land care and very comfortable staying at properties out of town, which was perfect for us. She didn’t even seem to mind that our beautiful old farmhouse was in its final stages of renovations! We cannot thank you enough Karen ... MoreKaren was a wonderful fit for our family and we really hope she will stay again in the future. She was a breeze to communicate with and sent us regular photos and updates of our beloved pets that made us feel at ease while we were away. She is a wealth of knowledge about land care and very comfortable staying at properties out of town, which was perfect for us. She didn’t even seem to mind that our beautiful old farmhouse was in its final stages of renovations! We cannot thank you enough Karen - our house was immaculate on our return and the pets were completely relaxed. (we’re pretty sure they still miss you!) ☺️

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From Aussie House Sitters
Karen did a wonderful job looking after our house and it was in mint condition when we arrived home. Very grateful. Our pups loved her. Thank you Karen.
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