Canopian
I'm a mature and reliable man who would like to put those attributes to use by looking after your pets and your property while you're away.
I'm a widower and I live in Wellington, but I've spent the last few years living between there and Nelson (I'm a Nelly-Welly).
To my surprise, I've now been house-sitting for four years (since retiring). During that time I have looked after many pets... cats, dogs, fish, and stick insects(!).
I've developed a taste for the variety, responsibility, and satisfaction that comes with such roles. In short... I'm not yet ready to go home.
I recently passed a Police background check, due to my volunteer work with an organisation centred around elderly people,
Be assured that I'll protect and respect your pet, your property, and your privacy.
Reviews (31)
Having Barry house-sit for us was a real pleasure. He is an amazing person to have stay in our home, being tidy, considerate, organized and respectful, but most of all a great companion for our much loved Oscar. Oscar was extremely well cared for and spoilt by this wonderful man. Barry's updates via email were a treat to read and we really appreciated them. We were at ease leaving Oscar in Barry's care and look forward to having him back here again.
JEANETTE & HARVEY (Havelock North Other, Aug 2018 - 2 weeks 5 days)
Arrived home after the housesit to a sparkling clean house, beautifully mowed lawns and happy animals! Barry looked after everything so well and was in touch with updates letting us know everything was going along smoothly. Very happy with having Barry at our house and would not hesitate to recommend him - if you want everything looked after and left better than you found it when you get back then Barry is the house sitter you need! Thanks Barry :)
MELANIE (Bell Block North Island, Mar 2024 - 2 weeks 2 nights)
Barry was outstanding in every way. During our absence he kept up a steady stream of photos and humorous texts detailing his "conversations" with our two dogs. We were instantly assured that he was clued up and knew how to keep our two rascals in line.
We came back to mowed lawns, watered gardens and a house freshly vacuumed and cleaned. Thank you Barry.
PHIL & ANTHEA (Wainuiomata Lower Hutt North Island, Nov 2023 - 1 week 3 nights)
This was our first housesittng experience, so just a little anxious at the beginning. Shouldn't have worried and we echo so many of Barry's other reviews. Cats treated him as they do us. Look after our needs and we will tolerate your existence 🤣. We were in regular contact and his updates were like we were there. Brilliant. Our home was well looked after, lawns mowed, cauliflower blanched and frozen (such a lovely surprise), also, Barry planted our potatoes out. They're all up and thriving. ... MOREThis was our first housesittng experience, so just a little anxious at the beginning. Shouldn't have worried and we echo so many of Barry's other reviews. Cats treated him as they do us. Look after our needs and we will tolerate your existence 🤣. We were in regular contact and his updates were like we were there. Brilliant. Our home was well looked after, lawns mowed, cauliflower blanched and frozen (such a lovely surprise), also, Barry planted our potatoes out. They're all up and thriving. Thanks for being an awesome housesitter Barry 😁🤸😁
GAYLENE (Merrilands North Island, Aug 2023 - 1 month 3 weeks)
Barry was an absolute champion. He cared for our very old dog who had medication and nutrition requirements and did so cheerfully while keeping us up to date regularly. He was totally reliable and we came home to a clean house, lawns that had ben mowed, laundered sheets and towels and a very contented dog. We will certainly use him again.
GWEN (Papakowhai North Island, May 2023 - 2 weeks 3 days)
We had Barry look after our 16 year old border collie and he was great. We came back to a tidy house and a happy, well cared for old man. I would definitely recommend Barry.
JASON (Taita North Island, Mar 2023 - 2 weeks)
Barry is a warm, friendly person our little dog instantly liked. Barry looked after Darcy well and had house immaculate when we got home. Got lots text updates during week. We highly recommend Barry and wish him well for future sits. Judy and Geoff
JUDY (Porirua North Island, Mar 2023 - 7 days)
Barry was an excellent house sitter for our home and cat. He was totally reliable and 150% helpful especially at the time of recent wild windy weather when he went above & beyond to secure the outdoor furniture & clear the lawns of wind-damaged foliage. Our vegie garden was in good hands as he harvested & froze vegetable garden produce for our return. He always communicated with us at appropriate times, with clever entertaining quips about our cat. We could hardly tell that he had been in our ... MOREBarry was an excellent house sitter for our home and cat. He was totally reliable and 150% helpful especially at the time of recent wild windy weather when he went above & beyond to secure the outdoor furniture & clear the lawns of wind-damaged foliage. Our vegie garden was in good hands as he harvested & froze vegetable garden produce for our return. He always communicated with us at appropriate times, with clever entertaining quips about our cat. We could hardly tell that he had been in our home for 5.5 weeks, apart from him fixing our vacuum cleaner (blocked with pine needles). , We can wholeheartedly recommend Barry for house sitting and we have already booked him in for 2023-2024. Thanks also to Kiwi House Sitters for this excellent service!
DEE & PETER (Strandon North Island, Jan 2023 - 1 month 1 week)
Barry was a wonderful person who looked after our very elderly dog well. He was unfazed by any of her particular needs and we are very grateful to him for his efforts caring for her. Thank you Barry!
REBECCA (Wellington North Island, Oct 2022 - 1 week 3 days)
I must first apologize to Barry for taking so long to write this review but I have had an extended illness and am only now fit again. Barry's care of my house and pet were faultless and he also adjusted his plans to help me out in difficult circumstances. I was taken ill while away and my return was delayed by a week. Barry stayed on for a further 3 days until my daughter was able to take over care of my pet, for which I was extremely grateful. A little more news of Bridie while I was away ... MOREI must first apologize to Barry for taking so long to write this review but I have had an extended illness and am only now fit again. Barry's care of my house and pet were faultless and he also adjusted his plans to help me out in difficult circumstances. I was taken ill while away and my return was delayed by a week. Barry stayed on for a further 3 days until my daughter was able to take over care of my pet, for which I was extremely grateful. A little more news of Bridie while I was away would have been nice but she was obviously happy and healthy on my return. Thank you again Barry for stepping into the breach - I am very happy to recommend you to others who need a houses and pet sitter.
WINK (Waikanae North Island, Sep 2022 - 3 weeks)
Barry looked after my cat and home over an Easter Weekend. Communication was fast, friendly and clear and I came home to a happy cat and a spotless home.
I would recommend Barry to all :)
BRENT (Trentham North Island, Apr 2022 - 4 days)
Barry took really great care of Roxy (the dog) and of the (many!) houseplants. He was prompt and friendly (in person and on the phone), and left the house in immaculate condition.
I have no hesitation in highly recommending him.
STEVE (Thorndon North Island, Feb 2022 - 1 week 2 days - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Barry did an ace job looking after my house, plants (I have quite a few), and my dog Roxy. His communication was prompt and clear, and he left the house in excellent contidition. He came for a visit before the sit to meet Roxy and she got on well with him immediately. I highly recommend Barry!
STEVE (Thorndon North Island, Nov 2021 - 2 days - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Barry is excellent. His communication was clear and timely. I returned to a tidy house and a happy Echo.
I would recommend Barry to any prospective client requiring a sitter.
Thank you Barry.
PAUL (Carterton North Island, Jul 2021 - 6 days)
Having required a house sitter at short notice, we met Barry. He was professional and responsible and very amenable. He took great care of our cosy home and we would recommend him to any one. We will have back any time he is available and we need his services again
CAROLYN AND PETER (Taihape North Island, May 2021 - 3 weeks)
Another fantastic sit from Barry - the dogs are really at ease with him, and he keeps the house impeccably too. Can't thank you enough, Barry
TONY AND JENNY (Island Bay North Island, Feb 2021 - 2 weeks - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks again to you Barry for your care of our house and animals. We were able to holiday without any concerns and came home to find happy pets and an immaculate house. Barry even went so far as to leave behind fresh bags of animal food and a bottle of milk in the fridge. If you ever feel like a holiday in Carterton again we'd love to have you back here. Highly recommend Barry to others!
MICAELA (Carterton North Island, Jan 2020 - 6 days)
Barry looked after my home and pets really well. The house was left tidy and clean, with the linen washed and hung to dry. My elderly pug and recently acquired cat seemed happy and well. Bella was really spoiled with 3 walks a day - now she has me back! Barry was kind and considerate - he had to administer eye drops 2-3 times a day for my dog. He was also obliging by fulfilling a couple of requests in the house and garden. He was also excellent at keeping in touch by email and text, ... MOREBarry looked after my home and pets really well. The house was left tidy and clean, with the linen washed and hung to dry. My elderly pug and recently acquired cat seemed happy and well. Bella was really spoiled with 3 walks a day - now she has me back! Barry was kind and considerate - he had to administer eye drops 2-3 times a day for my dog. He was also obliging by fulfilling a couple of requests in the house and garden. He was also excellent at keeping in touch by email and text, letting me know how things were going. I appreciated that. I have no hesitation in recommending him to look after your home and pets. Thank you Barry - hope you can come again one day when you're not booked up!
ANGELA (Stoke South Island, Aug 2019 - 2 weeks 2 days)
Barry was a wonderful house sitter. We came home to a lovely clean house and happy cat.
Wouldn't hesitate to have Barry back!
JOCASTA (Titahi Bay North Island, May 2019 - 4 weeks)
Barry took wonderful care of my two cats and went the extra mile to stay on for a day when our return flight was delayed. Great communication also. I wouldn't hesitate to have Barry back.
TRACEY (Te Aro North Island, Apr 2019 - 5 days)
Barry did housesit for a month so we asked him to come a couple of days earlier, he did but in the afternoon he decided to go out shopping while we wanted to show him how the mower worked in more detail.
As he wanted to mow the lawn the mower did not break but he did not know how to put it on when it automatically stopped. So that did not happen. Not too bad as we did mow the grass before we left.
But the major issue was that in the last week he asked when we would arrive but that was 2 ... MOREBarry did housesit for a month so we asked him to come a couple of days earlier, he did but in the afternoon he decided to go out shopping while we wanted to show him how the mower worked in more detail.
As he wanted to mow the lawn the mower did not break but he did not know how to put it on when it automatically stopped. So that did not happen. Not too bad as we did mow the grass before we left.
But the major issue was that in the last week he asked when we would arrive but that was 2 days before we would arrive as it was clear in all the communication that it was till the 14th and not till the 12th so we had to ask him to contact a friend (who I already contacted) to help with feeding the cat.
When we got home the chicken door was wide open and the cat had a lot of hairballs as she was not brushed for a while (not sure if that happened in the last 2 days).
INGRID (Paraparaumu Beach North Island, Mar 2019 - 4 weeks)
We were so pleased to have Barry house-sit for us for over two months at our Stokes Valley home (December-January). He came over and met our boys, and confirmed he could look after them and their special dietary requirements. After meeting with Barry, chatting and getting to know him - we had no problems leaving our boys in his care.
He is tidy, considerate and great at communication (we loved receiving the side-splitting email updates of our wee terrors!).
Archie and Alvin were very well ... MOREWe were so pleased to have Barry house-sit for us for over two months at our Stokes Valley home (December-January). He came over and met our boys, and confirmed he could look after them and their special dietary requirements. After meeting with Barry, chatting and getting to know him - we had no problems leaving our boys in his care.
He is tidy, considerate and great at communication (we loved receiving the side-splitting email updates of our wee terrors!).
Archie and Alvin were very well cared for, super relaxed around Barry and even lost some weight that they needed to! Alvin is a very timid cat and takes a while to warm to new people but Barry seemed to manage this with ease - after Barry left - Alvin pitched up daily in Barry's room, searching for him and calling out.
We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Barry for your house-sitting needs and hope he can come back in future.
RACHAEL (Stokes Valley North Island, Nov 2018 - 2 months)
Barry came to meet myself and the dogs before coming to do the house sit. I could tell from this meeting that all would be well whilst I was away,. Barry also came the night before I left so the dogs were comfortable with him when went. He also gave good communications during the sit. Very happy to recommend Barry as a perfect sitter.
JAN (Paraparaumu North Island, Oct 2018 - 3 weeks)
This was our first experience of house sitting /pet minding and it turned out to be a very positive one. We are grateful to Barry who took great care of our Swiss shepherd and the house was in an immaculate state upon our return. Communication was excellent and we would highly recommend Barry as a fantastic house sitter to anyone.
LIZ (Paekakariki Wellington 5034 North Island, Oct 2018 - 1 week)
Barry looked after our House, Cat & Dog superbly. We came home to a clean and tidy house and happy well feed pets. Barry would be our first choice to look after our House and Pets next time we go away if he is available. We highly recommend Barry.
GORDON & JO (Whitby North Island, Jun 2018 - 4 weeks)
We HIGHLY recommend Barry as a sitter after an amazing experience before and whilst we were in Europe for 3 weeks.
Before the sit commenced, Barry came around twice to meet our 3 dogs, which we greatly appreciated.
He struck up a fantastic relationship with both us, and our dogs, and the constant hilarious (and I mean Hilarious) email updates were a highlight.
Again, we would highly recommend Barry for your sit, and will have no hesitation in having him back in our home.
SHAWN (Waikanae North Island, May 2018 - 2 weeks 1 day)
This was our first time, and Barry was absolutely right for our house, our dogs, and us. We had a few days overlap at start and finish, so were able to get to know and understand each other. When we came home after a month the dogs were pleased to see us, but had clearly been very content in our absence. Unconditional recommendation!
TONY AND JENNY (Island Bay North Island, May 2017 - 1 month 1 week - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
We were privileged to have Barry come into our home and look after our dog and stick insects. He goes above and beyond. He sent us wonderful emails that had us laughing out loud. When we returned home, our house was spotless...probably better than we left it. I highly recommend Barry. We can't praise him enough and are grateful that we could go away and not worry about our home and animals. Thank you Barry ;0)
RORY (Miramar North Island, Apr 2017 - 3 weeks)
Barry was reliable with a capital R, and could not have been better to have house sitting for us. Jesse was well looked after with two walks a day and the house was immaculate on our return. He was thoughtful and we know Jesse was very happy indeed in his care. Highly recommend Barry.
GEOFF AND ERIN (Pinehaven North Island, Jan 2017 - 1 week 1 day)
Barry has been wonderful. I have come home to a very happy dog and left the house clean and tidy. Great communication and incredibly helpful and reliable. Barry is an awesome house sitter and would highly recommend him.
REBECCA (Paraparaumu North Island, Jan 2017 - 1 week 6 days)
Barry looked after our house over Christmas / New Year. Looked after the house and chickens very well. Happy to recommend Barry.
ROY (Ngaio North Island, Dec 2016 - 1 week 5 days)
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