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  9. Keep calm and adopt a goat: Megan & Kevin's story

Keep calm and adopt a goat: Megan & Kevin's story

TrustedHousesitters blog Author - Sophie Reeve
Sophie Reeve
30 October 20243 min read

When Megan and Kevin bought their 5-acre property in 2020, their vision was simple: create a loving home for their old rescue horse. They built a pasture and a horse shed, but it quickly became apparent that he seemed “pretty lonely.” Knowing that goats are often kept with racehorses to keep them calm, and with a connection to a family that ran a small goat dairy, they decided to adopt their first goat, Whitson.

“He has a great personality and was extra friendly with people right from the start,” Megan recalled, making him the perfect fit.

But with a growing family of animals and a trip to Europe on the horizon, who would look after their furry friends while they were away?

 “We decided to give TrustedHousesitters a try, and we were thrilled!”

An affordable answer to in-home pet care

“Prior to finding TrustedHousesitters, we had been paying $100 a day plus tip for a house sitter,” Megan said. Going away for 10 days at a time meant those costs added up fast.

With annual memberships starting at just £119, TrustedHousesitters was the perfect choice. It made travel more affordable for the couple while keeping their beloved animals in safe hands. “It’s a win-win!” they tell friends, delighted that sitters can experience their beautiful home while caring for their pets.

The goats Whitson and Georgie, along with pup pal Memphis

Travel with total peace of mind

The pair had fun setting up their profile and sharing the highlights of their home and pets.  

“When we set our final dates, we ended up finding a local family and were able to meet before the sit, which helped ease our ‘first timer’ nerves.”

But they needn’t have worried!

“We loved it!” they exclaimed. “The sitters sent us videos and photos of them with the animals, including a game of tag with Whitson the goat when he refused to go home for the night. When we got home, the animals were all really well taken care of – it was wonderful.”

Since joining TrustedHousesitters, Megan and Kevin have traded pet care duties to enjoy trips to Ireland, Mexico, and Spain – all with complete peace of mind.

“You get wonderful, engaged, and friendly people to take care of your pets, and the sitters get to experience how and where you live in a really grounded, authentic way.”

Whitson and Georgie keeping watch!

A “mutually beneficial solution” to pet care

Since the death of their beloved horse last winter, the family now consists of two lively goats and a lovable terrier named Memphis. Still, TrustedHousesitters offers the best of both worlds for Megan and Kevin – affordable pet care and a unique experience for travelers.

“The thing about goats is that you can’t stop smiling when you’re around them,” they explained. “Their playful curiosity leads them to explore their surroundings in unexpected ways – pawing at things, chewing on whatever’s nearby, and climbing onto anything new, including the car!”

One of their goats, Georgie, has become particularly well-known for his antics. “If Georgie was a human, he’d be a little punk skater.” He’s often seen headbanging on trees or attempting to ‘surf’ the wheelbarrow down the hill. His boundless energy and personality always keeps them laughing.

Today, the couple recommend TrustedHousesitters to friends and family as a great way to travel while keeping their pets safe and well-cared for. And with more adventures on the horizon, Megan and Kevin are grateful for the peace of mind they’ve found, knowing they can enjoy their trips and come home to happy pets.

“It’s almost time to plan our next adventure!” they say.

TrustedHousesitters is alpaca-approved

Horses, goats, and…alpacas? At TrustedHousesitters, we’ve seen it all! Find out how pet parent Christine got on when she left her 23 alpacas – plus a Labradoodle and a tabby cat – under the care of trusted sitters like Silvi and Lucas.  

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