I travel the world for free thanks to my easy side hustle – I spend time in amazing places with the best company
A YOUNG woman has revealed how she travels the world for free thanks to an unusual side hustle… and anyone can do it if you love animals.
Jori “felt a bit lost in life” when working a 9 to 5 and was desperate to become a globetrotter.
She then discovered pet sitting and has used the side hustle to travel the world without ever paying for accommodation.
The 24-year-old has even managed to go whole days only spending £2.34 when food is provided by the homeowners.
Pet sitting is living in someone’s house for a set period of time to look after their beloved pooches or moggies while they’re away from home.
Jori travels the world with her partner Austin and the pair typically only spend 30 minutes to two hours looking after the pets at each home before they go exploring.
So far this year, the couple from Oregon, US have visited Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, Hawaii and London.
They are currently taking a break from international pet sitting and are road tripping around the US while pet sitting.
Jori and Austin have built a loyal following on social media – including 101k followers on Instagram – by sharing their unique lifestyle.
However, they warn that life on the road does have its downsides.
“While house sitting has granted us the ability to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, the reality remains that this lifestyle can be accompanied by its fair share of stress,” they shared on their blog Nomads and Paw Pads.
“Accidents happen – items break, and things can get lost. It can be quite stressful to handle such situations.
“Or even more concerning, what to do in the case the pet starts to show potential signs of illness or injury.
“On top of it all, you’re probably travelling a reasonable or far distance to a house sit, so you’re having to deal with the stress of travelling to a new destination and adjusting to an unfamiliar environment.”
What’s more, Jori said that sometimes a home you’re set to live in can fall short of your expectations.
“Perhaps you arrive at a home that’s cleanliness is not up to standard, or certain amenities are outdated and not functioning as expected,” she said.
“In other instances, you may discover that the pet has some naughty quirks or that they require more attention and effort than what the owner described.”
It’s not just dogs and cats they care for, either.
The pair recently found themselves looking after a bearded dragon alongside three dogs at a homestead in Montana, US.
For anyone wanting to get into international pet sitting, Jori and Austin post daily tips, tricks and advice on their social media channels.