Lap up a life of luxury as a pet-sitter

They’re some of the most luxurious residences in Queensland and beyond — and you could live there for free if you’re willing to do a little pooper scooping.

Kristeen Parsons travels the world looking after people's pets in luxury accomodation, pictured with Geisha the swiss white shepherd at North Lakes. Picture: Lachie Millard

LIVING the lavish lifestyle of a celebrity and staying in some of the most luxurious mansions in the world could be possible for free – if you look after the owner’s pets.

Forget about hotels and Airbnb – the next wave of holiday accommodation is house and pet-sitting, and it’s easy to see why, once photos of the homes are attached to the ad.

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TrustedHousesitters, a global pet and house-sitting site, has revealed some of the most glamorous properties on its books, including a beachfront mansion in Holloways Beach, a home overlooking a canal near Caloundra, and an open patio nestled on the water at the Gold Coast.

It’s no surprise the organisation saw a 99.58 per cent increase in membership sign-ups last year, as a $99 membership can buy unlimited access to incredible homes the world over.

TrustedHousesitters community manager Angela Laws said more people were travelling overseas to look after homes and pets.

“House and pet-sitting is becoming a new travel trend as more pet lovers discover the wide variety of home listings around the world and we are paving the way forward,” she said.

Pet-sitter Kristeen Parsons has stayed in luxury homes she refers to as “six-star properties”.

“In August last year, I flew to London and then straight into the first of nine pet-sits,” she said.

“From caring for six Scottish Terriers in Durham to staying in a 12th-century thatched cottage in Kenilworth, flying across to Stockholm, Sweden on two days’ notice then on to Ireland for a 10-day pet sit.”

She said pet-sitting let her combine her passion for travel and love of pets in one big adventure.