Animal Loving Mature Kiwi w/ References!

More information about this house sitter

About ST JOHN

I’m a Kiwi in my forties who’s been out in the world for quite a spell, now coming back to Melbourne (arrived Jan 1st 2023) to be close to family and old friends. I’m a writer, technician, former event space owner, and I’ve house/pet-sit aplenty (ask me for contact details for them):

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA (REFERENCES BELOW & all pictured in gallery)

*2024, November, Preston: (repeat) Neelix the adventure cat.

*2024, November, South Yarra: (repeat) Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2024, October, South Kensington: Sterling the giant softy Alaskan Malamute and Juliet the tiny sweetest sweetie little 10 year old mix.

*2024, October, St Kilda West: (repeat) Loki the Bowie-eyed swimming Border Collie.

*2024, October, South Yarra: (repeat) Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2024, September, Northcote: (repeat) Meg the snuggly Rottweiler, Niyah and Tator the cuddly Tabbies.

*2024, September, St Kilda West: (repeat) Loki the Bowie-eyed swimming Border Collie.

*2024, August, CBD: (repeat) Buddy the big boy Ginger and Gracie the graceful fur ball.

*2024, August, Pascoe Vale South: Millie and Gertie the charming wee bulldogs.

*2024, July, St Kilda West: (repeat) Loki the Bowie-eyed swimming Border Collie.

*2024, July, Pascoe Vale: (repeat) Truffle the sweetie Border Collie.

*2024, June, North Carlton: (repeat) Leo the classy Labradoodle.

*2024, June, Reservoir: (repeat) Basil the ginger go getter cat.

*2024, June, South Yarra: (repeat) Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2024, June, Richmond: Hamish and Billy the twin non twin Bichon Frise.

*2024, May, Port Melbourne: Vegemite the giddy super mix Terrier.

*2024, May, Coburg: (repeat) Stephen the big big big lovable Arab Bull Great Dane.

*2024, May, Preston: (repeat) Wedge the 8 month old West Highland White Terrier and Milo his big patient companion cat pal

*2024, April, North Melbourne: Zak the green eyed panther.

*2024, April, St Kilda West: Loki the Bowie-eyed swimming Border Collie.

*2024, April, Hawthorn: Truffle the sweetie Border Collie.

*2024, April, Northcote: Meg the snuggly Rottweiler, Niyah and Tator the cuddly Tabbies.

*2024, April, Fitzroy: Farah the bounding Boxer.

*2024, March, CBD: Pepper the kooky Mini-Schnauzer.

*2024, March, Preston: (repeat) Wedge the 8 month old West Highland White Terrier and Milo his big patient companion cat pal

*2024, March, Preston: (repeat) Walnut the super nutty and friendly and excited Kelpie-Border Collie

*2024, March, CBD: Buddy the big boy Ginger and Gracie the graceful fur ball.

*2024, March, Heidelburg: (repeat) Fitz & Herman the fluffy German Spitz's, Shadow the playful Ragdoll, Shabeena the lovely little Burmese, and Kook the new kitten.

*2024, March, Thornbury: (repeat) Bertie the lovely old fella Beaglier

*2024 March, Coburg: (repeat) Stephen the big big big lovable Arab Bull Great Dane

*2024 February-March, Pascoe Vale South: Lovable Olive the 11-year-old German Shepherd in the last period of her life, Dave the super ever excited 4-year-old Aussie Shepherd, and Oscar the 17-year-old curious turtle

*2024 February, South Yarra: (repeat) Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2024 February, Preston: (repeat) Walnut the super nutty and friendly and excited Kelpie-Border Collie

*2024 February, South Yarra: (repeat) Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2024 February, North Carlton: Leo the classy Labradoodle.

*2024 February, North Melbourne: Moose the all white Bulldog

*2024 January, Reservoir: (repeat) Maggie and Mickey the cute kitties.

*2024 January, Reservoir: (repeat) Kylo the sweet lovely Brindle.

*2024 January, Sandringham: (repeat) Tana the fun and jumpy 8 year old German Shepherd, Allan the cutie ginger, Buster the cheeky rescue kitty, Tubby the big fur ball lady, and a pond of goldfish.

*2023 December, Coburg: (repeat) Stephen the big big big loveable Arab Bull Great Dane

*2023 December, Brunswick: Young playful cats Prashka and Vaska

*2023 November, South Yarra: Gnocchi the Led Zeppelin English Spring Spaniel and Archie the smartest cat in town

*2023 November, Preston: (repeat) Neelix the adventure cat.

*2023 November, Reservoir: Basil the ginger go getter cat

*2023 November, Coburg: Stephen the big big big loveable Arab Bull Great Dane

*2023 November, Preston: (repeat) Neelix the adventure cat.

*2023 October-November, North Fitzroy: Ms. Goblin, the Halloween special

*2023 October, Thornbury: (repeat) Stella the starry eyed Greyhound

*2023, October, Pascoe Vale: Cairo and Mazzy and Kinski the three mus-cat-eers

*2023 September-October, Preston: Walnut the super nutty and friendly and excited Kelpie-Border Collie

*2023 September, Preston: Wedge the 8 month old West Highland White Terrier and Milo his big patient companion cat pal

*2023 September, Thornbury: Stella the starry eyed Greyhound

*2023 September: (repeat) Frankie the super hyper loving Terrier and her pal Rabbit the hairless Sphinx

*2023 September, Preston: (repeat) Calvin the cheeky rescue cat and Oreo the even cheekier black and white kitty

*2023 September, Rosanna: (repeat) Moose the super excited Terrier-Kelpie and Panda the super sweet Australian Cattle Dog

*2023 August-September, Thornbury: (repeat) Bertie the lovely old fella Beaglier

*2023 August, Alphington: Aytee the lovely old gentle Bull Terrier

*2023 July-August, Clifton Hill: Elsa the bush lovin' Blue Heeler

*2023 July, Northcote: Nala the soft as soft Golden Retriever and Jasper the Houdini cat

*2023 June, Reservoir: Maggie and Mickey the cuddle twin cats.

*2023 June, Preston: Neelix the adventure cat.

* 2023 June, Collingwood: Frankie the super hyper loving Terrier and her pal Rabbit the hairless Sphinx

*2023 June, Preston: Calvin the cheeky rescue cat and Oreo the even cheekier black and white kitty

* 2023 May, Rosanna: Moose the super excited Terrier-Kelpie and Panda the super sweet Australian Cattle Dog

*2023 June/July, Northcote: Nala the fluffy Golden Retriever and Japser the freewheelin' kitty.

*2023 June, Reservoir: Maggie and Mickey the cute kitties.

* 2023 May, Thornbury: Aarli the spritzy 15 year old Jack Russel.

* 2023 April, Sandringham: Blitza the 12 year old gentle giant German Shepherd, Tana the fun and jumpy 8 year old German Shepherd, Allan the cutie ginger, Buster the cheeky rescue kitty, Tubby the big fur ball lady, and a pond of goldfish.

* 2023 March, Reservoir: Kitsune and Mecho the purr monsters (Kitsune needing surprise meds).

* 2023 March, Pascoe Vale: Buddy the muscly cheeky little hyper Boxer..

* 2023 March, Reservoir: (several repeats) Kylo the sweet lovely Brindle.

* 2023 February, St. Kilda: Ruby the wide eyed cutie King Charles Spaniel.

* 2023 February, Reservoir: Fritz and Herman the German Spitz's, Shabeena the tiny Burmese, and Shadow the Ragdoll.

* 2023, January-February, Epping: Ned the feisty 6 year old Blue Heeler and Missy the shy 13 year old chihuahua.

* 2023 January, South Yarra: Phantom the cuddly shy black Schipperke.

* 2023 January, South Yarra: 3.5 year old Alfie the Dachshund.

INTERNATIONAL

• 2022, Mexico, Pet-sit: 5 months in Yucatan pet-sitting Tiger, a very, very big Cane Corso with a very big heart.

• 2021-2022, Iceland, House-sit: 7 months in beautiful downtown Reykjavik apartment — no pets but I kept the humongous house plants thriving!

• 2016-2019, USA, House/Pet-sit: Many times caring for a constantly traveling friend's lively wee Terrier, Laverne.

• 2017-2019, USA, House/Pet-sit: Many times caring for a constantly traveling friend's mischievous cat, Roxy.

• 2010-2019, USA, House-sit: Many times looking after my father’s partner’s Brooklyn apartment.

• 2012, USA, House/Pet-sit: 6 weeks pet-sitting two outdoor cats in Boston.

• 2019-2022, Hungary, Related Responsibilities: For 3 years living in Budapest, with my ex wife and our Hungarian rescue multi mix breed, Zippy, I co-founded and co-ran an art & community event space and city-block-sized urban farm.

I’m clean, handy, conscientious, mature, and I love animals and plants. I spend my free time working on my own writing projects (presently a novel), so am extremely solitary, low key, and quiet.

I look forward to caring for your house and/or pets just as lovingly as you do. References below from people I’ve pet and house-sat for.

Thanks!

St John

All police checks available

HOUSE/PET-SITTING REFERENCES:

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

Highly recommend John! He was absolutely amazing, sent regular updates and photos along with left the apartment spotless.

-- Farida with Sterling and Juliet, South Kensington

John was a wonderful carer for our 2 Boys -1 needed medicine daily and he took good care of them and our home.

-- Kristin with Billy and Hamish, Richmond

John was super responsive and easy to work with. He pet sat for a few days and I got lovely updates. My dog had a great time and I would book John again.

-- Tash with Vegemite, Port Melbourne

Over the moon! Having never left my border collie, Loki for a long period of time. I was a little nervous to say the least! John made a connection with Loki in seconds. I was sent lots of photo updates at his favourite places, the beach and park or curled up sleeping. I could see how happy Loki was and I think it may have been just as much a holiday for him and it was for me!! Highly recommend!

-- Erin with Loki, St Kilda West

Super good dog sitter and will definitely book with St again.

-- Yang with Truffle, Hawthorn

John was an excellent dog and house sitter. He took wonderful care of Farah with lots of walks and games. It was lovely to get all the photos. Very friendly and interesting person. I highly recommend.

-- Tamsin with Farah, Fitzroy

My dog and two cats were spoiled so much while I was away! And I was kept up to date with photos of their many adventures. Thanks so much. We’ll definitely be booking you again, the gang already miss you!

-- Ashley with Meg, Niyah, & Tator

St. John takes great care of our dog Walnut. We've booked him multiple times and hope to keep booking him in as our regular dog sitter. Thanks again!

-- (repeat) -- Robin and Lydia with Walnut, Preston

John was a very fun guy who kept Pepper accompanied while we were gone. Pepper was very calm and relax with him, he took good care of Pepper!

-- Lucius with pepper, CBD

John did an amazing job as always with our boy Stephen.

-- (repeat) Julian and Stephen the Arab Bull Great Dane

StJohn made it possible to enjoy our holiday. He has taken wonderful care of our two dogs. Olive our old German Shepherd has a complex list of meds and wound care and St John has managed all this. Dave our Aussie Shepherd is smitten. We get regular photos and funny texts as updates. StJohn has given us a great deal of comfort. Olive doesn’t give her heart easily but appears to have done so.

-- Sharon with Olive and Dave, Pascoe Vale South

Thanks for looking after Walnut again. Happy dog and clean house :)

-- (repeat) Robin and Lydia with Walnut, Preston

Thanks again John for looking after our boys!! Very happy and well loved 🥰

— Kathleen & Lex with Gnocchi the English Springer Spaniel and Archie cat, South Yarra

Our Labradoodle Leo was very happy with John and so were we. We were sent lots of updates of our happy boy and the house was left in perfect condition. Thank you John.

-- Philippa and Leo, North Carlton

Thanks for taking such good care of the kitties again SJ! Maggie has loved the attention and Mickey has definitely come out of his shell more! You’re definitely one of the good ones!

-- (repeat) Vanessa with Mickey and Maggie, Reservoir

John absolutely adores the animals and really enjoys all their company. He leaves the house very clean and would recommend. This is the 2nd time we have used him.

-- (repeat) Sara & Frederik & Annabelle & Blitz & Tana & Allan & Buster & Tubby & fish, Sandringham

John is a total legend. Out boy Steve loves hanging out with him and he

takes such great care of him. Will definitely be booking john again!

-- (repeat) Julian and Stephen the Arab Bull Great Dane

John looked after my 2 cats while I was away over Christmas. Cats are happy, plants are happy and when I returned apartment was cleaner than when I left it. Very grateful and highly recommend.

-- Sofia and cats Prashka and Vaska, Brunswick

John did such a fantastic job looking after our boys - heaps of photo updates, two very happy boys and clean house when we arrived home. Wouldn't hesitate to have John look after them again - thanks so much :)

— Kathleen & Lex with Gnocchi the English Springer Spaniel and Archie cat, South Yarra

(Repeat) We come back and our cat still has a voice, is chill and happy, and the house is in great nick too. He's there looking after the cat, and incidentially the house, which is a great peace of mind.

— Chris with Neelix cat, Preston

SJ was great! Really good communicator and sent lots of updates while we were away. Came home to a relaxed cat and a very clean home. We would definitely highly recommend SJ to anyone looking for a pet sitter! Thank you very much for looking after Basil.

— Emily with Basil cat, Reservoir

John took amazing care of both our boy Stephen and the house. Will definitely be booking John again to hang out with our boy! Thanks again mate.

— Jukian with Stephen the Bull Arab Great Dane dog

She’s so chilled, lolling across my lap for the last few hours. Thanks again!

— Jay Cee with Ms. Goblin cat, North Fitzroy

St John was an amazing dog sitter! He took great care of Walnut and the house. Provided lots of lovely updates, took Walnut out to the park and played games with him. Came home after a long overnight flight to clean sheets and a happy, chill dog. Will definitely book again 😀

-- Robin and Lydia with Walnut, Preston

SJ was totally amazing. We had a health scare with our old boy and SJ went over and above to nurse Bertie back to good health, super conscientious with his meds, patient with him and very assuring to me. He was easy going, calm and completely loving and we returned to a happy, healthy pup. I would absolutely recommend SJ to anyone, he is truly an incredible man.

-- Alex and Nick with Bertie, Thornbury

Our elderly bully Aytee was in such good hands with St John. He sent us regular pics and updates, followed our medication instructions perfectly, and looked after our house as well as our pet! We definitely recommend St John and will call on him again!

-- Amanda with Aytee, Alphington

John was great with our dog and cat, and looked after them perfectly! A very nice,

easy going person, would highly recommend!

-- Rowena and fam with Nala and Jasper, Northcote

StJohn took such great care of our cats and our house. Our older cat Maggie loved StJohn and was so chilled when we came home. Our new nervous kitten hadn’t been around my other humans and you could tell he had grown-up more and was more comfortable with new people. The house was well looked after and clean on our return. Even the sheets and towels had been washed. Would highly recommend StJohn!

-- Vanessa with Mickey and Maggie, Reservoir

John is so kind, caring and thoughtful! My cats were so comfortable and looked

after ☺️

-- Bronte w Calvin and Oreo, Preston

John was absolutely fantastic. Great to deal with and took amazing care of our two

dogs. Would highly recommend!

-- Cas w Panda and Moose, Rosanna

John instantly bonded with our animals in the first meet and greet. We have a very large and busy animal family - 2 35kg German Shepherds (one elderly), 3 cats including 2 rescue cats plus 7 outdoor fish so it was important to have the right person.. We loved his joy at our rescue cat playing with a large dog. John has an easy attitude and nothing phased him. We would recommend John as a sitter.

-- Sara & Frederik & Annabelle & Blitz & Tana & Allan & Buster & Tubby & fish, Sandringham

John is highly recommended to look after your beloved pet(s) and home. John completed a meet and greet prior to the sitting commencing and kept in contact throughout the whole process and the time I was away. I wrote a very loose manual on things around the home, feeding etc. All instructions were followed. I came home to a happy dog and a clean linen bedroom, which was fabulous. Please don’t all book John as I’d like him to come back for my next trip!!!!

-- Lycette & Buddy, Pascoe Vale

St John took care of my two cats one of which was unexpectantly unwell and required medication administering twice daily. St John was happy to give my cat his meds which I was grateful for, so I didn't have to cancel my weekend away.

-- Erin & Ketsune & Mecho, Reservoir

I had the wonderful pleasure of John pet sitting for my two dogs and two cats. They all absolutely loved him. My house and pets were left in perfect condition. I highly recommend his services and will definitely have him back every time I go away. He absolutely gave us a 5 star service.

-- Helen C & Herman & Fritz & Shabeena & Shadow, Thornbury

(Multiple) John was excellent, great communication and clearly took great care of Kylo. Highly recommended.

Another fantastic stay with John! Thanks for taking such good care of our boy.

-- Hannah & Kylo, Reservoir

We had an overseas trip booked and after our initial sitter fell through, John came to our rescue and looked after our 9 year old, needy pup. Our flight was early in the morning, John made a long journey over to be with Ruby at sparrows fart which made us very appreciative and at ease prior to our flight. We received daily updates with photos and funny stories and knew that our Ruby was in great hands. Communication was easy, nothing was a problem and we came home to a tidy house and happy pup. Thank you for taking such good care of our old girl SJ, we hope to have you sit for us again in the future.

Best skills:

Pets well cared for, Followed instructions, Home neat and clean, Maintained garden, Punctual, Resourceful

— Natalie & Chris & Ruby, St. Kilda

You couldn’t ask for anyone better to look after your fur baby. John was great. He came over to meet me before I went away and I felt completely at ease. Whilst away I got pics and updates as well. I’m going away again in a few weeks and wouldn’t have anyone else to look after my pooch. Ver happy!

-- Debbie & Phantom, South Yarra

Hi there, John looked after our home & baby Alfie (dog) for 2 weeks and he was fantastic. Sent me pics regularly, met everyone in our hood on his several walks a day with Alfie. Came home to a clean & tidy home, he did an excellent job & we’d have him back anytime. I’ve even recommended him to my friends. Happy to chat if you want a reference, we highly recommend him. Cheers Alicia

-- Alicia & Tony & Alfie, South Yarra

MEXICO

My brother St. John has been feeding, running, playing, swimming, and have stay with him my Cane Corso, Tiger, for 5 months to December, 2022. Tiger was thin, now he’s all muscle again, a miraglo. Tiger will miss him very much.

— Carlos Erosa, Construction Company Owner, Merida, Mexico

ICELAND

Jon and I met St. John (still can’t get over that name!) when he came to Iceland in 2021 to do one of his shows at the Reykjavik Fringe Festival. We became friends very fast and he would come out stay with us where we live way way way out in the sticks. When he was coming back to work on writing his novel (which we are waiting for!) I had him stay at our Reykjavik apartment for seven months so he could water our plants. He even did a deep cleanse of our disaster kitchen. Miss him!

— Sigríður Vilhjálmsdóttir, Television & Radio Journalist & Newscaster, Reykjavik, Iceland

What she said!

— Jon Bjornsson, Helicopter Pilot, Reykjavik, Iceland

USA

We’ve been friends since 2016, we’re in an art collective together, and he had a great friendship with my dog, Laverne. So it was only natural that very soon after meeting, when I’d travel for work, he’d come stay and care for her. Come back, my friend!

— Lorraine Glover, Architect, New York, USA

USA

I’m Roxy the cat. I share a Brooklyn apartment with a guy named Tim who has a best pal called St. John who came and stayed with me loads when Tim was away in something called the UK. St. John is my pal now, too, he loved to wake up in the morning by me pawing his face. Maybe Tim will take me to his new home, the one with the jumping mice. Yum.

— Roxy the Cat, c/o Timothy Hawker Watkins, Filmmaker, New York, USA

HUNGARY

St. John was (is) dad to our rescue dog Zippy and when we broke up Zippy would spend many day a week at his place. The best day was when St. John ran the Budapest marathon and I raced Zippy round to cheer him at different checkpoints. We co-founded and co-ran a community art space, urban farm and event space, small eco-festivals, and a home vegan restaurant, so I know he’s super responsible and reliable!

— Anna Margit, Community Organiser (& Recovering Architect), Budapest, Hungary Read more...