Celebrating 38 Years of Animal Aunts: Pet & House Sitting Since 1987
This month, Animal Aunts proudly celebrates 38 incredible years of keeping pets happy and homes secure! Since 1987, we’ve been the reliable choice for pet sitting and house sitting services across the UK and beyond, thanks to the vision of our founder, Gillie McNicol.
I sat down with Gillie to reflect on this milestone, hear some memorable stories, and get a peek at what’s next for Animal Aunts. Grab a cuppa, and join us!
A Chat With Our Founder, Gillie McNicol
Gayna: 38 years is a huge milestone, Gillie! How does it feel?
It’s quite surreal! It’s hard to believe it’s been 38 years since I started Animal Aunts in a tiny bedroom office at my parents’ house in Grayshott. I never imagined that others would love house and animal sitting as much as I did.
We’ve grown into a family of over 400 Aunts, caring for everything from dogs to donkeys, alpacas to snakes – even animals with complex medical or behavioural needs. I’m grateful to all our clients who trust us with their beloved pets and homes. Many have been with us for decades – some are even second-generation clients!
And of course, our dedicated Aunts make it all possible. It feels like we’re not just celebrating years, but thousands of wagging tails, happy pets, and secure homes. You can read some of our testimonials here.
Gayna: Do you remember the very first Animal Aunts job?
Absolutely! It was a farm in Hindhead, caring for two Labradors, two cats, about 20 calves, and five ponies. That job showed me how much peace of mind we could give clients – and it set the tone for our entire approach.
I even remember housesitting there during the October 1987 storms, when roads were closed and power was out for two weeks. Despite everything, I was also driving out daily to care for another client’s cats. Over the years, many Aunts have faced similar challenges – stranded in storms, coping without power or water – but they always go above and beyond!
The Origins of Animal Aunts
Gayna: What inspired you to start Animal Aunts?
Honestly, it just happened. I’ve always loved animals. Before Animal Aunts, I worked with horses and livestock in the UK, ran the Crete branch of the Hellenic Animal Welfare Fund, co-owned a pet shop, and managed a riding club in Crete.
Gillie of Animal Aunts in her pet sitting role
When I brought my dog, Zambia, back to the UK from Greece (after a tough 6-month quarantine), I realised there was no real alternative to kennels or catteries. I wanted to create a service where animals could stay in their own environment, cared for like family, giving their owners true peace of mind.
With the help of the Enterprise Allowance Scheme and its excellent business courses, Animal Aunts was born in June 1987.
How Pet & Home Care Has Evolved
Gayna: What’s changed most since the early days?
The industry has transformed. In the 1980s, pet-sitting was often an informal favour from a friend or neighbour. We pioneered a professional, fully insured approach, with vetted Aunts living in clients’ homes.
Technology has made a huge impact too. Today, clients expect photo and video updates – whereas in the early days, a single phone call during a three-week holiday was a luxury!
We now care for a wider variety of pets, including alpacas, snakes, parrots, and more. And we’ve adapted to many challenges, from foot and mouth disease to bird flu, always staying sharp on biosecurity and best practices.
Gayna: How have clients’ expectations changed?
Clients have always treated their pets like family, but today they want even more personalised, bespoke care. In the past, a good walk and some feeding would suffice. Now, Aunts follow detailed daily routines from dawn to dusk, caring for everything from dogs and horses to plants and greenhouses.
Security is now a big concern – clients appreciate that we keep their homes safe and tidy, often helping to prevent burglaries (we’ve even had an Aunt scare off intruders in her nightie once!).
Moments of Pride
Gayna: What are some of your proudest moments?
There are so many! Seeing our Aunts step in during emergencies, or support each other when needed. Hearing clients say they couldn’t have managed without us.
Serving over 140,000 clients is incredible. Building a professional team of over 400 Aunts, many working full time, going from booking to booking, is something I’m very proud of.
Winning a 1989 court ruling that confirmed our Aunts as self-employed (despite early legal challenges) was also a milestone.
Of course, the personal stories mean the most – like when an Aunt’s quick thinking saved a dog’s life, or when a client told us: “If I ask Animal Aunts to give my horses a tangerine at 10pm, they will do it without blinking an eye!”
The People & Pets Behind the Name
Gayna: What qualities make a great Animal Aunt?
A great Aunt has deep experience with animals – whether cats, dogs, llamas, or horses. Many of our Aunts are ex-vets, teachers, equestrian specialists, or animal welfare professionals.
They are reliable, follow client routines to the letter, and are ready to handle anything – from a sick pet to an escaping alpaca! Empathy, adaptability, and great communication are key.
We also look for enthusiasm, humour, and crisis management skills. Our Aunts have handled everything from burst water pipes to armed police on a client’s lawn after a mouse chewed through alarm wires!
Gayna: How do you match the right Aunt to the right client?
It’s a bit like matchmaking! Our office team gets to know each client’s needs – pets, routines, and home care – and matches them with the right Aunt.
Location matters, but the perfect match is about skills and personality. We use a bespoke computer system (one of the first of its kind for small businesses) to streamline everything.
We’re also lucky to have Donna (24 years) and Seonaid (9 years in the office, 16 years as an Aunt) on the team. They know every Aunt and client, inside out!
Looking Ahead
Gayna: What do you love most about running Animal Aunts?
The joy of knowing we make a difference. Every time an Aunt sends a photo of a happy pet, or a client says, “I couldn’t have gone away without you,” it makes it all worthwhile.
I love the variety – one day it’s a celebrity’s cat, the next a farmer’s goats! Our team is like a family, and our community is built on love, trust, and fun.
Gayna: What advice do you give new Aunts?
Treat every animal as if they were your own. Leave everything better than you found it. Follow routines to the letter, delight clients with extra touches, and always communicate clearly.
If in doubt, check in with us – we have the experience to help.
Gayna: What’s next for Animal Aunts?
I’m not great at “future planning” – but I hope we continue to provide excellent care while gently growing, without losing our founding values.
After saying goodbye to the last of nine generations of dogs, I recently adopted a pup from Dogs n Homes—a “scoopable” dog who turned out to be 24kg and full of energy! We’ll be learning together.
Gayna: Will Animal Aunts’ values stay the same?
Absolutely. Professionalism, trust, and a deep love for animals will always be at the heart of Animal Aunts. No matter how technology or client needs change, we will always prioritise happy pets and peace of mind.
Animal Aunts Fact File 
Founded: 1987, by Gillie McNicol in Grayshott, UK
Clients served: Over 140,000 bookings with over 75 % of all enquiries converted to bookings!
Team: Over 400 experienced Aunts
Animal expertise: Ex-vets, equestrian pros, behaviourists, welfare experts
Animals cared for: Dogs, cats, horses, parrots, alpacas, goats, snakes, tortoises, llamas, donkeys, cattle, sheep, fish, poultry, rabbits, ducks, parakeets – and even monkeys!
Longest-serving Aunt: Auntie Janet – 38 years of service
Most unusual request: A diabetic Capuchin monkey on one occasion; also a micro pig on a narrowboat!
Coverage: UK-wide – from John o’ Groats to Land’s End, plus Europe and beyond (Florida, Japan, New Zealand, Australia)
Clients: From royals and celebrities to farmers and families
Emergency cover: 24/7, 365 days a year
Fun fact: Our small office team has 88 years combined experience with Animal Aunts!
Join the Celebration!
As we mark 38 years of Animal Aunts, we’d love to hear from you! Share your stories in the comments – do you have a favourite Aunt or pet memory?
Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes adventures and updates.
Here’s to many more years of wagging tails, purring cats, and happy homes!
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