British family offers €69,000 salary to care for one dog on private estate

A British family has attracted widespread attention after offering a salary of £60,000 per year, equivalent to around €69,000, for a live-in employee to care for their dog at a private estate in Surrey. The position, located south of London, includes accommodation within the grounds and has been managed through the recruitment firm Achieve Hospitality.

The vacancy has been widely reported in the media due to the level of pay attached to a role centred on the care of a single animal. However, information released about the position indicates that the responsibilities extend beyond basic pet care and include a range of tasks linked to the running of a private household.

Duties include supervision, care and coordination

According to details of the role, the person employed would be responsible for the dog’s daily routine, including feeding, walking and grooming. Monitoring the animal’s health and behaviour also forms part of the work, alongside arranging veterinary appointments when required.

The role involves coordination with external professionals such as trainers and groomers. Reports indicate that maintaining continuity of care is a key aspect of the position, particularly as the dog’s owners travel frequently. As a result, the individual is expected to remain on the estate and ensure the animal is not left alone for extended periods.

In addition to caring for the dog, the position includes tasks connected to the wider management of the household. These include receiving deliveries, assisting other staff and overseeing routine matters within the property. Some reports also refer to light administrative duties and occasional outdoor responsibilities.

Residential arrangement and working pattern

The position is based on a residential arrangement, with the employee expected to live on the estate in Surrey. Accommodation is provided in a separate house within the grounds, allowing the person responsible for the dog to remain on site.

The working schedule has been described as running from Sunday to Thursday, generally between 9:00 and 18:00. However, flexibility is required due to the nature of the role, particularly when the family is away from the property. The expectation that the dog should not be left unattended means the arrangement extends beyond fixed working hours.

Experience and conditions linked to the role

Reports indicate that prior experience with dogs is considered important, given the responsibility involved in managing the animal’s daily care. The position is based within a private household, and discretion is therefore regarded as necessary.

Experience in similar environments, such as domestic service or estate work, has also been cited as relevant during the recruitment process. It has been reported that, subject to agreement, the person selected may be able to live on the estate with a partner and, in some cases, their own pets.

High level of interest following publication

The vacancy generated a large number of applications shortly after being made public. The combination of salary and accommodation contributed to the level of attention, particularly as roles of this type are limited in number.

According to reports, the volume of responses led to the application process being closed earlier than planned. Recruitment firms handling comparable positions have noted that roles offering residential arrangements alongside defined responsibilities tend to attract significant interest when advertised.

Context of the offer

Although the salary is higher than many pet sitting roles focused solely on animal care, the position involves a broader set of responsibilities and a requirement to live on site. The need for continuous supervision of the dog is a central element of the arrangement, shaping both the working pattern and the residential requirement.

Such roles are not uncommon within large private estates, where staff may combine specific duties with general household responsibilities. In this case, the combination of salary, accommodation and expectations has drawn attention to the conditions associated with employment in private domestic settings.

A position defined by availability and responsibility

The role shows how roles involving animal care can take on additional scope when linked to a residential arrangement. The requirement to remain on the estate and ensure the dog’s routine is maintained distinguishes the position from standard employment in the same field.

The response to the vacancy shows the level of interest that can be generated by roles that combine accommodation with a good salary, even where the responsibilities extend beyond clearly defined working hours.