I have friends and family that take care of things when I'm out of town. I have a whole mini farm worth of animals, but since it's a novelty for them, they don't mind. I give gas money and sometimes more, but most of the time they insist not taking money. I do let them keep eggs that they collect as well. It's rare that I'm out of town with my husband, so besides once or twice a year, he takes care of things while I'm gone. And the most we'll leave for is a week. I paid a pet sitter one time and they did a terrible job. I'd rather have someone I trust over.