# Owner Questions, Advice & Chat **URL:** https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/c/owners-discussion/6.md [Latest](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/tags.md) --- ## [HomeSits for the holidays: Top tips to ensure you score the purrfect companion for your furry pals this festive season](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/homesits-for-the-holidays-top-tips-to-ensure-you-score-the-purrfect-companion-for-your-furry-pals-this-festive-season/77696)
**Author:** [@MerryPuppins](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/MerryPuppins)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [31 July 2026 14:02 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/homesits-for-the-holidays-top-tips-to-ensure-you-score-the-purrfect-companion-for-your-furry-pals-this-festive-season/77696 "2026-07-31T14:02:47Z")
Ah, the sparkling lights…our favorite childhood foods…the parties and the carols, reunions with loved ones, the nostalgia of holidays past & the celebration of things to come. While it may seem way too early to be thi… --- ## [About the Owner Questions, Advice & Chat category](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/about-the-owner-questions-advice-chat-category/19)
**Author:** [@Angela\_L](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Angela_L)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [14 July 2020 15:40 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/about-the-owner-questions-advice-chat-category/19 "2020-07-14T15:40:00Z")
Connect with pet parents and homeowners to ask questions, offer advice, and share stories of your experience. --- ## [Question about whether or not to leave a bad review](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/question-about-whether-or-not-to-leave-a-bad-review/80582)
**Author:** [@DRlauraD](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/DRlauraD)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [19 October 2026 07:38 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/question-about-whether-or-not-to-leave-a-bad-review/80582 "2026-10-19T07:38:25Z")
Hi everyone! I’m new to the forum, but I’ve used TH for a few years and have loved it overall. Recently, I encountered a sitter who wasn’t terrible but also was not good. I had a lot of questions about the quality of car… --- ## [Have long-standing members noticed a change in the type of house sitter?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/have-long-standing-members-noticed-a-change-in-the-type-of-house-sitter/80592)
**Author:** [@A\_Smith](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/A_Smith)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [19 October 2026 05:41 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/have-long-standing-members-noticed-a-change-in-the-type-of-house-sitter/80592 "2026-10-19T05:41:41Z")
We have been using house-sitting organisations for many years and, looking back, we feel the character of applicants has changed quite noticeably. In the earlier years, many of our sitters were older travellers — often … --- ## [Tell me about your Tier](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/tell-me-about-your-tier/72672)
**Author:** [@anon9376833](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/anon9376833)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [18 October 2026 16:11 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/tell-me-about-your-tier/72672 "2026-10-18T16:11:02Z")
I’m putting this in the “owner” section but am interested in hearing from sitters and owners. I have premium combined. Assuming I renew, I’m sticking with premium combined because of now there are no changes to it being … --- ## [Hosts: what made you fall in love with housesitting?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/hosts-what-made-you-fall-in-love-with-housesitting/80498)
**Author:** [@Jenny](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Jenny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [17 October 2026 18:57 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/hosts-what-made-you-fall-in-love-with-housesitting/80498 "2026-10-17T18:57:22Z")
Hello everyone! Here at TrustedHousesitters, we know housesitting is a real win-win for you, your pets and your sitter. For some, the first step can feel huge! After being inspired by some recent discussions, I wan… --- ## [Ask for a litter box changeout before long sit?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/ask-for-a-litter-box-changeout-before-long-sit/80507)
**Author:** [@espressoshot](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/espressoshot)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [16 October 2026 20:48 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/ask-for-a-litter-box-changeout-before-long-sit/80507 "2026-10-16T20:48:32Z")
I’m a sitter and would like to ask owners…should I ask the owners to change out their litter box before a long (month+) sit? They say they’ve NEVER changed it fully out, just scooped out the clumps. They’re only in town … --- ## [Variable Dates](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/variable-dates/80452)
**Author:** [@TimCooper](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/TimCooper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [16 October 2026 14:31 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/variable-dates/80452 "2026-10-16T14:31:33Z")
Hi THS community. Anyone else struggling with offering dates for a sit within a range. We have a motorhome, and can go away at anytime in a range of 6 weeks. Sitters can suggest dates that work for them. Not everyone h… --- ## [Social media share?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/social-media-share/80513)
**Author:** [@bythecoast](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/bythecoast)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [15 October 2026 06:53 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/social-media-share/80513 "2026-10-15T06:53:09Z")
Hi - I’m new to THS and I have a few sits lined up, but no THS reviews yet. I do have several references provided outside of THS. My Instagram account is public and I wondered about sharing it when I apply for a sit. B… --- ## [Leaving Sitters on Hold](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321)
**Author:** [@Whirld-Traveller](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Whirld-Traveller)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [15 October 2026 06:32 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/leaving-sitters-on-hold/80321 "2026-10-15T06:32:31Z")
HOs, just so you know, leaving applications on “forever hold” can work both ways. We had an application in for 18 days. There was initially some back and forth communication but then :cricket::cricket::cricket:. We have… --- ## [Advice for new hosts in securing experienced sitters](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/advice-for-new-hosts-in-securing-experienced-sitters/80291)
**Author:** [@Cuttlefish](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Cuttlefish)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [14 October 2026 21:01 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/advice-for-new-hosts-in-securing-experienced-sitters/80291 "2026-10-14T21:01:40Z")
Some helpful advice to new hosts on platform etiquette. If you receive a great application letter, clear comms to connect, have a nice long video call, they offer to sit, and you then say for your parting shot as the cal… --- ## [Powerful AI search tool of interior photos](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/powerful-ai-search-tool-of-interior-photos/80502)
**Author:** [@pietkuip](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/pietkuip)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [14 October 2026 08:22 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/powerful-ai-search-tool-of-interior-photos/80502 "2026-10-14T08:22:47Z")
I saw this today. I can understand the good uses this has for law enforcement, but the tool feels creepy. Anyway, it is good to be aware that such capabilities exist. --- ## [AI Written Applications from Potential Sitters](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/ai-written-applications-from-potential-sitters/80173)
**Author:** [@RaleighCat](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/RaleighCat)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [12 October 2026 17:44 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/ai-written-applications-from-potential-sitters/80173 "2026-10-12T17:44:57Z")
Hello, pet owners: Have any of you noticed that the applications you are receiving have been written by AI? I understand how much time this saves for people, but it makes it hard to sense any kind of personality from re… --- ## [How much do you prep your home for a sitter?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-much-do-you-prep-your-home-for-a-sitter/80463)
**Author:** [@MelD](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/MelD)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [12 October 2026 00:03 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-much-do-you-prep-your-home-for-a-sitter/80463 "2026-10-12T00:03:17Z")
We’re new here and about to post our 1st request and I’ve been all over the forum and recommendations but would like to know from owners, how much do you prep your house for a sit. For reference, a 10 day sit over Xmas I… --- ## [Is TrustedHousesitters Your Only Platform, or Do You Use Others?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/is-trustedhousesitters-your-only-platform-or-do-you-use-others/80424)
**Author:** [@Myka](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Myka)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [10 October 2026 22:55 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/is-trustedhousesitters-your-only-platform-or-do-you-use-others/80424 "2026-10-10T22:55:26Z")
I’m curious whether other homeowners rely exclusively on THS or if you’ve found it beneficial to use additional house-sitting platforms. THS has been my only platform, & I’ve always appreciated the background checks, re… --- ## [How to get to profiles?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-to-get-to-profiles/80445)
**Author:** [@Val](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Val)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [9 October 2026 10:08 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-to-get-to-profiles/80445 "2026-10-09T10:08:52Z")
I’ve got applications, but I can’t seem to get to their profiles. I click on everything I can find, nothing happens. Anyone have any idea what I’m doing wrong? I used to just be able to click on their name and their prof… --- ## [How to be fair about a cancellation](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-to-be-fair-about-a-cancellation/80258)
**Author:** [@jacogan1216](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/jacogan1216)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [9 October 2026 00:38 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-to-be-fair-about-a-cancellation/80258 "2026-10-09T00:38:46Z")
Hi – I had to cancel a sit that I had a confirmed sitter for. I cancelled more than two months before the sit, but she’d bought nonrefundable plane tickets. I offered alternate sits or even for us to leave our home for t… --- ## [Reviews verified](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/reviews-verified/80398)
**Author:** [@Silvercat](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Silvercat)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [8 October 2026 19:45 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/reviews-verified/80398 "2026-10-08T19:45:32Z")
Hi If someone has reviews a few on their profile, but they aren’t verified ticked reviews ? does it matter I’ve just accepted a sit --- ## [A question for hosts: Why THS instead of a paid sitter?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/a-question-for-hosts-why-ths-instead-of-a-paid-sitter/80350)
**Author:** [@MyrCar](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/MyrCar)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [8 October 2026 18:38 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/a-question-for-hosts-why-ths-instead-of-a-paid-sitter/80350 "2026-10-08T18:38:17Z")
Hi hosts! I have a question for you! :blush: I’ve been on THS for almost 10 years now and have done 70+ sits, and there’s still something my family and some friends don’t quite understand. They keep asking me: if someo… --- ## [How can a sitter be so different than their reviews?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-can-a-sitter-be-so-different-than-their-reviews/80421)
**Author:** [@lmay92131](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/lmay92131)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [8 October 2026 08:30 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/how-can-a-sitter-be-so-different-than-their-reviews/80421 "2026-10-08T08:30:11Z")
We are just about to leave on our second trip using a sitter to care for our pet. We put out our application several months ago. We got several great applicants, but one with over 50 five-star reviews stood out. We had a… --- ## [My sitter wanted to leave a day early](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/my-sitter-wanted-to-leave-a-day-early/80394)
**Author:** [@Vsdownie](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Vsdownie)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [7 October 2026 19:54 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/my-sitter-wanted-to-leave-a-day-early/80394 "2026-10-07T19:54:53Z")
A few days before the end of a 3 week sit I got a message in the app from my sitter saying “Our plans have changed” we need to leave a day early. We were out of the country and on the road so we were quite distressed by … --- ## [Anyone else notice a drastic decrease in applicants over past 2 years?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/anyone-else-notice-a-drastic-decrease-in-applicants-over-past-2-years/79179)
**Author:** [@TitoandLuna](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/TitoandLuna)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [5 October 2026 19:35 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/anyone-else-notice-a-drastic-decrease-in-applicants-over-past-2-years/79179 "2026-10-05T19:35:43Z")
Just curious - when we joined this platform almost 3 years ago, we’d get 6 responses within 24 hours, and most were great candidates. But this year, we’re struggling to get any responses, and they’re very slow to come, o… --- ## [When a Sit Becomes… Everything But Just Pet Sitting – Advice & Local Sit Recommendations Welcome](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/when-a-sit-becomes-everything-but-just-pet-sitting-advice-local-sit-recommendations-welcome/66215)
**Author:** [@Kiwi](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Kiwi)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [5 October 2026 16:10 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/when-a-sit-becomes-everything-but-just-pet-sitting-advice-local-sit-recommendations-welcome/66215 "2026-10-05T16:10:47Z")
Dear members of THS, I’ve been sitting through TrustedHousesitters for a year now and have had some truly heartwarming experiences—snuggly cats, quirky dogs, and wonderful pet parents with whom I’m still friends. I genu… --- ## [Maintaining Trust: The Importance of Communication](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/maintaining-trust-the-importance-of-communication/63980)
**Author:** [@mocapman](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/mocapman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [5 October 2026 15:53 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/maintaining-trust-the-importance-of-communication/63980 "2026-10-05T15:53:18Z")
Hi everyone, I’m writing to share my first experience using Trusted House Sitters. I believe it highlights critical areas for improvement, both in communication practices and the platform itself. I carefully completed… --- ## [Experiences with giving sitters use of HO car](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/experiences-with-giving-sitters-use-of-ho-car/80064)
**Author:** [@Catservant](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Catservant)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [4 October 2026 07:54 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/experiences-with-giving-sitters-use-of-ho-car/80064 "2026-10-04T07:54:07Z")
I have posted my first 2 week sit for my cat and home, and received quite a few interested sitters who don’t have their own car, and have used the HO car as part of previous sits. My home is walkable to town, but for gr… --- ## [Curious - why THS instead of paid petcare](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/curious-why-ths-instead-of-paid-petcare/59365)
**Author:** [@UKSITTER1](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/UKSITTER1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [3 October 2026 16:07 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/curious-why-ths-instead-of-paid-petcare/59365 "2026-10-03T16:07:52Z")
I’m curious … why do HOs choose to use THS instead of paid sitters if it’s not for financial reasons? If you could easily afford paid sitters, why do you prefer THS? --- ## [I'm a Pet Parent who cancelled for emergency reasons - I need help regarding the sitter](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294)
**Author:** [@radarmt](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/radarmt)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [3 October 2026 11:24 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294 "2026-10-03T11:24:06Z")
I am pet parent. I had a medical emergency and have been in the hospital for 9 days. The doctor told me I had to postpone my international travel fore two weeks. This caused me to cancel and relist my pet sit. The si… --- ## [No Applicants?](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/no-applicants/80256)
**Author:** [@Cornbread](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Cornbread)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [2 October 2026 16:51 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/no-applicants/80256 "2026-10-02T16:51:39Z")
Hello! New here. I posted my listing a couple of weeks ago and not getting any traction. I’m in a rural area and suspect thats not helping any. But would appreciate advice? The animalls are super easy, in good health, re… --- ## [Trouble Printing Welcome Guide](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/trouble-printing-welcome-guide/80259)
**Author:** [@Sculls-sodium-0j](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Sculls-sodium-0j)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [29 September 2026 06:17 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/trouble-printing-welcome-guide/80259 "2026-09-29T06:17:02Z")
Has anyone else had trouble recently printing their welcome guide? I did it just fine in July but now that I’ve made changes & need to print it again, something isn’t right. I emailed the PDF to my office so I could prin… --- ## [Honest Review](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/honest-review/80059)
**Author:** [@catwoman4369](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/catwoman4369)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [28 September 2026 20:29 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/honest-review/80059 "2026-09-28T20:29:22Z")
I’ve dragged my heels at leaving a review for our last sitters; in fact, I’ve left it till the last day. My ‘dilemma’ was that we got along so well the couple (had even met up with them months earlier (their suggestion)… [Next page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/c/owners-discussion/6.md?page=1)