All at THS: a way to make this an even more useful platform would be to allow sitters to tell the THS site where we want to be in what time period, and allow local ‘houses’ and pet-parents to get notified. For example, if I see an available sitter for my area in a weekend in July, I might use that option to take a trip I have been putting off. I then have a caretaker who already wants to come to this area.
I cannot find a sit on the exact days where I want to be somewhere, but you know never know if some pet-family would like to take a trip at that time and would jump at the option.
That would not work. Not many use the calendar. The calendar I heard blocks off accepted THS sits. Many are on more than one platform. Many do this only part time. It’s best to just post your dates that you need a sitter. You can book a few months in advance which I think helps as many book months ahead. You may want to contact those that saved your listing if you know when you will be traveling next. An example would be to contact those that favored you that you like and say, we haven’t posted yet but we are going away some time in October . Do you have any available dates that month? You may want to coordinate dates then post and send private invite to them.
@SeniorSitter1 this is a good idea to contact sitters who favourite you. I favourite a lot in the hopes the dates may align. But I potentially have a lot of flexibility so if contacted early enough I could build that into my trip. I don’t travel just for a sit, I am usually non sit travelling and add in sits if they work out.
It would be great if THS introduced a way it was possible for sitters to do this .
I agree with @SeniorSitter1 suggestion as a work around for now -
Sitters can’t reach out to hosts . Hosts can contact sitters who favourited their sit. Once communication is open sitters can reply to you with dates that they are available.
@emily8freeman, interesting idea but well beyond current THS functionality.
We include such details in our profile, as we often have know the area/country/continent that we’d relish housesit opportunities in future months where we are not booked. But that is clearly not searchable in any way.
I agree with Emily, it would be great if Sitters could state their availability for a suitable pet sit in a specific area.
I live in Cornwall, my father in his 90s lives in a care home on the Wirral. I try to visit him every 3-4 months. I have managed to secure a pet sit nearby in the past but not always. I am mindful of my responsibilities to the Home Owner & prioritising the care & wellbeing of their pet. I am also reliant on public transport because it’s a bit too far for me to drive from Cornwall.
I am sure that there are other Sitters in a similar situation. And, to be able to log Sitter availability might provide a win, win situation for both Home Owner & Sitter
that we’d relish housesit opportunities in future months where we are not booked. But that is clearly not searchable in any way.