That sitter that said it was intrusive sounds like they are trying to hide something. You dodged a bullet with that one. Will they think giving you updates as well is intrusive. You may want to mention on your profile that a video call will be conducted to assure you both are a match and if you can answer any questions for them. Word it so it is also for their benefit. Then you can weed out early that weird sitter who thinks it’s intrusive. I have been booked with no further contact besides emails, after a phone call or a video chat. Personally I read reviews from both sides and I don’t need further contact as a sitter. My relationship for that week will be with the pet. I definitely understand a host feeling more comfortable with a video. This is a stranger in your home. You want to see the person and match the picture they have on the site to the real person. After that checks out, get a feel of them that they are not a nut case, seems like a responsible person who will take good care of your pet and home.
As a sitter, I have withdrawn applications after speaking/meeting, and find that a regular phone call might be just as elucidating as a video one–in case video is a dealbreaker for a sitter or host.
Example 1–finding out from a HO that their cats are not vaccinated (had to drag this out from him, and only b/c I asked based on a previous sitter’s comment) and that one “may not be fixed, we don’t know.” NOTE–this sit had multiple 5-star reviews.
Example 2–a video call with a bunny HO. Wooee was she intense.
Example 3–phone call with a host with good reviews…from when she did NOT have a roommate. Mind you–she only revealed the “roommate” about 20 minutes into the call, and then tried to BULLY me into taking the sit!
I will say, please do not set up a video call with me when you intend to “interview” all the ‘candidates’"–especially if I’m on the road, this is actually poor consideration of my time and effort.
We always ask sitters for a video call, but after we already agreed they are the right sitters for us (and hopefully the other way around too :-)). So it’s definitely not some kind of application interview. It’s simply the best way to discuss all kind of practical things and answer all kind of questions. And to get a first impression of each other. Very useful, regarding the remote location and basic life we live. Of course the result can be that one party withdraws, which has happened once when the sitters realized rural Thailand is also inhabited by bugs, lizards, snakes and other fascinating wildlife and did not feel comfortable to stay between these for a few weeks. Especially for longer sits I can’t think of any objection against video calls. It’s different when you want too use them to select a sitter. I that case I can imagine sitters won’t feel okay with that.
5 actual THS sitter Reviews or were some of these references?
I always offer a WhatsApp video call in my applications, but I always refer to it as a chat and never an interview. As much as anything else I want the hosts to feel entirely comfortable that I would be a good fit for them. It seems to work.
As a sitter I also like video calls, for many of the reasons already stated – gives both sides a better picture of each other. I actually prefer that to a disembodied voice on the phone; you can see the body language. (Even though I know I look crap on video 
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(taking advantage of the little “edit” time… I really, really need to quit for tonight; I’m tired enough that I read “bunny HO” as some kind of colloquial or trendy thing I didn’t know about, like is she a furry or something 
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Video calls are not intrusive, it’s perfectly reasonable to do one before letting a stranger into your home! If sitters refuse to do one, perhaps THS isn’t suitable for them. I do video calls for most of the sits I’ve done and it’s the best way to connect with people short of meeting in person. Good luck finding a great sitter.
@ABGM I have to be very careful what I write, but I also wondered what a ‘bunny HO’ was…
HO who has rabbits.
@Katie Is it common to abbreviate it like this: bunny HO, horse HO, dog HO, etc.? This was the first time I’d come across the expression. My creative mind is already running wild with it… But if it’s perfectly normal, I’ll remember to put on my ‘this-is-completely-normal’ hat next time.
I do not appreciate this bullying and pile on.
Please remove the tag immediately and do not address me again.
I used to use “HO” as short for “Homeowner,” until I started noticing how calling someone a “ho” sometimes came across in the context of what I was writing — often amusing, but occasionally offensive! 
I’ve since started using “Hosts” exclusively, as I find it better fit for purpose. Still hoping THS decides to officially adopt the terminology at some point. 
A bit of a contradiction here.
People who help each other usually communicate with each other.
If asking for a video call is intrusive, what would they call getting into someone’s home just because?
I know some people don’t like video calls but at least they should offer alternative options.
I used Hosts for a while - I like it better, it conveys the exchange of the arrangement, and I think it helps decenter the idea that the people posting sits are automatically wealthy folks swanning around the world for fun. Lots of people on THS don’t own their homes. Got pushback on the forum (though not as much as for PP - pet parent), so defaulted to HO. Can’t win for losing!
A “host” can also be referring to an organism that is supporting a parasites. So, that wouldn’t shed a nice light on sitters.
@MerryPuppins Yes!!! I find the term HO also less friendly compared to ‘host’ and is more accurate because not every host is a home owner. I think I will use this in the future!
Thanks for your thoughtful response!
I never really thought of host as having a negative connotation, as it’s such a common term in the hospitality industry.
It also made me wonder: what would be a better alternative? Homeowner doesn’t work because not everyone looking for a pet sitter owns their home. Many people rent.
So what would be a simple, widely recognised term that includes everyone?
Or perhaps host is actually the right word after all. House sitting could be seen as a form of hospitality too. It simply works both ways.
Curious to hear your thoughts.
Actually, I was joking. HO, host, pet owner, PO,… all work for me.
@Cat-ophile 
Oh, those text without a smiley
Happened to me also very recently 