I am VERY new here.
Do I apply for a few sits within same time frame, and then if one accepts me cancel my application with the other?
Ive sent out my first application today. Its for the very end of May. How long should I wait for an acceptance and or rejection before trying for another in same time frame?
Hope the question makes sense.
Thanks
It is really up to you how you decide to approach the process.
I personally don’t apply for multiple sits with similar dates that frequently. In my experience, most hosts are pretty quick to respond to applications, and given all our experience, we don’t get declined all that often. As someone that is new, you may feel inclined to apply to multiple sits at once if you think it will improve your chances.
Also between being pretty selective about the sits we do, usually looking for sits in certain areas for certain dates rather than always being wide open with our schedule, and trying to be strategic in how we fill our calendar as full-timers, it isn’t often that I see multiple sits at once I would want to apply to for a particular time frame.
The one time I may be more inclined to apply for sits with similar dates at once is if I am trying to fill a gap in my schedule that may not be as easy to fill because it is a smaller amount of time, the area I am looking to be in may not have as many sits, and any other factor that may narrow down my options. So in that case, I may put in more than one application as you never know how long someone will take to respond, if you are going to be the person they choose,etc..
Your applications are just an expression of interest and not any firm commitment that you would definitely do the sit if they were to want you. You are welcome to apply to as many as you would like, and simply withdraw from any other open applications if you end up accepting another sit.
Hi @JillK 
Yes - many sitters apply for more than one sit within the same timeframe, especially when they’re new and still building momentum. There’s nothing wrong with withdrawing an application later if another sit is confirmed first. Just do it promptly and courteously so homeowners aren’t left wondering.
A few things that help make the process less stressful:
Applications are not commitments - confirmed sits are.
Some homeowners reply within hours, others take days, and some unfortunately never reply at all.
Popular sits can fill very quickly, while others stay open for weeks.
As a new sitter, it’s usually wise not to “wait too long” on one application before continuing to apply elsewhere.
Personally, if I hadn’t heard anything after a couple of days, I’d keep applying for overlapping dates unless the listing owner had acknowledged my message and indicated they were reviewing applicants.
Also worth knowing: once a listing reaches 5 applications it pauses automatically, so timing matters on THS.
One practical approach is:
Apply for any sits you’d genuinely be happy to accept
Keep track of dates carefully
Withdraw quickly and politely once another sit is confirmed
Don’t feel guilty about doing that - homeowners are usually speaking with multiple sitters too
The biggest mindset shift for new members is realising it’s more like a mutual matching process than a traditional job application
Good luck with your first application… exciting start!
Thank you very much! Great info.
I’m sure I’ll be in here with more questions as I get going with this.
Yes, apply to as many sits that appeal to you. Because you are new, it may take a few applications to get a sit. All host have different criteria and sometimes many applicants.
If a homeowner response positively to your application, set up a voice or video call so you can ask more questions and get to know your host. After that you can decide whether this is a sit you want to do. If you don’t want to do it, send a polite decline and withdraw your application. There are no commitments until you accept the sit.
If you accept a sit, withdraw your application from any other sits you have applied to. If you have had any correspondence with those sits, I’d send a polite note explaining that you have accepted another sit.
Good luck. Hope you find a great sit. The forum is a wealth of information.
Thank you! I’m truly excited about doing this, and can"t wait for my first official sit through TH.
And yes I’m definitely staying focused on the sits that look like the right fit for me AND the host
I appreciate your feedback. 
Yes. Applying for a housesit is like expressing interest. No commitment applies until a sit is confirmed by both parties. So it’s completely acceptable to concurrently apply for multiple sits.
Zero. Apply to multiple sits concurrently. Commitment applies when sit is confirmed. That said, good pet parents typically respond to priority applicants within 24 hours - 48 hours max. So you may seek to stagger applications, depending on their popularity.
Hi @JillK , welcome to the group - you might find this thread from a while ago interesting
It depends on your goal in becoming a sitter:
The best advice has already been given; but as someone who has been doing this many years, also don’t pass on opportunities waiting on homeowners. I have noticed recently a bit of an uptick on sits lingering in “reviewing applications” mode. Do what is best for you and don’t pass up an opportunity that appeals to you waiting too long on someone else.
Also, if you are not picked, it is not necessarily a reflection on you, with a possible 5 applications, there is a 4 in 5 chance that you will not be picked. The person chosen may just have had something in common with the home owner.
Thank you for providing this insight. You mentioned that there are full timers on THS. I would like to know how that works for you and others. Is there a specific forum thread or section where people discusses this approach?
@HouseQueen We have been full-time sitters for six years. As a couple, we often overlap our sits to avoid gaps. I came to start our current sit yesterday (Saturday), my husband is now doing the final days of our previous sit and will join me on Monday.
We have two accounts to make this possible.
If you are a Duo sitter profile (ie. 2 people with one account) you can do overlapping sits per these guidelines here. https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/14681464492957-Can-I-book-sits-with-overlapping-dates
It’s also worth bearing in mind that it’s not simply a case of the host picking the sitter, you should also really think about whether this is a good match for you.
When - or if - the HO makes contact, it’s a good idea to arrange a WhatsApp video chat ASAP, to get the measure of each other. You are NOT applying for a job, so be aware of anything that feels a bit off, and if it doesn’t feel like a balanced situation with good vibes, walk away (there’s always another sit, and often an even nicer one!).
Enjoy!
@HouseQueen You are very welcome. There is no dedicated section of the forum where people discuss full-time sitting specifically, but you will see many threads on here that discuss various aspects. If you have any specific questions, just let me know and happy to share my two cents. Have been doing this a really long time.