Got an update on my 3 pets the morning after I arrived at my new location - saying they’d been fed plus a few photos. That was Sat morning, it’s now Mon morning and no news on my pets. Hard for me to relax on my trip, particularly as I’d asked her to send me daily updates before I left. She’s an inexperienced sitter with only one previous sit - def only going to go for experienced sitters after this experience feel like she’s just not invested in my animals at all. I don’t have any cameras on at home so no idea how she’s getting on. The lack of cameras (as TH does not allow cameras), at least in my bedroom concerns me as I have already had housesitters steal items from my house on past sits.
To be blunt I’m surprised you chose a newish sitter with only a few reviews if you have already had problems with past sitters. Maybe going forward you need more assurance that would come with a very experienced sitter.
Welcome to the forum @Mishka
Text the sitter and ask for an update . You can do this in a friendly way and not assume the worst .
“Hi hope you are enjoying your stay . I am missing xx hope they are behaving for you .Please send me some photos . I really like a daily update to put my mind at rest that all is well. Thank you ”
Have had issues with experienced and less experienced sitters on TH & Rover - I chose her because when she applied for the house sit she paid a lot of attn to all the details on my advert, very few do - but she was very different once she had secured the sit and was at mine.
Hi - I did already, sent her this a few hours ago and still nothing even though she rises early I like your text even better so will bear something like that in mind for next time, thank you
Morning, just checking in as not had an update on the fur kids since Sat morning - how’s it going with all the fur kids? Hope all ok!
She’s new and there’s a bit of a learning curve. She may have just forgotten or not realized how important the updates are. You could just send a message along the lines of ‘How are things going so far? I would love to get daily photos as we discussed.’
99% of sitters would never steal from hosts. The same 99% of sitters would be horrified at the thought of a bedroom camera. I mean, what are you even thinking suggesting it?! If you’re choosing duff sitters then it’s to do with the selection process. If you start off suspicious then it’s not a great start for either of you. She’s new & probably thinks daily updates are a little much. Just roll with it and follow @temba & @silversitters sage advice. How long is the sit? #chillyourboots
The fact that you want cameras in a bedroom where people sleep and get undressed is extremely creepy. Also she sent you a picture on Saturday and skipped only one day on Sunday. This is only Monday morning so she has the whole day to send you one. Getting so upset about this is alarming. All you had to do was to send her a text on Sunday that said, haven’t received a pic and update today, please send one. If it’s been several days I can understand but it’s been only one day. You may also say, please send an update before noon each day. Then you don’t have to worry when will I get it as it worries you. By one start texting. No response, call. She will soon get on the program.
Hi @Mishka and welcome to the forum.
There are three very different points raised in your post:
1- the sitter is not following the agreement. I understand your concern and IMHO it has nothing to do with experience, at least not much, people should stick to their word regardless of the situation. I hope you get an answer soon, followed by daily updates as agreed.
2- You have had items stolen by sitters in the past, it seems more than once, which is really unlucky because, as @Cuttlefish says, 99% of sitters don’t ever steal. Chances are that you have already had more than your share and this will never happen again.
3- You’re frustrated because you can’t have cameras in your bedroom. If your bedroom is off limits to the sitters, you can just lock it. If it isn’t, how can anyone even think of having a camera there? Using inside cameras or assuming the worst of people won’t help you to have a relaxed trip.
Again, I hope the sitter has sent a lovely update and you can enjoy your holiday.
Done - got a reply finally so can relax a bit now
Hi - the bedroom camera is in my own bedroom, not the sitter’s as I’ve had sitters go through my bedroom stuff in the past. It’s off anyway for TH sit. My dog sleeps in there so the door is open - it’s her safe space. I agree, it would be super creepy if I had cameras in the sitter’s bedroom - who even does that anyway?!
I had asked for daily updates before I left - so was expecting them daily, esp as she’s a new sitter and they are usually more eager to do the job right, at least in my experience. Didn’t want to pester her, but after 2 days of no contact (Sat morning to Monday) I did text her and finally got a response - so can relax now.
Hi - thanks for your words, I’m less frustrated about the bedroom camera that’s off, and more concerned about the lack of daily updates on my 3 pets, but more relaxed now she’s messaged after 2 days. My bedroom is my dog’s sleeping spot and safe space, she’s a nervous rescue, which is why it’s left open while I’m away.
Thank you for clarifying the bedroom camera.
Yes, the sitter should be sending you a daily update if that is what you discussed with her.
When I am caring for someone’s pets, I always keep a time zone difference in mind. I don’t want to text the owners in the middle of the night, for example, if they are 9 hours ahead. I am in California/Oregon, and the owners are often in Europe.
Especially during the first few days of the sit, owners might leave their phone ringer “on” while they sleep, just in case there is an issue at home.
Anyway, usually this translates to a morning message, and I might send a photo from the day before, depending on my activities. Sitters who tend to be forgetful could even set an alarm on their phone, so that they send an update at the same time each day.
@Mishka, welcome to THS Forum. There appears two unrelated topics in your OP. Communications and fear of theft.
Re communications, pet parent expectations vary enormously. From daily to emergency only. There is no normal. The best pathway is upfront open transparency so that both pet parent and housesitter have then same understanding. If this topic - or any other - is important to you then we recommend that, for future reference, you review your listing and welcome guide and ensure expectations clearly stated. It is certainly possible that an inexperienced housesitter may have been overwhelmed with facts during handover instructions in their second ever housesit and perhaps not appreciated that this topic was relatively important to you. This does not seeming excuse lack of response. If concerned then reach out to support@trustedhousesitters.com. To our knowledge, perhaps incorrectly, THS sets default expectations for 72 hours for response.
Re fear of theft, if this is a concern then consider a paid housesitter rather than THS. Internal cameras and recording devices are expressly forbidden under THS policies. If you have underlying fears that cannot be credibly mitigated then perhaps THS is not for you. Choices. Regardless of platform, we urge you to reflect on expectations of using an internal camera in a bedroom - there may be legal ramifications of this as voyeurism may considered a criminal act in some jurisdictions. If your bedroom is especially important to you then lock the related door and have housesitter use a different bedroom.
It’s worth stating in your Welcome Guide that you’d like daily updates, as well as verbally advising.
…and in your listing in the responsibility section .
We always ask what the host would like and will happily provide a daily update if that’s requested. A few sitters feel a daily update is too much -so if you include this in the listing , those sitters will know not to apply
Best to ring up and ask what you want to know. You are perfectly entitled to know how your pets (and sitter) are getting on.
That’s not good. According to Trusted Housesitters, if you ask for daily photos, the sitter is supposed to send daily photos. I had a sitter from hades experience once where she never sent any pictures of our 19 year old dog, about whom I was the most concerned, because he didn’t do much other than eat, sleep, and go outside to do his business. I’m sure he got no affection from her when she was there.
I’d suggest a teleconference call. You might be able to convey to her that:
1 you miss your fur babies.
2 You worry and thus need assistances.
3 you very much want to give her a very positive review to help her establish a resume.
These are your needs, and your expectations, so you can be very soft or very firm in expressing them to her.
Hopefully getting things on track quickly might allow you to fully enjoy the rest of your trip.
I would have a locked closet if you have valuables. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about nosy sitters.