Hi everyone,
For those interested in reading more about vet fees and the T&C, you might like to read this topic started by @Silversitters back in 2023.
It’s fine to keep discussing it here, but thought you might be interested in seeing the conversation that members have had previously.
Jenny 
Oddly, I’ve had to use a vet twice on sits, only 14 sits in. In one case the dog ended up having cancer; the other dog had inhaled spear-grass up its nose during a walk (horrible stuff — Sitters, beware!)
In both cases, the pet owner had a CC on file with the vet & pre-approved the visit, calling to make the appt themselves. All pre-discussed at the beginning of the sit and documented in the welcome guide — as makes sense.
I’ve been a pet sitter for more than 25 years, I AM pet-centric otherwise I wouldn’t BE a pet sitter. I have never had to pay for vet care for a single pet during those years, not one out of the hundreds I’ve sat for. Your own inexperience doesn’t lend any valid insight with regard to this issue. There is nothing for you to say here about it, most experienced sitters will have in place, with the homeowner, a veterinary care plan in the event one is needed, and that includes payment options. Any respectable homeowner wouldn’t DREAM of leaving their sitter in that position, and out of the HUNDREDS of people I’ve sat for that has been the case. End of.
I find it very odd in general, but even more so amongst a group of people who choose to put themselves in the position of being responsible for animals, that so many people seem to be adamant that they will never put their hand in the wallet, even temporarily, to heal or save an animal that they are looking after.
I only read a few comments but they’ve all said the same thing, that not having a plan in place with the homeowner, should a vet visit come into play, isn’t wise. Veterinary bills can crush a person’s savings, some sitters won’t have that kind of limit on their credit card, and what if the sitter and the homeowner have two different home countries, how will the sitter BE repaid? I don’t use Paypal and won’t use Paypal, that would be the only way for most.
Then perhaps there’s no need for you (or countless others) to get so upset over the rule that requires sitters to pay upfront for vet bills, since that’s an extremely unlikely scenario. Think of it as a “failsafe” for the good of our pets.
I’ll share your thoughts with Membership Services, @anon27729151, and see what they advise - I’ll pop back if I hear anything
And what if that bill runs into the THOUSANDS, which vet bills can easily do? Sitters are responsible for the well-being and care of pets, they are not financially responsible for the pets under their care and respectable homeowners recognise that and will have a viable plan in place with their veterinarian. I have not had one yet, out of the HUNDREDS I’ve sat for, who hasn’t had a plan in place, so they didn’t have to place that burden onto their sitter.
I don’t think you need to keep going on about it, to be honest, if you are an actual HO using THS you will have a viable plan in place for your sitters that doesn’t include them paying the vet bill for your beloved pets and that would be that, no further conversation about it required.
You’re adamant that with your years of experience it can’t possibly happen so what does it matter. Why get upset at a term that is essentially meaningless since it’s just not a possibility with you at the helm.
Thanks for the link, @Jenny.
As usual, @Silversitters gets to the point of the matter in the most direct way. I simply don’t understand why THS wouldn’t have determined this to be a HO requirement, vs a Sitter responsibility, in the ToS.
Obviously there are few of us, Sitters or HOs alike, who would leave a pet in distress if we had any means to alleviate the issue. But from a policy perspective, the above is the only thing that really makes sense.
They have:
5.2.2. ensure you have adequate provisions in place for veterinary care of your pet (such as pet insurance); and you hereby authorise the Sitter to obtain veterinary care for your pet(s) during a Sit if you cannot be reached;
5.2.3. remain responsible at all times for any veterinary treatment that your pet(s) may require, including all costs and expenses incurred by the Sitter in relation to the same; and you will reimburse the Sitter for any such costs within 14 days of completion of a Sit;
I can’t get into the THS main site. All I get is the waiting wheel. And it’s been like that all day. I’ve deleted and reloaded but still the same. The App is working ok.
Is this because I’ve been negative about the recently announced changes?
Lol definitely not!
Do the usual fixes: clear browser cache, use different browswer, reboot..
Done it all. Still the same.
You said the app works fine. Try loading the THS website from your phone browser.
I don’t want it in my mobile I want it on my lap top. I know, I’m fussy but that’s the way I am. If I’m going to have to pay over £200 for a membership I expect everything to work.
No, that’s a Catch-22 that still leaves the Sitter on the hook if the HO doesn’t reimburse, or do so in a timely fashion. Is THS going to guarantee repayment or somehow force the HO to comply? No — the best they will do is toss the HO off the site…maybe. It also does not solve the other issues brought up…Sitter may not have the requisite funds, etc.
The obvious & logical solution is to make the upfront payment of vet services rest solely with the HO. Why anyone would be against that is a mystery to me. The Sitter is not a lender, nor are they a financial reserve; they do not own the pets, can’t & shouldn’t be having to make decisions about whether to spend thousands to extend the life of a sick or injured pet, or pay to put a pet down. We do what we must in times of need, but to codify this as a Sitter’s responsibility in a ToS for a 3rd party service does not make sense. And no reasonable pet owner would think the proposed solution is the wrong one: put the up-front financial onus directly and inarguably on the pet owner, where it belongs.
I was suggesting it as a troubleshooting step just to see if it loads for you in that way.
No, no, it’s unlikely it’s a result of your activity here. Clear your browser’s cache, restart your computer, and try logging in again. Also, don’t attach your profile here with your actual THS account.