I just wanted to let you know that the team confirmed that this isn’t anything new, and that the only change is the reference to the Duo Sitter feature, and the clause does state “or”.
Just for clarity, this is the previous wording:
“5.3.10. not allow any other person(s) to participate in the sit unless they have been approved in writing by the Pet Parent;”
This is the new wording:
”5.3.10. not allow any other person(s) to participate in the Sit unless they have been approved in writing by the Pet Parent or the person is a Co-Sitter who has been registered to attend Sits with the Sitter under the Duo Sitter feature of the platform;”
Thanks @Jenny for following this up. One thing to remember is that some of “the team” have only been employed post pandemic when many changes started to occur. This means they may be unaware of how things were before then.
And it would be beyond ridiculous to have to separately ask for specific written permission for my sons to sit with me after they have been identified and described at length in our application, in our profile, and in our exchange of messages!
For example, I have named and described boys in a recent application. They are also on my profile. The a host’s response to my application states “You all sound like a really good fit for [pup or kitty]”. The host clearly understands who is coming on the sit. They would think I was very odd or maybe even being a bit rude if they offered me the sit and I had to reply to ask if they understood that I sat with my sons and did they give permission for them to accompany me on the sit!
I think another issue is that many of “the team” and perhaps even some of the forum team have never done a housesit or hosted a sitter and so don’t really understand the full ins and outs of how the process actually works. Their interpretation of the terms and the process can be inconsistent and on several occasions recently has been shown to be incorrect. THS used to emphasize the fact that all their staff were encouraged to use THS themselves. Is that still the case?
I thought it would be best to ask the question directly to member services to het an official answer to the question…
Here is the reply …
“ This means that your co-sitter is agreed upon (not an unknown third party) by the pet parent if they are not a verified sitter on your profile.
Verified co-sitters do not need to discuss the co-sitter prior to the sit, as it is an official part of their profile.
This is because we do not allow unknown third parties on sits:
Sitter third-party policy
A sitter must not allow any third parties to attend the sit or enter a pet parent’s property without their consent prior to arranging the sit. If they are happy for a sitter to arrange for a friend or family to visit them for any part of their sit, then that is absolutely fine provided the pet parent gives their consent for the sitter to make those arrangements.
Sitters must remember that they are staying in a pet parent’s home and be respectful to not allow unauthorised third parties be present on the sit unless they says it is okay to do so.
With a verified co-sitter, this would not be a third-party consent from the pet parent. As you are not verifying your co-sitter, you will just need to ask for the pet parents’ permission.
Any co-sitter on a sit is the responsibility of the primary account holder. The primary account holder’s coverage is included with a co-sitter, verified or not. “
As clear as mud @Silversitters!! I wonder if the person who wrote it has really read it properly and understands it!! Let’s just carry on as normal but thanks for trying to get it clarified by those who are meant to know.
Thanks for the clarification. That is new. I had been sitting fine for two years with my spouse coming on occassion and not listed as a cositter. I always mentinoed if he was coming on the application and added outside links for the homeowner to varify him. .I’ve now been declined twice without explanation after adding him with the “&” as he usually comes for at least part of the sit. I will now go back to being a “solo” sitter. It won’t change my mentioning him in my profile or on the application. It won’t change my offering extra links. It will mean that homeowners won’t get some “extra’ information making it look like I’m doing something shady.
but thanks for trying to get it clarified by those who are meant to know.