Yes, every paid housesitter I’ve had is local. THS is the only place where they can be local or travellers.
Honestly both have their their pros and cons. I still have paid sitters I work with that will work with me on short notice because THS can be a hit or miss.
For me THS is not ‘free’ paid sitting it’s about finding fellow pet-loving travelers. If the only applicants I get are, eh, not up to par (and you would be surprised at what we get) then I would rather go to a paid local. Not the same fun ‘exchange’ experience but I have the piece of mind of knowing my pets are loved.
@pietkuip Don’t 100% agree that paid care is always local. I’ve heard of people traveling to an area for a few months and signing up with a local service to dog walk or for overnight care. Or having an established profile on sites such as Rover and then changing the location based on where they travel to.
Agree @lou28 we’ve been offered dog sits in Switzerland for 300CHF per 24 hours as a paid gig. Definitely not local, it was about experience & trust. We didn’t take it though. #changesthedynamics
Agreed that money can change the dynamic for some folks, usually bullies or such. I think in Amparo’s case, when you already have rapport, that’s less likely.
From a practical POV, once you collect money, that exposes you to red tape over taxes (or consequences if you don’t declare and pay) and might expose you to greater legal risks, because you’re presumably operating a business of sorts and, if things go sideways, some people will expect accountability. It might even get you in trouble with border agents if you sit abroad.
Personally, I have no interest in collecting money for sitting. On my most recent sit, my hosts even left me money and I didn’t take it.
I have never done it for the intention of getting paid and have refused often but most often these people insist, like it’s a gift. I am learning to receive gracefully.
I could totally see that happening with a sitter like you, Amparo! Even when people pay professional sitters, it’s unlikely they’d get someone as good as you.
I think you may have hit on something important, here. In using the word ‘free’ in their marketing strategy, THS are indeed planting the seed that users are getting something for nothing, which can have connotations. It would be much more user-friendly and helpful to all if, instead, they pushed the ethos of mutual exchange.
Agreed. It’s just not for us to take cash right now as we’re still working so it would confuse things in my head on responsibilities . @Amparo knows who she is (as do you) and her way is right for her for sure. #takesallsorts
But there is a cost, in human endeavour. It includes initial appraisal and subjective decision making then considerable input and responsibility, but that cost has to feel balanced with what sitters get out of the exchange (and it’s usually equitable, in our experience).
Whilst it may not be of major significance to those of us posting on here, if you really think about it, use of the term ‘free’ in the advertising blurb - which is surely the essence of what we’re discussing here - is both flippant and incorrect.
I’m so glad you appear to have your priorities all in order. Based on what appears to be well formulated dollar amounts. I do hope you share this with HO when applying for sits so they can see just what a great deal they’re also getting!
Another valuable nugget of insight into how many HOs view potential sitters who are willing to travel to a sit and then offering their time and experience to take care of a HOs house and pets at zero expense to the HO.
for 300CHF per 24 hours as a paid gig. Definitely not local, it was about experience & trust. We didn’t take it though. 
.