I don’t accept sits without having at least one video call with the pet owner well & seeing their home & pet(s) live. All of questions are prepared in advance, too, so I don’t forget to ask the less obvious ones about his/her expectations when it comes to their home cleanliness.
If I was offered Tasmania I might have considered it too. Also a flight to somewhere exotic for a month is way more appealing than a sit for just 5 days somewhere over 400 miles away next month. I am doing a sit next year in Sussex, which appeals to me, as I can join it on to a London theatre weekend, and it is far enough away to let me plan properly.
So it’s not just me feeling that way. Interesting.
@RedLassie I had to laugh at you describing Tasmania as exotic. Would be more like Scotland than you realise. We visited Scotland last year and coming again later in this year and it sure is a beautiful country.
One of the loveliest wee countries going. Obviously Scotland is exotic, but I am biased.
@WeRPAWsome you’ve absolutely hit the nail on the head!
@HouseSittersGuide also not free for sitters in that we pay for transport to/from the sit and are expected to use our own car and petrol to take dogs out.
She didn’t expect. She just ‘asked’ - you can say ‘no, thank you’ without the attitude. I’ve been invited to sits that didn’t suit me at all. I just ‘decline’ it takes zero energy from my life.
You sounds like great sitters!
possibly not appealing to yourself but that is exactly the type of thing that would catch our eye. We love horses and have lots of experience.
I think at some point you need to start counting your blessings and not all the negatives. You are aware that if you drive to a doctor you also have to pay for fuel and a car as well. or to the grocery store.
Maybe you just haven’t learnt the sheer value of House sitting. I’m right now in a house, overlooking the sea and hills of Portugal for 6 months, rent free. I had to drive here, over 6000km… from Greece, I didn’t count the fuel or the car, or tires. I look at it from the point of view as… I’m so lucky and grateful for the experience.
If everything becomes an issue, then why do it in the first place?
@HouseSittersGuide oh I have learned the value of it, I’ve been housesitting full time for 5 years now. Hence being aware of the changes and increased expectations of pet owners who have become less grateful and expect more.
That may be true, you also changed in the past 5 years, maybe you just became more allergic to people’s bull. Because of that your experience has completely changed.
I recall when I started 3 years ago, I could not believe someone would let me stay in their homes (incredible homes) to look after their cats, Now I have gotten to the point where I realize the value I bring and that has completely changed my standing with home owners. With a profile that has so many reviews I now am the person of authority in the exchange and with that I sometimes become nit picky about little things that would have not bothered me at the start.
We’ve had two sitters to date. The first one was a disastrous experience. The second one was better. Both were technically homeless couch surfers simply looking for a free place to stay and do their laundry, cooking and have hot water for a shower. We know our dog better than anyone and presently he has minimal appetite and we’re having to hand feed him. Both sitters said he chowed down on his breakfast and dinner. We know that’s not true. When we came home this last time we literally can see how concave his body had become. (he’s a slender, short haired breed so it’s easy to see any changes). The second one at least kept the house looking the same pristine condition we left it in.
After an initial “hello” the our dog both sitters completely ignored him. When he walked over to the second sitter to be petted, she said “what do you want, go lie down?” in a hard tone of voice. That made my stomach roll. (I do wish we could have cameras on when we’re away.)
To your point Maggie when we’re on a sit we are a guest in someone’s home. We need to treat it with care and consideration. Leave the home in the condition we find it in upon arrival.
I’m currently on a sit for two sweet dogs. I stay around the house most of the day with them. Take them for walks, pet them on and off throughout the day, make them feel loved and as special as they are. The home is tidy and I’ve already vacuumed once to keep it that way.
In a WhatsApp exchange with the host I mentioned that I was being interviewed on a particular afternoon during the site via zoom. When she learned that the topic was about mediumship she freaked out and told me I had to do the interview elsewhere, their home is God’s home, etc.. (I went to the local library and used a conference room. sent them video of it to prove I keep my word) She said I should have noted something relative to that on my profile so they could make an informed decision. In the interview they said they had been praying for a sitter for this trip and I was the answer to those prayers. The funny thing is that I’m a morally aware individual who loves most animals and it is my joy to watch their dogs, feed the birds, water their outdoor plants, dust and vacuum, wash the dishes, etc..
She never did say what she thought I was going to do in the interview. It was a simple Q&A event.
I understand people have fears brought on by their beliefs. I do wish they wouldn’t project them on me.
So as both a host and sitter my husband and I will be acutely aware of asking even more questions during our interviews.
I agree 100% but be prepared for backlash from sitters opposed to any form of education or training. Our four footed friends are not the only barking dogs out there.
To reaffirm, you are correct. With proper education and training, sitters and HOs will both have a better experience. It starts with a proper video interview before the sit. As far as TH is concerned, it needs to focus on communicating to HOs and sitters that this is a reciprocal activity.
I think that education or training are the wrong words for what is at it’s core and promoted as a matching service. Perhaps what’s needed is better and more effective help for new members, hosts with their listings and sitters with their profiles. I’ve seen some wonderful and quite comprehensive posts on this topic and it’s a terrible shame and to the detriment of THS that they don’t reach out to these members and invite their comments and thoughts directly. They are missing a trick that would make a better experience for members, increase satisfaction and boost membership numbers.
I also think education and training are the wrong words. Most of us are fully-functioning adults with (different) life experience and don’t require either.
Help, advice and guidance with a healthy dose of self common sense should do the trick. And maybe THS could point more new members in the direction of the forum.
By the way, can we please stop using the word “interview” This (not a “pet parent”) host does not “interview”. I offer to hold a video chat with someone who is potentially interested in looking after my pets and my home, to get to know them better and see whether we would be a good match. I am most definitely not “interviewing” them
Did you get enough quality applicants to choose from, or was it a case of limited choices? I ask, because if I hosted, I would hold out for the right sitter or use a fallback plan or rethink my travel. Of course, each host and sitter must decide for themselves (and for their pets, in the host’s case).
To me, some people should just never be sitting anyone’s pets, nor their homes.
Tangentially, in the case of your beliefs vs. the host’s, it can get messy. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t share my beliefs, my politics and such. I say that, because conflicts can easily arise over such and, for sitting purposes, I don’t see the benefits or relevance of sharing such. Of course, that’s your choice, as it is for everyone individually.
Um, that’s basically an interview. I see nothing wrong with the word, but whatever you want to call it, you are interviewing people to see who is right for taking care of your pet and home. I don’t find the word offensive by any means.
I think the word ‘interview’ CAN suggest a power imbalance which is why, in my view, it’s important that hosts realise that they too are being ‘interviewed’ by applicants. It’s a two way process and just as important for sitters to find out if this is the right sit for them as it is for hosts to find out if this is the right sitter for their pets and home.