Hi,
I have been a member going on three years now. I have always had multiple, quick replies when I post my sitter needs. This year I posted 2 needs in March for a June trip and a September trip. The September sitter is confirmed but I have had no applications for the June trip.
I’m wondering if THS has seen a decline this year in sitters from other countries due to the current political climate? In the past my 2 week plus trips were filled by sitters from across the pond.
I’m getting a bit nervous about my June trip and welcome any advice.
Donna
(Title edited by Forum Team for clarity).
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There is a lot on here about people being worried about coming to the USA and lots in the press about border problems. You maybe should look for someone local who might be able to come
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I believe tourism to the US is down a lot now.
Unfortunately I can’t see your sit without restarting my phone. A frequent loading problem on my Android phone that happens ONLY with the THS app. Perhaps someone else can take a look and see if there are other reasons for a low response.
Good luck.
(Edited to in line with the Community Rules)
Hello, I’m a sitter and I usually click on sits when the first photo gets my attention. I would recommend taking a photo that shows off the most attractive part of the house. Maybe it’s the front? I can see one in your listing which looks like you have a nice tree and lawn, and the description mentions a porch which sounds cute! 
But yes sadly it sounds like US travel has slowed down… but don’t get discouraged, maybe just experiment with how to make your listing as attractive as possible 
You’re right that many from outside of USA has cancelled travel plans they might have had and/ or choose to travel elsewhere. I would think that could impact on early applicants as one in for instance Europe have more and longer paid holidays so more people there might be more on the move through the year and would want to plan ahead because of airfare.
You might well get good applicants. I agree on changing the first photo to something more eye-catching as @RR12345 suggests.
All members should have a plan B and I would look into that too at this point.
Don’t give up hope @dland44192. However, I would strongly be looking for sitters from your own country. For some of us who enjoy international travel and sits, there is concern re entering the US as border control issues have been occurring with some folk. As an owner, you wouldn’t want your sitter detained and perhaps refused entry the day of/before your sit starts. Your travel plans would be in chaos too.
Also consider that the number of listings advertised in the US is just under 5000 so there are many owners looking for sitters currently, and I’m sure, they might be facing the same problem as you are.
Have a Plan B in place and consider US applicants only. If any have favourited your listing, it might be worth you approaching them to see if they are available and interested. All the best.
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I would love to pop over and do some US sits, and yours does look enticing but I’m booked for your June dates and not free this year now.
As others have said, there’s been a lot of discussion about the US border control issues with people being arrested for no reason. While I won’t contemplate coming from the UK, the world should be your oyster with US sitters.
Although not the best way, try a Facebook group too. ‘Worldwide Sitters’ or even better ‘Maryland Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters and Pet Owners’ While not the best way I did two sits in Australia via Facebook groups and they both worked out well. Good luck & let us know. I can’t see if you have applicants as I’m ‘busy with another sit’ grrrr
(Edited to comply with the Community Rules )
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Hi,
I have tried multiple times to add my listing to my community forum profile to get any advice. I cannot figure it out and am becoming very frustrated 
This is my 3rd year with THS and have had great success the first two years, filled my needs both years. I have two weeks in June with no responses and I am getting nerous. It was suggested to add my listing to my profile on here but I just can’t figure it out.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Donna
(Has successfully added listing to forum profile)
@dland44192
First thing - change the title - “ help
taking care of house “ conjures up the image of being expected to be a house keeper or excessive cleaning / maintenance jobs.
I have read your listing and the responsibilities are very easy just looking after the cat so take out the part about looking after the home from the title. ( of course sitters will be expected to treat your home respectfully during their stay ).
Replace it with something about your area that is unique or an local event or attractions that will be happening in your area during those dates. That will make me want to pick your sit from all the others .
Hope that helps .
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It might also be that people globally are dealing with inflation and they are having to save for normal necessities. The cost to a petsitter is great when you factor in transportation and sometimes hotel before and or after a sit
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I did a search for “Baltimore County,” and there is not much competition for other sits within your date range. Very little.
I think you will find someone! If you have time, tweak your profile to become more enticing. Perhaps take some fresh photos with good light and different angles and zero clutter.
Read over your listing thoroughly and correct any typos.
You might want to specifically mention how long your kitty can be left alone, and where the kitty sleeps.
@dland44192, there’s a significant amount of relevant commentary on THS Forum. THS Forum moderators seem to have removed anything with a scent of politics. A seemingly significant number of non-US housesitters, including ourselves, appear to have determined not to visit the US at this time. It is possible that THS Forum may not be representative of all THS members. We suspect that there may be diverse motivations that may include political views; US border agent enforcement of housesitting as “employment with in-kind compensation that requires a work visa”; or otherwise. THS Forum moderators have combined relevant commentary on the extensive thread below. Suggest grab a large mug of tea and peruse.
(Challenges with Border Guards - RE the Laws - #776 by buttercup)
Regardless, as @Chrissy noted then it may be wise to seek a US-based housesitter. Or indeed a prudent opportunity to devise a backup Plan B.
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@dland44192 Your sit looks awesome!
The only thing I would say is possibly, at this point, many sitters already have their June plans in place. That is not a reflection on the attractiveness of your sit or your kitties.
Repost your listing so it comes up brand new. That’ll bring it to the top of listings again and anyone who has favorited your sit will see it again.
If you don’t get suitable applicants within a few days, boost it! Then, cross your fingers.
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I had actually been eyeing your sit with eagerness before you posted here on the forum - Ollie looks like such a sweetie - but it overlaps with another sit for which I’m confirmed so I cannot apply for your full dates. Since this is a two week sit, one option to consider would be to post two separate sits, for one week each (mentioning that you would encourage someone to apply for both if they can), which would open up the number of sitters that can apply. If there’s an overlap of even one day with a date for which a sitter is already booked, an interested sitter cannot apply at all. This sometimes drives me nuts because an owner will say in their listing that their dates are flexible, but I cannot contact them to day I’m available for all but one day, because their listing is for a longer time than they actually need.
I will say that I am always nervous about sits in Baltimore - some parts of Baltimore are lovely, and others are quite frightening. You did a great job of explaining the specific neighborhood such that I would be comfortable applying.
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Thanks Silversitters. Will do, as this is a very easy sit with only cleaning up after oneself being the necessity.
Thanks again!
Donna
Thanks for the response KittySitter! I thought about posting two separate sits. I have never had one sitter hand off to another sitter and I was a bit worried about that.
I may rethink that.
Thanks again!
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Thank you for your response. 38 people have saved my listing so I don’t believe my photos have not attracted interest. I did change the one pic with the tree and the pink azalea in front of the porch to be the first photo.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the response! I did move the front yard picture to the first spot as suggested. 38 people have saved my listing so I don’t believe my photos were not attracting interest.
Thanks again!
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You can try contacting people who have favorited you! Just reach out and ask if they have any interest in June 13-27. It’s possible that, like @KittySitter, some of them may be available for part of the sit but not all of it.
Thanks so much for the response. I have started contacting the people that favorited me. I will probably change my dates to two separate weeks as well.
Thanks again!
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