Does anyone ask if it’s ok for family or friends to visit you during your pet sit? We have asked in the past if it’s ok to invite friends over for lunch. Always the response is yes of course, and sometimes they say, ‘we have a spare bedroom if they wish to stay over’. We have actually asked if a sister/friend can stay over and have always had a yes. Of course we wash all the sheets, leave the house sparkling, flowers on the table, bread, milk and fresh fruit to welcome them home and have received 5* reviews from all houses sits
We’ve asked on our current sit, but we don’t usually, because we prefer to meet up with our family in a cafe/pub/restaurant instead, but it’s down to the individual sit and situation.
Our current sit is different, we’ve just started a 6 week sit with gorgeous cats, but originally it was for a slightly shorter length so it meant we could stay with family too, who live about an hour away. So we asked if family could visit us instead with the duration being extended, which they’ve been lovely about, and they said they could stay overnight too, which is amazing, whether that happens or not. It’s lovely of them.
This question has been asked & answered here on the forum many times. If you’re new here it’s a good idea to search the forum for answers to your question before posting it.
I prefer to meet friends or relatives at a restaurant and not have them at the sit house for so many reasons. One being if I am sitting for indoor cats and friends have never had a cat, they don’t realize what escape artist they can be. May not be overly cautious when going in and out of the house if we are visiting in the backyard. Some cats will dart out with just a small opening in the door.
We have had several hosts offer this , particularly on long sits ( 6-8 weeks )
We have never taken anyone up on the offer of overnight guests ( too much work for us ) but when the sit has had lovely home and friendly sociable dogs that love company , it’s been great to have a couple of friends over for lunch or dinner (sometimes with their own dogs too ) to sit in the garden or walk the dogs together and always with hosts permission beforehand .
It means that the dogs get more company that way . It’s something we have enjoyed but it’s not something we expect during a sit and it wouldn’t work with all pets .
I sometimes ask if my daughter can stay with me. Last summer, she had 3 weeks from when she came from a course on Catalina and she could move into her campus apt (without charges). It worked out perfectly as I was on a sit with 2 large dogs, one a 65 lb puppy, so we could each walk one. This summer, I booked sits in the LA area until mid July, and have asked if she could stay with me, no problems. This way it saves me $3K US in campus apt costs. And I get to hang with her.
We have asked if friends can come over for lunch or dinner, however, I would never ask this during the initial “chat” process. We tread this area very carefully.
As communication with the owners proceeds, and the sit is confirmed, and the Welcome Guide is provided and reviewed, and questions asked and answered, we have a better idea of the “vibe” of the owners.
When we arrive and meet the owners and pets, and we tour the home, we discover whether we would even want to have people over. Some owners spontaneously offer, knowing that we have family and friends in the area. This is the best situation and makes us feel welcomed and trusted.
If I want a friend to accompany me on the sit, or stay overnight I’d ask about this in the application message.
I have once asked after being accepted, but stressed it was OK if the HO wasn’t comfortable. He was more than happy for my friend to join and let her stay in his sons room.
I’ve had friends also drop in for lunch / dinner, after asking the HO’s permission and it’s always been fine.
Generally I think the majority of HO seem quite laidback about it, particularly if you have a portfolio of good reviews. But it’s always going to be case by case.
I understand HO could be wary, but sitters are humans who need social interaction and company like everyone else to be happy, so I’m always grateful when HO are welcoming and warm about visitors
Some hosts have offered to let me invite guests to stay, but I’ve never taken them up on it.
Even for lunches and dinners, I’ve preferred to meet friends at restaurants or at their homes when I sit.
The only exception happened when I sat a dog with extreme separation anxiety during winter, when it wasn’t possible to meet a friend at say an outdoor restaurant. (The U.S. doesn’t usually allow pets while dining at restaurants indoors unless they’re service animals.)
In that case, a friend happened to be traveling through and I asked my hosts to let me invite her over for lunch. They kindly agreed.