I’ve been on TH for six years, and I’ve always had pretty quick replies from homeowners when I apply for sits. I’ve noticed something kind of weird has happened since the start of 2025 - I’ve applied for multiple sits but all the owners are now taking AGES to reply (I mean, days… weeks, or not at all). They aren’t reading their applications for quite a long time and then even when nudged. Why has the response etiquette changed so drastically recently? It makes the application process feel much less pleasant and respectful - I’d rather even quickly get denied so I’m not left hanging. Has anyone else experienced this? It’s totally different from my experience in previous years.
3 Likes
Yes, i have also. Some will not even send a reply to say thank you for your application, even when you can see they have read it. Several days later and you have still heard nothing despite it being 0-1 applications when you have responded. And then there are others who will snap you up immediately. I just assume the owners are not interested, if they do not send any kind of reply within a few days. there are plenty of fantsitic sits out there so just move on to another.
i really do think it is bad manners, not to at least send an immediate thank you for your application.
4 Likes
Yeah, I do find it quite rude, especially when you’ve taken the time to write a long personalized note or the sit would involve booking plane tickets that will increase in price over time. Hard to move on when you actually want/need to be in a specific location for whatever reason and there’s limited sit options available.
1 Like
@Seasidecatsitter You just need to click on the spyglass with this issue to find it has been raised many times!!
5 Likes
I have also noticed a “change” in HO’s attitudes during the past few months, at least in my area (greater Seattle and surrounding communities). It seems that more and more HO are hearing about “free” pet sitting if they join THS. Once they sign up, many do not seem to appreciate that this is a reciprocal relationship that should be based in mutual respect and appreciation. I have always received 5 star reviews, but am starting to decline many repeat requests for sitting due to unreasonable expectations and demands. I am also a HO and ALWAYS treat my THS sitters respectfully and try to make their stay with my dog as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
3 Likes
I think it’s due to general uncertainty about the world, travelling, politics and exchange rates. It doesn’t excuse a poor communication style, but I’m sensing owners might ‘test the waters’ with their listing, buying time to decide if it’s worth committing to a trip in the current climate.
3 Likes
I have been wondering about this lately. I have been applying to sits and the applications go unread for days. I have two applications unread right now. I had one host get back to me with questions. I answered promptly and my reply has been unread for 3 days now.
I am wondeing if the hosts arent getting notified about the messages or if it is just coincidence that i keep applying to unresponsive hosts.
I have only been a member (just sitter) for a few months, but the slowness to respond is really annoying. I recently withdrew my app. from HOs who were slow to respond, they then asked me if I would do the sit, so I agreed (apparently that was a mistake). In turn I asked them when I could come meet the animals, because I am in the same city and it is my preference to meet before-hand. They said a time and date, I agreed, asked for address, and that was almost a week ago. I honestly don’t know if the sit will take place. Obviously won’t if they don’t send an address.
If people don’t care more about who looks after their animals, then the world is indeed going to heck in a hand basket.
If this continues, I will soon be a former member, because I do not need the aggravation.
1 Like
I would say I mostly apply to sits with good communicators, but I also have an application with 4+ monts without an answer. Just keeping it to check what will happen - will say no if offered.
Last confirmed sit, the host responded in hours to schedule videocall and within 24 hours confirmed.
But I only sit for fun and I’m picky. Location and home is important (cozy and tidy - don’t want large/ luxurious) but tone of listing and friendly host that sees sitter perspective is more important. It seems many (not all) sits that go wrong there has been red flags. Overlooking them, because one really needed that sit, or was too understanding and nice can lead to trouble, it seems. I get the impression that a host that sees the sit as a mutual exchange, understands what a sitter would need and like is vital for a good exchange.
1 Like
@Brindle Has the sit been confirmed by both the owner and you on the website so it shows on your Dashboard? If not, you’re not obliged to do the sit.
1 Like
Yes, confirmed on the TH site. I wrote them earlier, asking if they still wanted me to show up at the mentioned time, and both husband and wife have responded, with an address and a confirmation, and yet again saying they would send me the welcome guide info. It has been like pulling the proverbial teeth every step of the way. It will be reflected in their rating for communication, I don’t care how nice they might turn out to be.
2 Likes
A good number of experienced sitters (including me) avoid this by routinely withdrawing our applications within 48 hours if a host doesn’t respond. If many or all sitters did this, hosts would quickly learn to not leave applicants hanging.
Personally, I’ve found that focusing on only prompt hosts actually has been very positive. That’s because they’ve got their act together and tend to share robust welcome guides early and to write reviews quickly, without prompting.
3 Likes
This sounds like a red flag sit.
2 Likes
Yes, @Maggie8K , I’m afraid it does. This would be my 8th or 9th sit, with TH. I’ve been cat-sitting for over 25 years. This is NOT behavior one sees from paying clients.
I DID withdraw my application, and got a message from the HOs that they want me to do the sit, so I stupidly agreed. The wife gave me her phone number last night, so I am going to phone later today and ask why they still have not emailed me their copy of the Welcome Guide. No, it is not in Spam or Trash folder. I should have just stayed withdrawn. There was nothing in other sitters reviews that were red flags.
I’ve never left anyone in the lurch before, but they have been so irresponsible, I shudder to think what else could go wrong.
1 Like
I just looked at their reviews (on the websit, I don’t use the phone app) again, and the 4 reviews are all 5 star. Two specifically mention “Great communication.” Go figure.
Hi Brindle! Hope the sit goes smoothly. If you are sitting locally to me, call if you’d like to meet for tea or coffee.
I think we read a lot in when we don’t know and sometimes homeowners may not understand what is happening. It can be annoying, but I hesitate to ascribe motives.
I know the system sends email reminders to hosts that “It’s time to choose a sitter.”
But maybe those go to junk or are ignored.
For example: A homeowner had up two dates. I applied to the one with the least applications but mentioned an openness to doing both dates. The homeowner got back to me offering me the sit and asking if I wanted the other sit and sending me an invite. I don’t usually accept sits without a video chat but I accept this one – which I’m now wondering about.
So I accepted the later sit, and accepted the invite for the first sit. Then I realized I had NO offsite means to contact the homeowners. The earlier sit still reads as being in review. I don’t know if they know they need to confirm someone even if they invited that person. I have written to them through the THS email and not gotten a reply. Because I have good internet sleuthing skills, I was able to follow breadcrumbs and find information to contact the homeowners off-site, but I don’t want them to feel like I’m a stalker so I’ve been reluctant to do that. (I actually did leave a message on the host’s facebook page and the host has been on that page but hasn’t looke Id at the message.) I’m afraid to text them as that might seem stalkerish. Not sure what to do if they don’t reach out soon!
So I don’t believe they are purposely doing this. But I won’t make the mistake of accepting a sit again without a video chat OR at least an outside contact email or phone number.
If its a sit I need to know about urgently, I usually prompt the HO, otherwise I chalk it up to not meant to be.
We’ve had this happen a few times where it has taken the HO a long time to acknowledge applications. We had one situation where it had been weeks and when I withdrew our application, they wrote back and said to consider them for future sits! Not sure I would apply for a future sit given it took my withdrawing application for them to respond.
2 Likes
I have a few that are taking weeks to respond. I got some other sits for some and had to withdraw. But I have never had anyone take this long. And one starts May 16th. Some are within 24 hours and some a few days. But this is the first time I have experienced weeks. Usually that happens when they haven’t booked flights and they are figuring out when they are actually going on vacation.