I’ve run into some… let’s say unexpected host dynamics around BC (Vancouver area), and I’m curious if others have had similar experiences. Is it a cultural or geographical thing?
First up: a new listing, no reviews. Great initial chat on the app, and we scheduled a WhatsApp call. The host forgot, then called back from her car—without mentioning I was on speaker, with a random audience of hers listening in. The vibe shifted fast: from friendly to full-blown “interview.” She casually mentioned she’d already “interviewed” others who bailed, and someone in the background joked that I should too—“we don’t need more people coming to our island.” Message received. I withdrew mid-call.
It was a Saturday, and sure—people are allowed to unwind and have a drink or more. But the lack of boundaries and basic decency was a bit jarring, especially since the listing showed what looked like a responsible adult host. (I assume there’s a minimum age requirement for listings..)
This isn’t the first time I’ve been surprised by a host pulling random people into the mix. One recently brought a neighbor into a video call. Lovely person, sure—but… why?
Then came the dreamy listing with an older couple and glowing reviews. But there’s a twist: the husband would be staying in the house during parts of the sit. They texted me to guarantee I’m solo—despite my profile clearly stating I travel alone. Not quite what was advertised, and I’m not thrilled about sharing space with a partial stranger, so I’ll likely withdraw from that one too.
Is this just a streak of odd encounters? Or are fuzzy boundaries and casual ambiguity the new normal? Also—do hosts actually read your profile, or do they just reach out when they see a solid 5-star review count? (I’ve had invites where it really seemed like that was the case.)
Would love to hear if anyone else has run into setups like these—or if this is just my BC baptism
Third parties are NOT permitted to stay during a sit - This listing can be report to member services - either by forwarding the listing by e-mail to support@trustedhousesitters.com OR by reporting via live chat in the Help section .
I am hoping that you have experienced just a couple of odd encounters.
Withdraw from the second one fast!!
I do agree that many owners do not read your profile which becomes apparent when they send personal invites.
I am also surprised when, upon arrival, the hosts ask us where we are from and do we do this often, even though we have well over 100 reviews. They are also surprised that we have sat overseas which means that they don’t actually read the reviews either.
I’ve seen listings where familymembers either are staying during the sit or even that some of the tasks include follow-up on said family members. I think they have signed up without knowing what THS is about. That is ofc also a great risk for the sitter in all kinds of aspects during a sit. If you haven’t knowledge of what THS is, you are most likely also ignorant on other terms and practices for a petsit - in addition to the lack of interest in knowing the terms by joining.
Strangely enough it seems some of them get sitters (I’ve also seen here on forum that some would take on sits that are in breach of such rules. Always wonder how those sitters think in regard to also other terms being in breach during a sit and how that could backfire?)
When it comes to speakerphone I think many don’t think about it. In my opinion it should be mentioned, «we are on speaker-phone, and Bill is here» (and Bill should say «hi!» just because it is polite). I would just be thankful that it occured so I could withdraw sooner than later.
This sounds like two examples of sits to be avoided, which you have, thankfully! And two very different examples, so I hardly think it paints a picture of all hosts in the area.
I do think with the focus on expansion, there are a lot more people who sign up in any capacity who don’t really know what THS is supposed to be, and it may become harder to find the right fit. Hopefully you’ll find a great sit in Vancouver soon.
I remember having a FaceTime with one couple where the wife asked me if I had any experiences sitting with dogs. What? I can understand if the sit was for a potbelly pig, but a dog! Not only didn’t they read my profile but also didn’t read my reviews of all my dog sits. I was taken aback and said, didn’t you read my profile and reviews. The husband said they just scanned it and was calling all five people who applied. Then they started asking me other questions that were clearly answered in my profile. They were really starting to irritate me so I told them I didn’t think this is a fit and wished them well and said goodbye.
I have never experienced the things you talk about. Like many other experienced sitters, I thoroughly read the HO’s listing, their reviews of sitters and sitters’ reviews of them. You can usually get a good idea of what they’re like by doing these things. A certain tone will come across in their listing also - friendly or entitled. You should definitely withdraw from the sit, as @Silversitters says, third parties are not allowed to stay in the home while the sitter is sitting.
We sit in the UK & Spain, and we’ve never experienced anything like that at all. All our HO’s have been great, and they’ve read our profile and accompanying message, we can tell straight away from the way they reply.
Maybe it’s a location thing, but perhaps you need to be a little more picky about who you apply to sit for in the first place. To begin with we thought it was all about cute and adorable pets, but after the first few months with THS, it became more about which HO’s we felt more connected to, because we realised every pet is cute to us. So if I were you, I would only apply to sit for those who you feel you already know-know from simply reading their profile, be selective right at the start, because we’ve had amazing hosts.
If I encountered what you described, I’d quickly withdraw.
From two years of sitting, I remember only two video calls that led me to withdraw:
• A Bath, U.K., woman who didn’t have her travel plans nailed down, despite her having listed dates that appeared firm. Toward the end of the call, she asked me to wait on her confirming travel plans. The call was otherwise perfectly polite, but I considered it a waste of time. I wouldn’t have applied if I’d known her dates weren’t firm.
• A Seattle, U.S., couple who said they thought I was great, but they were going to chat with other applicants out of politeness. They also revealed at the end of their call that they had a grown son with a key who’d want to visit their dog during the sit. The call was perfectly polite, but I considered it a waste of time.
Separately, with a Portland, Oregon, U.S., couple, everything seemed kosher till they shared their welcome guide: That revealed that one dog needed letting out overnight and the other was prone to diarrhea. I withdrew right away. The whole thing — from application to withdrawal — took about 48 hours. I considered their delaying revealing dealbreakers that way to be creepy, but our communications were polite the entire time.
I would bet $1000 that the first situation happened with people on Vancouver Island, which is a one and a half hour ferry ride from Vancouver itself (or one of the smaller islands surrounding it). I know exactly what you mean because I live there.
The comment “we don’t need more people on this island” is very typical as many people have been moving here over the last few years (me included) and according to the locals, they are ruining it.
The potential HO should have realized that the call needs to be a more formal proceeding. However, calling while she was driving with her friends in the car is the best thing she could do for you, showing you the type of person she is without wasting more time.
Yes, that’s how we experienced all our THS Sits also.
And nice to hear that you do find it really important that you have a connection with the HO.
We agree with that. If there is a connection, if you are “on the same level”, it is also easier to discuss/ ask about “little problems” you always encounter during the sit.
Yup, what buttercup described is, sadly, very typical behaviour for the island. Landing an appealing sit here will be challenging.
@buttercup I don’t know where specifically you’re looking, but if you really want to sit on the island, you’ll probably have an easier time the further north and west you look: Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni. Good luck!
That seems like a crazy thing to say to someone who’d be coming to sit pets. If they don’t want anyone coming from elsewhere even temporarily, why join THS and be setting up calls with people from off island? And if it’s a friend or such butting into a potential host’s call, they can volunteer to sit the pet(s) then.
I gather that it was indeed the friend butting in who said this. Not only eavesdropping, but sharing their opinion too.
Who knows, maybe the OP gave them an earful afterwards…
I live in B.C. in the Vancouver area and have done a lot of local sits and have never encountered this type of behaviour. All the homeowners have been so responsive and gracious. As others have said though, perhaps this is confined to the “island”. I’ve had some nice invitations from homeowners who live on the island but sits there just don’t appeal to me. Hopefully moving forward, you’ll have some better experiences.
I agree. Most every pet is great, its the owners you need to connect with. I haven’t even had my first sit yet, but I definitely am reading everything thoroughly before I apply.
@Silversitters Exactly! Unfortunately, many don’t seem to take the terms that seriously - they simply don’t consider themselves/hosts as being a third party - even when referring to the terms - they don’t get it. However, it’s never disclosed in the listing - only after there’s an interest. I’ve withdrawn every time it happened
@Itchyfeet Completely agree! I’ve confirmed with better ones now - in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island—lovely people!
But yes, it’s peculiar how some still haven’t figured out that the app is used by travelers, especially international ones. A bit strange, considering it’s such a big part of the whole concept and campaign videos! Takes about two minutes to figure out, really!
Thank you! I found two that are much better. Absolutely, that could definitely have an influence, and while I don’t avoid new listings, I certainly understand why some people do
