I sure do too. Thank you
Thank you. Thatās good advice
Wow! Iām surprised to hear this. Iāve met ALL of my confirmed sitters beforehand. So much about my property is easier to show someone than have it all on some document (but I do try to be as thorough as possible in my guide). Iād not be comfortable without some overlap (I usually ask that they come a day early to get āorientedā and offer them a private studio on the property for that day/night). I guess Iām different!! (no surprise!.. lol)
It is two different situations you are talking about, I think?
One thing is meeting a sitter pre-confirmation, which would be highly impractical (and expensive) for an International sitter, and I donāt really think you can expect sitters to agree to that. If they can, they would probably be local sitters. Then one might be better off asking friends and family in the neighborhood than joining THS.
Overlap is another matter as I see it. That would be the sitter being invited to stay from the day before the departure of the host. That is pretty common, I believe.
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I think Iāve seen your listing, but I canāt contact you through it as I have another sit @Marianne55
You might want to state in your listing
Exactly how long he can be alone
Whether it is needed that he sleeps in the bed or if it is optional (many sitters donāt want to co-sleep)
Exactly how the reaktiveness take form
Whether your published days are in fact the actual dates (I think you mention in your listing that your dates can be fluid. Personally I would not apply for a sit if it was a chance that I would be stuck after confirmed days because host suddenly wanted to stay longer at Ā«destinationĀ».)
As you say it is accessible via public transport, say what station is closest (bus? Train?) how to get to your home and if applicable whether you could pick up at station. Also mention if and how a sitter could get around to get groceries etc during the sit.
This information would be important to include to attract applications.
Coming a day early is different. Youāre meeting them before the HOs leave, but the sit has started at that point and the sitter is staying there. In this case the person was requested to come DAYS early just for a visit to meet the pet and then come back days later to actually start the sit. Thatās what rarely happens. For me, most of my sits I arrive onsite a day early to get to know the pets and HOs but I donāt go a week early to meet the pets, go away, and then come back. And I certainly wouldnāt go before it was confirmed that I was the sitter.
FWIW, you should make sure to mention that you expect people to be there the day before you leave because many people really donāt like doing that. So you want to make sure itās clear so those who arenāt willing to do that donāt apply.
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Thanks Garfield. Good suggestions
Marianne
Yup, most sitters wouldnāt be willing to do that.
Personally, I wonāt do it even if I live close by. Like my next sit is about 30 minutes away and we just did a video chat. And that will be at a high-end home with a beloved dog. (My own home is being remodeled and I want away from noise and mess.)
If a host needs more than a video chat, to me theyāre not ready for THS trust levels. If some other sitters want to handhold and visit them ahead of a sit, more power to them.
I routinely do in-person handoffs, but thatās it.
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Agree. Anyone who needs to meet their sitter more in advance than they day they arrive to start the sit (which could be a day or two before the HO departs, depending on circumstances) probably isnāt a good fit for THS.
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I love hearing that you have been sitting for 10 years! #goals
Itās so interesting how we can be in the same community yet have such different experiences. Out of 36 sits, there were only 5 where we didnāt meet the owners ahead of time. Over time, weāve met all but one, either when they got back or during a subsequent invitation to sit. We actually prefer to meet the pawrents the day before and we have gratefully made lifelong friendshipsā¦ even relationships that we consider family. Other than loving on pets, itās probably one of my favorite aspects of this experience.
To be clear, I mean meeting them days or weeks before the sit then coming back to do the sit later. I donāt mean not meeting them at all. I have met all HOs but one and usually arrive a day early. But I donāt count that as meeting them before the sit. Because when I arrive, the sit has started and I wonāt leave until the sit is over.
Thanks for the clarity.
Yup, you seemed clear to me. Iāve met nearly all of my hosts as well ā usually arrive a day ahead.
But absolutely no to meeting days or weeks ahead and later returning for a sit. Waste of my time, because there are plenty of hosts who offer greater trust in THS sitting.
Yeah, but at least 2 people seem to have misinterpreted it so I figured best to clarify. 
I adored all my pets too, is delaying the surgery not a better option than giving up on your dog?
It would be a decision Iām sure you will regret later.
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Sounds like some kind of trip tied to surgery, not a typical vacation. But giving away a pet seems outrageous. Seems like there should be alternatives to that.
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Yes Maggie Iām with you- 1 day ahead when possible and certainly they are welcome to spend the night.