I’m new to this and only done sort, local sits; now looking at longer international sits. I’m wondering how other sitters handle time limitations of responsibilities for the pets. I see a number of postings for sits where the time involved seems well beyond what a person can do and still live a normal live. Something like, 3 dogs need 2 hours of walking each every day, but can’t walk together so need to be taken individually or you can’t be away from the house more than 5 hours at a time, etc. Do most sitters spend most the time at the home and just go for for short errands, or is there something I’m just not understanding?
2 Likes
Much less of a problem on cat sits.
1 Like
I manage this by not applying for such time-consuming sits!
17 Likes
Thanks for the reply. That’s what I was thinking. Most cats sits I’ve looked at are basically making sure they are fed at the right time and their box is clean, unless there are meds or special conditions involved. This one has no special conditions and says that can’t be alone for more than 6 hours at a time.
Some owners post unreasonable requirements. The best way to respond to these is - not at all! Especially if you’re new, make sure to choose easy sits to get you started, like with one animal or perhaps two cats.
7 Likes
That is why one needs to look for the new sits. The ones with the low-application label often have this kind of disadvantages.
Dogs that cannot be left alone (because of separation anxiety, or bladder problems etc) may still be good sits. When the sit is in an attractive city, where the sights are almost around the corner, when the dog is well-behaved in sidewalk cafés and restaurants, when recall is good, etc.
But one would not like that in boring agricultural countryside.
By not applying! I’ve had sits on several occasions with 2 dogs that had to be walked separately. Not ideal but kept me fit!
3 Likes
As other said: don’t apply. I saw an interesting sit a while ago with 2 dogs - except: they had to be walked 4 times a day at least X amount of time, individually. That’s 8 walks a day… sorry, but I wouldn’t have a life other than walking dogs if I were to do such a sit. So no, I just pass on those
2 Likes
Unless the not being left more than 6 hours is explained, I’d have a chat with the owner. It could be confusion based on prompts from THS while writing the listing. Even with meds with a cat, it is usual a twice daily thing. Some meds have to be exactly timed. Other meds have more leeway. The listing is never going to be as detailed ast the actual instructions, so if a sit sounds good, I’d apply and if the pet parent is interested in your application, you can ask questions and then decide if it’s a good fit.
Surely you apply for sits you have discussed the responsibilities and are happy to commit to? That’s what I’ve done since being on THS and yes sometimes things happen but mostly I have plenty of time especially only cat sitting to care for the pets, do my hours of remote work and have time to explore my location.
1 Like
@DBarnes Whilst I do believe that there is a sit for everyone, not every sit is suitable for every sitter.
Some sitters ( digital nomads ) work from home and do back to back sits throughout the year, using housesitting to provide their accommodation. So they are at home most of the time and not planning to be away from the home more than 5 hours a day. So for them being at home all day with an anxious dog is not a problem and is welcome company.
Others sit as couples or families with teenagers so can walk two energetic dogs separately and still have plenty of time for sightseeing.
Others love hiking with a dog for company and enjoy taking a dog out walking with them all day.
Some sitters want to experience the buzz of staying in the heart of a city, close to attractions and public transport. Whilst others seek the peace and tranquillity of a rural location. Some want only a cat to look after; others want the experience of looking after livestock, horses or other animals that they’ve not cared for before.
Apply only for sits that suit your circumstances and dreams.
12 Likes
We work and do homeschool year round so we are at the property for most of the day. We sightsee after my husband gets off work and on the weekends. We did have a couple sits with long walks and dogs that needed to be walked separately and that’s where the family comes in handy.
4 Likes
Yes, we are all looking for different things. I work from home so I don’t usually spend whole says outside the home. Not looking to go sightseeing too much, so it’s fine for mw to be at home more than not. I wouldn’t want a sit witn a pet that can’t be left at all though. That’s just too restricting.
1 Like
I don’t apply for those. I will do dog-sits for dogs who can be left for 5 hours and don’t need a lot of walks. If I am traveling to a new place and want to have a lot of time to myself I will apply for cats only. I see some listings that are farmstays that require a whole bunch of farm chores in the morning, and I just think, “Not for me!” and scroll on by. I’ve seen ones that are animal rescues with a LOT of cats and dogs. That’s another “nope” for me. It’s important to know what your ideal sit is, what is not ideal but fine if you really need to find something, and what is a no under any circumstances. It’s different for everyone. Respect your own needs and preferences.
3 Likes
Some sitters do spend most of their day at home. I work so when I’m sitting I’m home all day Mon-Fri. Some sitters are 2 people so they could manage walking dogs separately.
In short though if you don’t like what’s required don’t apply. A lot of owners expect too much but if they get applicants and sitters they will continue with those expectations and there is no reason why you should feel obliged to apply.
Set your boundaries and stick to them. If you have a limit on number of dogs, cats etc then just skip those listings. Resist the temptation to apply for somethign that breaches them as it almost never works out.
I no longer do sits with dogs for a number of reasons. It excludes up to 75% of listings but my sits are much better for it. I do not do more than 2 cats unless they are outdoor cats or do not use a litter tray. I do not do free-ranging rabbits. There are more but you get the idea. Set your requirements and apply accordingly.
We quickly learned that it is best to mix it up. So we make sure we have a mixture of cats (easy) or smaller dogs that could potential go in our car or are happy to come to cafes with us, in between the odd sit with larger dogs, longer walks, or dogs that pull on the lead.
We find that way works best for ourselves, so in the beginning don’t commit too far ahead, so that you can adapt a way that works best for you yourself.
3 Likes
I manage them by not applying!
5 Likes
@cawosey
Why not dogs? Just curious
I telecommute and spend more time with pets than most sitters.
Even when I head out, I often take my sit dogs sightseeing or dining out, if their health and personalities allow. Like I’ve taken dogs on a hop on, hop off tour bus in Glasgow and on a river cruise in Stratford-upon-Avon.
I also take extra days and pay for hotels, piggybacking on sits, so I can sightsee without pet responsibilities. Like I did sits in the U.K. and before or after went to Dublin and Paris. And I spent a week at a hotel in Edinburgh before doing a sit in Glasgow, where I also spent hotel days before and after.
On my most recent sit, my elderly sit dog required medications that limited my time away, but I didn’t pick the location to sightsee — I’d lived in the area before and missed it. I ended up house hunting, which required only short windows, because I have lots of real estate experience and know the area well. I ended up needing to see only four homes before ending up with one that’s now under contract.
For a sit later this year in another state, I explained to the hosts that I’d spend much of my time at home with their deaf and elderly dog, because I used to live in their neighborhood and only want to have lunch and dinners to catch up with friends, not sightsee.
Personally, I love dogs and cats and enjoy sitting them both, sometimes together. I just pick ones I think I can manage. Like I’m not a hiker or otherwise especially active, so I don’t apply for sits with high-energy dogs.
Our main priority is looking after the pet, but if a listing is clearly restrictive i.e. 6 walks a day, 4 feeds a day for example, then we simply scroll past and look elsewhere