# I'm a Pet Parent who cancelled for emergency reasons - I need help regarding the sitter **URL:** \ **Category:** Owner Questions, Advice & Chat\ **Created:** [1 October 2026 10:44 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294 "2026-10-01T10:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Nadia111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dbc845/32.png) [@Nadia111](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Nadia111)\ **Post date:** [2 October 2026 12:47 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/21 "2026-10-02T12:47:53Z")
I am very happy to hear this. I will say one more thing before they close this thread: this is a very long sit, and the red flags that the community told you about are still **very** relevant, even though she was nice and all went well over dinner. I would strongly suggest to have a back up plan (a friend, a relative, etc.) who could come help or take over should anything happen to her in the next 6 months. As some experienced regular on this forum told you, we allll got a sit cancelled at some stage, and we all sucked it up, wishing the host well, and a speedy recovery, even though some of us (probably most of us), did not have friends and family to help us out, so were left hanging, in a foreign country. Her reaction was disproportionate on 2 ends: she did not need to get help financially as she had a social net in place AND could have simply told you to get well quick, and move on, because of that net. She was nice because she realised you didn’t cancel the 6 months, just post poned it, therefore did not “ruin” her plans for the next 6 months. So my advice is simply to protect yourself, with a friend or two to assist in case of emergency! Enjoy Brazil! 🤗 ---
**Author:** ![Andee](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/andee/32/14645_2.png) [@Andee](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Andee)\ **Post date:** [2 October 2026 17:06 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/22 "2026-10-02T17:06:30Z")
Hi Everyone, I have done a bunch of international “sits” ironically given the reality that you are kept incredibly busy caring for animals. It’s ironic because the term “house sitting” contradicts the reality of being highly engaged walking, feeding, and cleaning up after the pets and in my case shampooing a dog who was covered in fleas. On another sit (no time to sit) cleaning up after a dog who urinated and defected in the house! In this situation the sitter committed her time, care and energy caring for someones pets if the sitter is forced to cancel airline ticket or any accommodation the homeowner should compensate and cover at least 5o% of her out of pocket expenses. Or she can try to accommodate the sitter in her house. This happened to me in Portugal when HO had to delay her trip. Since I had flown from Canada to Europe she offered for me to stay at her house. I feel it’s the homeowners responsibility to have a back up plan in case of emergency and graciously to offer her a place to stay in her house and treat her like a guest. Or compromise by offering to cover 75% of her out of pocket expenses. This is something that needs to be treated sensibly and sensitively. My best sits have been with homeowners who have shown me kindness in offering to pick me up at a train station and offering to purchase groceries. On this occasion because (UK) it was out season the mother of home owner offered to take me to the store to purchase my groceries and afterwards took me out to lunch. She also made herself available to drive me as it was out season so no public transport. ---
**Author:** ![Newpetlover](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/newpetlover/32/36857_2.png) [@Newpetlover](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Newpetlover)\ **Post date:** [2 October 2026 20:55 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/23 "2026-10-02T20:55:12Z")
> [@Andee](#): > > the homeowner should compensate and cover at least 5o% of her out of pocket expenses > [@Andee](#): > > Or compromise by offering to cover 75% of her out of pocket expenses I thought you would end up asking for 100%. > [@Andee](#): > > I feel it’s the homeowners responsibility to have a back up plan in case of emergency In my opinion, both homeowners and sitters need a back up plan and both should assess the risks they can afford to take. ---
**Author:** ![Cathie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Cathie](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Cathie)\ **Post date:** [2 October 2026 23:38 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/24 "2026-10-02T23:38:09Z")
She may have reacted badly due to the shock of the situation. None of us are at our best during these times. Sounds like the sitter realised this and was much more reasonable. Fingers crossed it all goes well for both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_J](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@Matt\_J](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Matt_J)\ **Post date:** [3 October 2026 04:09 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/25 "2026-10-03T04:09:09Z")
> [@Nadia111](#): > > Her reaction was disproportionate on 2 ends: she did not need to get help financially as she had a social net in place AND could have simply told you to get well quick, and move on, because of that net. > > She was nice because she realised you didn’t cancel the 6 months, just post poned it, therefore did not “ruin” her plans for the next 6 months. This is very good advice. The way the sitter acted was unprofessional, selfish, and may indicate other issues. 6 months is a long time and things can happen, keep in mind you may be dealing with a somewhat difficult individual and tread lightly. ---
**Author:** ![radarmt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@radarmt](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/radarmt)\ **Post date:** [3 October 2026 10:59 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/26 "2026-10-03T10:59:42Z")
Wow thanks to everyone for the valuable advice. I am grateful that you shared your wisdom and experience with me. I offered at dinner to help her out and she said she was fine and had family and friends to fill the gap. I hope she follows through and this is a successful experience for both of us. Thanks again. Michael ---
**Author:** ![Newpetlover](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.trustedhousesitters.com/newpetlover/32/36857_2.png) [@Newpetlover](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/u/Newpetlover)\ **Post date:** [3 October 2026 11:24 UTC](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294/27 "2026-10-03T11:24:06Z")
Get well soon and enjoy your time in Brazil. I really loved my time there. I hope the sit goes well. [Previous page](https://forum.trustedhousesitters.com/t/im-a-pet-parent-who-cancelled-for-emergency-reasons-i-need-help-regarding-the-sitter/80294.md?page=1)