New to TrustedHousesitters. Do you typically have in-person contact with the host - meet w/them when you arrive, or is contact with the host typically all done remotely - phone cons, emails, video calls?
It depends, so for ourselves, when it comes to “seeing” them :
Usually: We see the hosts before they leave for approx an hour or so. (Dogs mainly)
Sometimes: We’ll either find hidden keys under plant pots, in keysafe boxes, or collect the keys from neighbours. (Cats mainly)
Very occasionally: We’ll stay the night before the HO’s leave (home owners), especially if they have an early morning flight (Both cats and dogs)
Very occasionally: We’ll pop in beforehand to collect the keys if we are in the area, plus we get to meet the pets at the same time. That way, we can then arrive after the HO’s have left.
For ourselves re contact:
Usually we swap from THS messaging service to whatsapp as the dates get closer, and for the whole duration of the sit that’s the way we send them photo’s and updates.
Video Chat before a sit is confirmed: Very occasionally we’ll video chat beforehand, but we know-know the areas we sit in really well, and we love all pets, so we don’t video chat unless the HO’s request it (but some other sitters on here always insist on a video chat beforehand, so that they know more about the place/pets etc).
Telephone: Rarely happens, 2 times in 40+ sits, and only when video chatting beforehand wasn’t able to happen.
Email: About 4 times in 40+ sits, and that’s mainly for the HO to send us a better in-depth Welcome Guide (that’s where they write all their details specific to their pets/place), rather than sticking to THS’s version which is a little too limiting for some places/pets.
Hope that helps
10 Likes
Thank you, HappyDeb! That’s very helpful.
2 Likes
Hi @TrustworthyCare. Welcome to THS!
There really isn’t a single “typical” approach — every host and every situation works a little differently. Some people like to meet in person, others are completely comfortable arranging everything remotely. And sometimes an in-person meet just isn’t practical if you’re in different cities or countries.
What we’ve found works beautifully is setting up a quick WhatsApp video chat at a time that suits everyone. It’s an easy, friendly way for all of us — two-legged and four-legged — to meet and make sure it feels like the right fit.
3 Likes
@TrustworthyCare As sitters, we prefer to see everything before the homeowners depart on their trip.
This can be either stopping by the day before to pick up keys (and then return to begin the sit after HOs departure), or showing up an hour or two before they leave. We’ve also stayed overnight due to the HO’s early departure the next morning.
As homeowners, we ask sitters to arrive the night before so we can get them settled before our VERY early departure the next morning. (Is there ever a flight that doesn’t leave at 6 a.m.? LOL!) If we fly out later in the day, sitters may arrive that morning, so long as we have a solid hour with them for orientation before we depart.
You’ll find that sitters and HOs are all over the place on what they do, in this regard.
4 Likes
We would much rather have in person time with the sitter to show them around, go through the tasks and responsibilities, and even give them a tour of the area and places to walk the dogs.
We offer for them to stay the night before, we’ve got the extra space for it. Second best option is they arrive early on the day we’re leaving.
It wouldn’t be a dealbreaker if they couldn’t be there when we left but I wouldn’t feel very comfortable. Our pets, house and property are a bit of responsibility, and we’d rather have the opportunity to go through all of it, and also leave knowing everything is all set.
3 Likes
In 27 sits I’d had 24 hand over with HO and no physical handover. I’ve never physically met some HO’s including a regular fairly local sit I’ve done as the HO are usually airport bound at silly o clock in the morning.
I only sit for cats so I guess it may be different for sitters of other pets/animals.
Best to ask what sort of handover the HO wants when you do the pre sit chat.
1 Like
Just completed my 48th sit on the site, and in all bar one cases I met the owners prior to their departure, and quite often months prior to the sit. Easy for me as I am in Scotland, as are most of my sits, and I plan well in advance, so plenty time to meet when I am in the area.
However, my most recent sit I did not meet the owner at all. Entry via a key box. Whilst this worked well, and the owner was ultra organised, fully complete printed Welcome Guide, and contactable throughout, it would not be my preferred option, normally,
Luckily I knew the geographical area, and everything worked out well. We had a lengthy video call before I accepted the sit. 1.5 hours. a record for me.
The dogs were of a breed that I was not afraid to enter house alone.
I prefer to arrive the evening before, or even the morning of departure, so the dogs see me interact with pet parents and know they can trust me.
4 Likes
I have only done 5 sits, but in every one stayed with the owners the night before. Did it feel a bit weird initially? Yes. Were we looking for that particularly? No, just the way it worked out, but I think especially with dogs it’s good if you are introduced to them and they get used to you before the owners leave.
5 Likes
Hi Trustworthy. The majpority of the sits that I have done I have been invited and accepted to stay the night before. This is usually great as you get to meet the owners and perts and share a lovely evening meal together. If dogs they will also normally show you a couple of walks that they do. A few, not many I have only arrived an hour or two before owners depart. And even rarer is not seeig the owners, and key being left in keysafe or hidden somewhere. Every one is different.
2 Likes
Thank you, everyone! I appreciate all the great feedback you’ve given. Sounds like there are many variations - from no contact, to dinner and a night with the hosts.
1 Like
I have sent you a private message too.