@Auscal, modesty at its best 
Not sure of your location but there was a thread earlier this week with guestimate data (none published by THS) that suggested that there may be a material disconnect between the number of US pet parents and US housesitters. Seemingly many non-US housesitters are avoiding the US due to legal risks or other reasons. Given this, and steady trickle of THS Forum threads, it seems credibly possible that US pet parents may be struggling to secure volunteer housesitters from a limited pool. Bless.