I think your sit looks amazing and I suspect you’ll have little trouble getting applicants soon.
Here’s how you can find available sitters to invite them (this is at least the fifth time I’ve had to explain this on the forum, which is a pretty good sign that THS needs to revisit the “find a sitter” interface - it is not at all intuitive)
- Click on “Find a Pet Sitter”
- In “Location”, select “United Kingdom”. It is possible, but unlikely, that you can find sitters in other countries legally authorized to sit in the UK, so simplify it for yourself and narrow your search down to those legally able to do it.
- Now look across the screen and click on “Dates”. Select 15 July through 6 August. This will at least narrow down the search to those who are not already booked through THS on those dates (the calendar isn’t perfect but it’s what we
have)
- Now click on “My Pets” and choose “Cats”
- I recommend you also click “Experience” and select “Member Reviews”; this will help narrow down the pool.
6: ****Now comes the important part! Using the method above, I still find 10,000 sitters. Which is insane. So scroll down to the bottom of the page! THIS is where you can narrow things down to a specific region or area. Think like a sitter. You want places that are close enough that travel is inexpensive and not a hassle, but far enough away that your location is an adventure. By looking for cities about a 4-hour train ride of your location, I come up with Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, and Lincoln. (And you know your country better than I do so you might want to pick different places. Like, where I live I know lots of people from “Maintown” would be willing to come here because the highways are pleasant, but those from “Secondary Town” would not come because the roads are curvy, bumpy, and scary even though it appears closer)
So knock those cities out one by one! By narrowing down the criteria to Manchester, I now have 376 sitters available. A quick glance lets me judge who might be good to invite - those with multiple good reviews, those who seem outdoorsy (given your location), etc.
You can send this form letter to the ones that look good to you and see what happens. You’ll likely get more success if you customize the letter a bit to the person’s interest, but only you know how much time you have. Inviting them just means you’re starting a conversation. You still have to meet with them and then if it works out, then confirm the sit, then they need to confirm. So there’s almost no risk inviting them.
Hi there,
Are you looking for a peaceful countryside escape? Just a scenic train ride away lies our charming home in the beautiful village of Tideswell, nestled in the heart of the Peak District.
We’re looking for a caring, reliable sitter to look after our sweet and easygoing cat during our time away. In return, you’ll enjoy cozy accommodation, stunning walks right from the doorstep, and the company of a feline friend who’ll make you feel right at home.
*If you’re interested in a relaxing change of pace and love the idea of a rural retreat with minimal responsibilities, please take a look and apply. *
We’d love to hear from you!
Warm wishes,
if you don’t get any applications!