@Suecoo66 I’d advise some extensive reading of the posts on this forum (but do please bear in mind that people post about problems on here when they’re looking for advice or support, when the vast majority of sits go very well indeed).
We completely understand that it takes a leap of faith, to invite a stranger into your home to look after your beloved pets in your absence, so the first time will be the most worrying for you. Once you’ve subscribed, check out some of the listings and you’ll find the vast majority of HOs have used THS sitters time and again (which they surely wouldn’t do if they’d encountered any problem issues). Read reviews left for hosts and then click on sitter profiles to check out what sitters have said about their sit experiences and you’ll get a better feel for how things work. Please understand from the start that this is simply a matching site, not an employer/employee scenario, so sitters and hosts will each assess for best fit, and this commences with the listing, which should be welcoming, informative and clear about what you can offer and what your expectations are. Be transparent about any behavioural issues or quirks your pets may have and include photos of all the spaces a sitter would occupy, both inside and out. When pics are limited, we simply will pass on a listing.
Wait for sitters to contact you, since contacting sitters rarely works, and if you state preference for a local sitter this will hugely limit your applicants since most sitters use the system to facilitate travel.
Applications will automatically close when 5 have been received, so read promptly and decline any (with a note of thanks) which clearly don’t work for you, and open up the listing again. Assess which applications most appeal to you then read reviews. As sitters, we always like to arrange a video chat ASAP as this provides an opportunity for both sides to ask questions and to get a better feeling about compatibility. Don’t delay in doing this, since experienced sitters very often apply for more than one sit within specific dates, so may not be available for long. Don’t feel pressured into making a snap decision during the chat, but do please send an invitation to sit or else decline the applicants quickly (again, a note is appreciated) following the chat, since the sit must then be confirmed by the sitter via the THS system (note: a verbal acceptance is not binding). Then, make your welcome guide available to the sitter.
Above all, consider the sitter a guest in your home. Clear some fridge and freezer space (since this is a 2 week sit, please dispose of anything which is past its best), ensure your oven is clean and your home is tidy and uncluttered. Empty and clean your bins and empty the vacuum cleaner. Wardrobe or drawer space is also appreciated, if possible please.
Good communication is key to a successful sit, make your expectations clear in your listing and confirm your welcome guide. If any significant changes occur between confirming the sitter and commencement of the sit, let the sitter know ASAP (as this can be a reason for cancellation by sitter). Let the sitter know how often you’d like updates during the sit (we use WhatsApp for communicating, once a sit is confirmed).
Since your sit isn’t until next April, you’ve got lots of time to find a good sitter. I’d suggest opting for a couple who are both verified and who have very many recent 5 star reviews. If you check out how they’ve reviewed hosts as well as reviews received, you’ll get a good feel about what kind of people they are and what their expectations and preferences are, before you commit to a chat.
Good luck with it!