Hi,
I have only posted a couple sits well over a year ago. I just posted an upcoming sit for 2026. There are a lot of people saving it, but not applying. Is that normal? Am I expected to initiate an inquiry with them if they look like a good fit?
Or maybe they are saving it because it is still a ways out?
I am checking here incase I am supposed to be reaching out to them.
Thanks
Typically sitters save a sit they like the look of but the dates don’t work. This way they receive a notification of future sits when you post. It’s is possible some of them are saving while they look at the dates and check flights prices, etc, but you are not expected to reach out. Sitters will Apply, which you’ll receive in your inbox, and then you can initiate a conversation asap. In the case you don’t receive any applications or maybe your dates are flexible it is totally okay to reach out to sitters who saved your listing.
What’s “a lot” of sitters?
We’ve got 257 sitters on our “sitters who favorited us”. We aren’t short of applicants when we post dates.
Your mileage may vary.
I’ve saved a few in the latter part of 2026 I like the look of, but I haven’t applied as I’m not sure it would work out yet. So if it’s a long way out it could be people interested but not able to commit just yet. I know I might miss out but I’m hoping synchronicity will look after me 
Nope. Let interested sitters apply for your published dates unless you have prior experience with specific sitters. Reaching out to sitters has a very low success rate.
I do save sits I like the look of but would not likely apply for sits beyond February.
Yes! yes I am looking after you! ( sorry, couldn’t resist! 
)
Good point about ‘what’s a lot’.
Not nearly as many as you have. I was just not sure what it meant and if I was supposed to respond to them. All the feedback here on this thread, has helped me. thank you.
In my experience, reaching out to sitters who favorited our listing and/or applied to a previous sit was a complete waste of time.
I could see a host doing it only if they were desperate and after a or more re-listings they weren’t able to obtain a sitter but that would be a hail Mary.