Definitely, shorter sits are being affected by the fees. Even without the fees, a short sit has always a smaller pool of candidates: either localish people or people who are already in the area and need a “filler” sit.
Right now I am doing a weekend sit 20 minute drive from home, just to spend some time with cats.
Consider making it very clear in your listing—we are leaving on X date early in the morning, and we want sitter to arrive the day before and spend the night in our home. Some sitters do not want to do that. An alternative to offer, if you are desperate for applicants, is to pay for sitter to stay in a nearby hotel, and then they can arrive on the day you desire to meet you and the pets, and get the keys, and then arrive in the morning after you leave, to begin sitting.
Thank you! That’s some very useful suggestions 
Here is some verbiage to think about as an example, as we’ve received positive feedback from sitters/applicants as it being very clear. This is in our listing at the end of the ‘About Us’ section;
A NOTE ON THE LISTED SIT DATES: Our listed dates of Friday Sept X - Monday Sept Y 2026 are the dates we prefer Sitters to plan their arrival /departure from our home. These dates are inclusive of a one night overlap on each end to line up with our early departing / late arriving international flights. Sitters are welcome to stay at our home in their comfortable and private room prior to / after our flights, and we’d love to welcome you with a delicious meal and pleasant conversations!
Obviously adjust to your needs but again, we’ve gotten positive feedback that it’s clear and we don’t have sitters applying who don’t want overlap days. Saves time for everyone if your clear up front!
thanks for the input
Dianne
I do think the fees are impacting those on TH. Although not large, they serve as another reason to not make the effort. It seem most appropriate to me to charge the home owner, but not the sitter if any fees are involved.
Brilliant, thanks! I realised we needed to state this somewhere but wasn’t sure if the best place x
Makes sense. There have been a many THS Forum threads about few, if any, applicants to US listings. Suspect not a short-term trend. Perhaps many US housesitters and/or US pet parents are similarly going to try a US-only platform. Good luck.
I have noticed over the past weeks the number of listings that state:
The dog(s) can be left for up to 2 hours
The dog(s) need 2 hours a day walking
As someone has said on another thread that is a lot of walking every day. Also, it used to be normal that owners would say that the dog(s) can be left for 4 hours .
This must be one of the reasons for low applications
I agree and I think giving hosts the options re walking duration and arrival/departure times has made it worse. I just pass by rather than negotiate.
I also notice a difference in tone with regard to responsibilities.