Iām not sure that HOs do prefer either single females or couples. I think a great deal depends on how you sell yourself in your profile and in your applications to owners. Have you got lots of good references? Could you do some sits for friends or family to get started? I see my age and maturity with lots of life experience as a great advantage and I emphasise this.
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Hi @Julian1 - Yes, you will probably find it a problem getting your first house sit, but only because we all did when we started. The home hosts usually want to see evidence that you have some experience.
Obviously, as a new member, you will not have that but the good news is that there are also home hosts that struggle to find a sitter for a multitude of reasons
First, get some references to add to your new profile. Preferably from anyone you know that you may have helped before with their pet - if there is no one - then any character reference will do.
Then look out for listed sits that have no or few applications, these are the ones where you will have the best chance to get accepted for your first sit. Especially look out for last-minute sits - these home hosts will urgently need someone plus your review will arrive quickly which is what you want.
Once you have your first review, it gets easier. When you have a handful of reviews then it becomes much easier.
There are many single male sitters so donāt let that put you off joining.
If you are looking for inspiration, take a look at Tomās profile @toml
Good Luck
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Try being mid 30s male and traveling with a dog of your own.
I apply to a lot and get rejected or no response a lot of the time.
I think it can be a slow start and then it will pick up after you get your first few reviews.
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Im just going to emphasize this. If you dont have reviews, please at least get external references added to your profile. Iām a home-owner, Id be reluctant to consider someone with neither unless they were very local and we could meet first.
Just want to again remind Homeowners to PLEASE LIST YOUR PREFERENCES for what kind of sitter(s) you need. I was recently declined for a sit that I admit I thought I would probably end up booking based on how well our virtual meeting went. They reached out and mentioned how much they enjoyed talking with me and how my experience was quite impressive. Then they explained that they wanted a local couple for sits and thatās what they ended up choosing.
And look that is completely fair to have those strong preferences. Looking back at their previous sitters they were ALL couples and most were local too. Itās frustrating though not having that clearly outlined in the listing and would have been helpful to inform me that this wasnāt their ideal fit. I always carefully read the listing and avoid wasting my or the HO time by applying for something that wonāt fit the wants and needs for them.
I think it might be worth exploring a reformatting of HO listing that would include different types of labels for Homeowners to choose that would indicate what kind of people they are looking for. For instance - āWe are open to (familyās, couples and mature individuals, distant sitters)ā. Now that thereās a 5 app limit for sits it makes sense for homeowners to encourage only applicants who fit the criteria to apply.
Hi @nugs
A warm welcome to the forum, and thank you for your contribution.
I wanted to let you know that I have sent your feedback to our product team, as they do appreciate it.
Wishing you great success in your future sits.
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@nugs those hosts were timewasters. They should not have stolen your time with a video call when they already knew they werenāt going to choose you because you were single! Thatās not nice.
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I had no preference, just prefer solo travel. One of the better sitter was a man, clean tidy strong and kind with my dogs. Generally applies just girls or couple
Donāt be discouraged! Our very first sitter was a young man. He was great. We have no preference on male or female or a couple. I just donāt want any children. We pick the person or couple that we feel is best for us and our dog.
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Hi all, I am a single guy based in the UK. I have had plenty of sits. As many accepted than turned down.
Andy C
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Hi Brian,
I sit and Iām also a host. I donāt get many solo male sitters applying. I did wind up choosing a solo guy a few months ago for a short sit. It made sense as I live in a city and the sitter lives a few hours a way and was looking for weekend getaways to my city. After the sit was confirmed, the sitter asked if he could bring a guest. I have no problem with sitters bringing a person not on their profile if they ask in the application and itās discussed, but this felt like I was put on the spot, and there was some deception in not telling me. After showing me the other personās linked in, I said yes. Then during the sit, he asked if his guest could spend the night we were coming home on our couch as her couchsurfer bed fell through and she was taking a bus the next morning from the station not very far from our apartment. I agreed again and it was fine but it this absolutely fit into my concerns about solo male sitters. )
So, just saying, I get some of the reluctance. I think if you could make clear in your application within the first paragraph what your deal is just as youāve done here, it would help. If you are also a petowner or have been in your adult life, this would be enormously helpful. I canāt speak for other hosts, but for me because this isnāt a āprofessionalā site, I like having sitters with adult pet experience as petparents because I believe they will care for my pets as they care for their own.
Maybe something like this: First sentence: Iād love to sit for _______ and ______ . They look like __________ and I think itās a good match becase _____________. Iām an active retiree, but my wife still works, so I enjoy petsitting because _____________ and __________________.
You could add some place specific stuff to give the homeowner an idea why you want to be and how youād spend your time. No reason to tell them youād spend all working hours home with the pet. I expect travelers to want to enjoy my city and see and do stuff, and would welcome someone who wants to do that at a relaxed pace so coming back to feed and check up on the cats even to take an afternoon nap would be ideal.
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Hi @Marion Looks like you may not have noticed the date of Brians OP?
It was March 2022!!! 
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Yup! I didnāt.
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