I just finished a review for a recent sit, and noticed this for the first time. Is there a similar element from the Owners’ side?
Thanks Mark. I thought the final summary of the review before clicking ‘post’ was a useful addition.
I had not seen that one yet. Interesting. I wonder what the “maybe” would mean for people…and for the hosts.
And man, I am not a fan of the term “Pet Parent” that they adopted a couple of years ago. First, it’s juvenile and patronizing IMO. I have two children and 2 cats. I gave birth to the humans. Not the felines. Good God there’s a big difference!! Second, some homes are without pets.
Completely agree with you re the terminology.
“Pet Owners” may be a better term IMO. Also, I suggest that the company would be best named, “Trusted Pet & Home Sitters”. It has always puzzled me why the word “Pets” is not included in the name of the company.
I am glad to see there is a text box to elaborate on your choice. Without specific context, the answers are not really helpful. Of course it would seem obvious to include this but you never know.
For example, there is a difference between there being a true problem with a sit–like animal feces scattered throughout the home–and things that may be more a matter of personal preference, such as not liking a cat’s early wake up calls for breakfast.
I think this can definitely be a helpful addition.
@Imhale
The term used to be “Home Owners” which we (members) abbreviated HO for years. Then suddenly it was PP for Pet Parent, which, honestly, made me gag.
Many of us still use HO even if those who live in the home don’t “own” it. I also use “host” bc in many ways they are hosting the sitter even if they are not present.
Some sits are without pets. Not many, but they do exist and we’ve done one like that.
And yes, I agree that THS is a little misleading bc the word pet is missing and that is probably more than 95% of the sits. I like Trusted Pet and House Sitters too. TPHS.
@Mark_B oh, that helps. Interesting and I hope it is used honestly. I like the idea…but….
I have to wonder if the people who tend to be shy of leaving truly honest reviews - which seem like a large number - would be honest here, however.
For example, if it were me I’d more likely answer the question “would YOU accept another sit here” rather than “recommend this sit” because everyone’s standards and criteria are SO different, as we have discussed everywhere on this forum. What is a great sit for ME might not be so for someone else, or what would keep me from returning might not, in the slightest, bother someone else. I can’t measure what others need or want. Perhaps it wasn’t clean enough to MY standards but clearly other sitters had no issue bc they had all 5 star reviews before us. (Am thinking of the most recent sit we did) - were the other sitters just not honest or they just don’t care? I have no idea.
Or maybe a poorly trained pet doesn’t bother some people, they just go with the flow. They don’t care that a dog is begging and whining at the table, or that the cats eat on the kitchen island where food prep happens. Some of us care, some don’t. Most sitters won’t mention these things.
I still say that allowing sitters to opt in to the possibility of being able to contact one another is the only way they will truly be honest with each other. Privately, I would be willing to describe what the issues were for US that might not bother anyone else (and maybe didn’t bother previous sitters - either that or previous sitters simply weren’t willing to be honest either).
So, while I like this idea, I think the sitters afraid to be honest will continue to be afraid with this question, too.
Thanks for the clarity - I thought the response would be posted on the site for not only the other party to see, but everyone looking at that person’s profile. Having it go only to the internal THS team will make people more likely to be honest, I think. Although I agree that there will always be folks who don’t want to be “too mean”. As well as people who will be all too happy to vent over minor things.
Another example of membership fees at work addressing minor problems while more serious ones sit unaddressed…
Only on the app, not the website.
I JUST submitted a review on the website and it DID ask the question!
@Newpetlover It’s now on the website too as I had to complete it yesterday for my last sit.
Thanks!
It must be new.
It will probably be announced in next month’s newsletter