I have two cat companions and will be needing cat sitters in the Parksville, B.C. area from time to time.
I’m not sure how any of this works and I’m very anxious about leaving my cats with a stranger.
How do I go about finding someone and how to know if they are trustworthy and will take care of my guys?
Hello and welcome from Courtenay BC, just up the street from you! 
The first step is to familiarize yourself about what makes a good listing, you’ll find plenty of suggestions by using the spyglass here above. You can of course browse other house owners’ listing to see what they write.
Second, after receiving some applications, you can set up a video-call to get to know them better.
I would also browse the forum itself, both the HO and the sitters’ categories to gather as much info as possible.
Welcome to forum @WillowandDude !
First, you become a paying member of THS. You will then get to make a listing. The listing should give an accurate impression of home, pets and responsibilities - and be hospitable and a listing people would find interesting and make them want to go to your location and choose you as a host. Many fellow members here on forum would be happy to help you.
You then can publish dates, and sitters that find your listing appealing can apply. You chose what sitter you would like to offer the sit to - usually after you both having read each others reviews and had a video-call or similar. You chose - but you also need to get chosen by the sitter.
Many sitters here have had many, many sits with 5*-reviews. Some have it as a lifestyle, other work in all fields of society, high or low, and use THS for travel opportunities in work or vacation.
Read the articles for hosts on THS webpage and you’re welcome to read here and to ask fellow members.
Welcome and hope you will enjoy the adventure!
What @Garfield said.
But before you put the money down for a membership make sure to watch a couple of videos about “how it works” before deciding whether it will work for you. Your home needs to be guest friendly and someplace sitters would want to stay. Sitters will be strangers whom you will usually only meet online until the sit starts. You will be unlikely to get the same sitters back repeatedly unless you get very lucky and your schedules align.
When you receive an application from a sitter who you think sounds like a perfect match for you, they won’t feel like strangers to you, you’ll feel like you know them already. Your perfect sitter is the one you are drawn to, it’s a gut feeling, so trust your intuition.
Then you can video chat with them to ensure your gut feeling still feels the same, but if not, you can keep accepting applications until you are happy. 5 applicants is the most you can accept at any one time, so if someone doesn’t suit you, simply reject them, to free up that space within your 5.
Thanks for the responses!
I have a very nice house in Beachcomber, fairly new and very clean and modern. It’s definitely guest-friendly, and the neighbourhood is wonderful.
I will definitely look at some videos.
I really need help with pet sitting. I have not had a holiday in years and right now I cannot even go away for a weekend. I’m very trapped.
While I understand the feeling of a possible stranger in ones home, @HappyDeb is also right. We get to know each other through our profiles, messaging and most will set up a videocall and talk face to face before offering or accepting anything. So at the point of decision hopefully we know each other a bit already. Like we would know a neighbor or a co-worker, perhaps. In addition we have the reviews - with fellow members sharing their experiences with a sitter or host. Another layer to build trust - like a friend would give you some info on a new aquaintance.
Some sits don’t end as expected. Often there would be red flags that are excused or ignored (not always. Life happen in homesitting also). So trust your gut. If it feels «off», don’t go forward with that sit. But most of the times a good process will lead to finding a good match partner. Like in life outside of THS.
I do think some would never grow accustomed to the thought, and a paid sitter/ kennel would be the better option. That is of course fine. But many also find a new world of travel, pets, aquaintances and friends. And most important - good care and companion for the pets. Do think about it and read a little - and you’re welcome to ask questions or use the spyglass up in the corner to search for topics. Maybe read some listings - both hosts, sitters and reviews. I think that would give the best insight in how it works (and be aware that forum is where people tend to vent and raise issues - most sits are great 
)
Hi there and welcome to THS! 
As others have said, take a good look on the webpage, watch some videos and understand how it all works. Here’s a good start:
All sitters are ID verified through the site. It’s a matching platform, and how comfortable you feel with a sitter comes down to whether you feel you’re a good match and how well you and your sitter communicate. I recommend that you don’t join until you have a good understanding of the platform, feel comfortable and confident in your decision to join and seek a sitter with THS.
You’ll need to understand the purpose of THS; it’s a mutually beneficial exchange, where you receive free, trusted pet and home care, and in exchange, sitters gain a free stay in your home and the opportunity for a unique travel experience. Sitters are usually pet loving travellers who take pleasure in caring for your pets while also enjoying the opportunity to discover a new travel destination.
In terms of ‘finding someone,’ sitters will usually find you through their own search of areas that they’d like to pet sit in, and apply for your sit if it appeals to them. You’ll create a listing, and sitters can apply. You can have up to 5 applicants at a time. Your listing will need to be appealing enough that a sitter would like to come and stay in your home, care for your pets and see your area, so make sure your listing has compelling reasons why somebody should sit for you & visit your area. It’s also important to be clear and transparent about what pet care tasks will be involved, so sitters can gauge whether they’re a good match. Here’s a blog that may help to write your listing. You can find many other blogs under the ‘blog’ section on the webpage.
You’ll also need to read up on the THS policies and guidelines to make sure your listing complies with the policies. You can find the policies here:
When a sitter applies for your sit, be sure to reply as soon as possible; the guidelines ask for owners to reply within 72 hours. You can decline a sitter if you think you’re not well matched. If you’re interested in their application, it’s a good idea to have a video call and get to know them. Be sure to discuss when the sitter should arrive and depart, and what time you are leaving and returning. If you reach mutual agreement during or after the call, be sure to confirm them as your sitter through the site. After confirmation, you can create a Welcome Guide for your sitter and share it with them through the platform.
If you’re unsure about your listing, you can also link it to your forum bio and members can view it and give feedback. Here’s how:
How to add a listing or profile link to your FORUM profile
Hope that all helps and best of luck!