Even if you’ve confirmed a sitter through the platform, I think it’s really important to have a backup plan just in case. That might mean having a local paid sitter you could call on, or being prepared for one of you to come home early if needed.
Things like illness or accidents can happen unexpectedly, to both hosts and sitters, and sometimes they’re simply out of anyone’s control. It’s always worth thinking about what you would do if something unexpected happened, rather than having to deal with it at the last minute.
Very true! I’m always tempted by last minute deals but really it means less research, less preparation on both sides. Of course it can work out but a bit nail biting.. also booking last minute travel is much more expensive usually, so the sitter who obliges has to factor that in too.
Who isn’t tempted to be a hero?! But you can land on your face!
Hi woodsandwater,
As a sitter I am never offended should a home owner reach out to me. And I do actually accept approx 20% that are offered in this way. In fact this can be a good way, as at the moment, if a sitter should overlap by just one day on another sit they are unable to apply. You could be happy to make other arrangements for one day? For example I was contacted by one home owner for a two week sit but unable to do last two nights. They were happy to have me and had friends take over for final weekend. I then sat for them again the following year. So, it can work by contacting sitters. And I am not somebody who continually looks, so would not always see a sit when first appears. Good Luck.
I have applied for a sit with no intention of taking it.
It was a way to send a message to the Home Owner and make contact about future possibilities. I’m meeting them before the next sitting opportunity. So shes declined my offer but got my phone details and we have a meeting set up now.
It’s ok doing this as her sit in’t till Christmas and she has time to delete me and still get 5 applicants.
Your house looks really awesome. I suggest making the wording a lot more concise because I got confused reading it. Take out all the information the sitter doesn’t need (future pets, plans, etc) and you can save some detailed instructions (how often to scoop the litter box, etc) for when you talk to a sitter.
I’d also suggest putting how close it is to big cities or hiking trails, in case sitters want to go somewhere. It’s in a really great location but sitters might not know that.
Regarding taking down the listing, there’s no harm in keeping it up as a backup in case the person who’s supposed to come check on the cat cancels at the last minute.
I’d be concerned as a sitter about the sentence ‘we plan to get 1-2 dogs some time soon also chickens’ as I’d not want to turn up to a cat sit and find dogs and chickens had been added last minute! This sends the wrong message to cat sitters so I’d delete it completely unless that is your plan…..