I’m new here on THS and haven’t even finished my profile yet!
We’ve booked a flight to Malaysia for July-August and would love to find a sitter for our Labradoodle and cat. However, I’m a bit hesitant to post the listing because our flight has a layover in the Middle East. With the current situation, I’m worried about how this might impact travel—whether through long delays or, worst-case scenario, a full cancellation that forces us to stay home.
I really want to avoid disappointing a sitter with a last-minute cancellation, but since I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan, I still need to ensure our pets are well looked after.
If you try to find a local sitter, it’s easier for them to simply stay at home or find another sit nearby where there’s likely (if it’s England) to be tonnes of summer sits. We’re retired and I’ve got a sit in June not far from me in Brighton, it’s neither here nor there if the HO cancels…. it’d be nice to hang out with a cat for a week but not ‘essential’. If you secure a sitter who is relying on your accommodation it’s a bit different. As always it’s a discussion to be had early on with any potential sitters as to their Plan B. I’m not sure it’d be wise to confirm a sitter travelling a long way to your home unless they had alternative accommodation plans or if your sit was part of a jigsaw route of sits and they were able to book Airbnb or had family/friends nearby. Premium membership for the sitter means if you cancel within 2 weeks of the sit starting the sitter can then claim accommodation costs to rent somewhere local. This isn’t a straightforward process. I think everyone is making contingency plans and there needs to be some leeway/generosity of spirit in all of these arrangements which is why the initial video chats are so important prior to confirmation of a match. Best wishes.
The best way would be to include this information in your listing so that potential sitters are fully aware of the potential for cancellation and can factor this into their plans .
It is a tough one, I’ve committed to a UK sit much later in the year as I hope to be there for our sons wedding. I discussed the fact in my application that I had a really compelling reason to be there but at the moment it’s hard to know. The host was happy enough to take the chance with the knowledge she would have plenty of notice if we had to cancel.
Definitely get a UK sitter for the sit (I think that’s where you’re based) and then it takes the worry out of it all. If it’s a long sit then would probably post it now and see what type of response you get. #bestofluck
As per others, I would probably lean towards a UK sitter who can simply ‘stay home’ if you need to cancel. And refund any prepaid train fares.
OTOH if you are upfront about the situation and an overseas sitter chooses to apply, that’s their choice. (But again I would refund UK travel expenses if I needed to cancel.)
I have a good friend who uses THS in NL and they have no problem getting sitters and they’re not in a tourist hotspot, plus have a springer & multi cats including a Maine Coon. You guys should be fine with UK and European sitters from a travel logistics point of view. #hollandrocks
Really glad that our lovely members have been able to help @JudithB - do you feel like you have more of a plan now? I really hope everything works out for the best.
