I just signed up as a pet owner (not a sitter) in the last week. I’ve got a weekend trip planned in mid-January so I’m trying to find a sitter for my 2 cats. I’ve invited at least 2 dozen sitters and they’ve all declined. I do look at their availability to make sure they’re open but I’m getting a lot of people saying they’re not available. What am I missing?! Is it me?! I know I don’t live anywhere exotic but I just don’t get it. At first I was only seeing sitters close to me which seemed weird but I invited a number of them (all declined). Then decided to start searching neighboring states, still no luck. How long should I expect it to take to find a sitter? How many people should I expect to invite before finding someone? Any suggestions on how to find someone? This seems harder than it should be.
Take a look at my listing.
Edited to add listing to Forum profile
Hi @Sculls-sodium-0j 
& welcome. Invites rarely work, the calendar only applies to THS and not someone’s “real life” availability or location so is fairly hopeless! You need to attract applicants instead. Have taken a look at your listing and there are some things you can do to improve its appeal. How about a lovely cat pic or home pic as the cover image and not a bed? A decent bathroom pic with shower and bath not just a loo. Less pics of the cats to scroll through. A pic of the outside space. You mention the sitter sleeping on a day bed not the main bed so you need to show that in your listing. Your tone is very formal and a bit off putting, how about “would prefer non smokers” as an example. Responsibilities can be skimmed to bullet points and sound less like a job list (some of this can go in the welcome guide later). Do you have a limit to how many hours a sitter can be out & about? What is there to do in your area? Sitters will apply if they can see an attraction to your location, not just come for free pet care - this is a mutual exchange. Don’t mention the pool as it’s a non starter and saying “unavailable for Q4 2024” sounds like you’re hiring your house out. Think of a sitter like a guest, welcome them into your life and home a bit more. You have no reviews so they’re taking a chance on you too. Make it more relaxed, more welcoming & you may be lucky! #allinthecommsasever
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My $0.02:
Invitations basically never work and the calendars are worthless and almost no sitters use them. Most people also tend to sit away from home and the locations on profiles can be regularly changed depending on where they’re sit hunting. So, the focus should be on getting your listing tweaked so it’s covering all of the basis.
To that end, my suggestions:
- The title space that we see as sitters is short. Optimize it to grab attention. We’ll see whether your home is charming or not via your pics. And I don’t know what the end said because it cut off.
- I would remove the screened in porch pic as it’s just empty and useless so looks a bit abandoned vs welcoming. I think your other pics are pretty good.
- Are the cats required to sleep with the sitters and will they make a fuss if they can’t? You make it sound like it’s optional but some sitters don’t like sleeping with the pets, so may help to clarify.
- This isn’t a business plan, I’d suggest using months, not quarters when specifying time frames.
- You should talk about what there is to do in your area. You need to sell your sit and I have no idea where your home is located, what there is to do, why I would want to go there, what I can do once I’m there, how close shopping/restaurants/entertainment options are, etc. This is all stuff sitters want to know. You say the town is charming - why? Especially with such a short sit, you should sell it as an interesting weekend away.
- I would mention when you’re leaving and returning on your dates and when you’d like the sitter to arrive/leave. A 2 night sit is going to be rough unless you’re in a really attractive destination.
- You should provide the details about their routine in the listing. You say it’s simple but “attention to detail” makes it sound complicated so I’d be clear as it may be scaring people away. You should especially provide details if there is a fixed and strict schedule the sitter must follow so they can make sure it’ll work for them.
I’ll be honest, the weekend sit is probably going to be difficult unless you’re in a great location. It’s a lot of hassle for 2 nights away. You might get a new sitters who is looking to build up reviews or someone who is just passing through looking to fill a gap, but most people won’t be interested in something that short unless it’s a really attractive sit in some way. So I’d definitely be making a backup plan for the January sit. The May dates will probably be easier.
Good luck!
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Great advice given, and I think your listing has a lot of positives. Great that you offer the possibility to choose bedroom. Clarify as mentioned whether sleeping with the cats is a requirement/ if they would otherwise make a fuzz or similar. This will help you get the right applications.
For meds it can be good to at least mention if it is to be administered by sitter or hidden in food, how is pet with getting meds (what is required of sitter regarding experience - whether the pet must be motivated, put in mouth or willingly eat it can open for different sitters).
Many sitters are travelling and/ or be happy to come to a pet-sit specifically, so to widen pool of sitters it is good to mention how to get to your home (car required? Public transport? Distance airport/ station - if applicable - can you pick up at station?). Is the area Where you live walkable - how far to groceries, other facilities like shops, cafes…
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Thanks all for the good suggestions. I’m just a little confused on how the profile vs welcome guide works. A lot of this stuff was put in my welcome guide but I guess that’s not visible until after a sit is confirmed? But the pics of the boys were in my welcome guide so I’m not sure how I have “too many pics” of them if that’s the section they were added to. Someone suggested I add pics of my yard but someone else said not to include the patio because it was bare. I only moved in a couple of months ago and i haven’t done anything with the yard yet so should I just not include it at all? And as for putting my listing dates in the profile, does that mean I should change the profile often to include current dates? I thought there was a difference between what should be in my listing vs just the dates I need a sit. This feels like I’m basically managing my own Airbnb listing. I’m not saying that to be snarky but it’s a lot of effort!
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Yes, a welcome guide isn’t available until the sit is confirmed but sitters will want the info before confirming and some before applying.
Show pics of usable spaces. If the back patio is empty and has no furniture, it’s not usable so no need to show it, IMO. Ditto the yard.
For longer sits it’ll be easier, but if you want people for your weekend sit, I think you have to make it as attractive as possible. Arriving on day a sit that runs from 10 am Friday until 6 pm Sunday is more attractive for a weekend away than one that runs from 8 pm Friday to 7 am Sunday. You don’t have to include times at all or for every listing, but when you have something so short, it’s going to take some extra effort.
And you’re trying to sell your sit so it is kind of like doing an Airbnb listing. You want yours to be more enticing than any other listing in the area at the time. Sometimes that takes effort.
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Is there a way to add reviews for myself? It looks like there are “character” reviews for new sitter from friends/family but is that an option for me as a host? Only seems fair…
How about this for a new profile? (Pics will be updated as suggested as well)
Cozy Home in Farmers Branch, TX - Perfect for Cat Lovers!
Dates: (Flexible arrival/departure times for a full weekend experience)
Description: Welcome to my cozy and comfortable home in the quiet and safe neighborhood of Farmers Branch, TX. This two-bedroom house, plus an office, is perfect for a single traveler or a couple traveling together. The master bedroom features a queen bed, while the second bedroom has a twin bed.
Responsibilities: I have two adorable super-senior cats who will be your companions during your stay. P is 16 and Tuff Muffin (“Tuffy”) is 20 – I lovingly refer to them as “The Boys.” Here are some key responsibilities for their care:
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Sleeping Arrangements: They both sleep with me but they don’t have to sleep with you. It won’t upset them if you don’t want them to sleep with you, they’re just used to sleeping with me (they are both master snugglers, though). If you do allow them to sleep with you, just make sure to leave the bedroom door open at least wide enough for them to get to the litter box in the night.
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Feeding: The boys should not eat each other’s food so their food should not be left out when no one is home.
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P’s Routine: Morning and evening feedings include wet and/or dry food, probiotics, Dasuquin, and Gabapentin (mixed with his food). P has Inflammatory Bowel Disease but it’s been under control since 2020. For this, he gets liquid medicine by mouth once per day and he takes it pretty well without resistance (he’s just squirmy sometimes).
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Tuff’s Routine: Morning and evening feedings include dry food, probiotics, Dasuquin, Miralax, and Renal K powder (mixed with his food). Tuffy also gets liquid Gabapentin twice per day by mouth and he takes it really well. He also gets a cream medicine rubbed into his ears twice per day and he has no issues with this either.
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Litter Box: Scoop the litter twice daily into the Litter Genie – empty the bag into the garage trash bins as necessary.
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Water: Keep their water bowl filled with filtered water and sprinkle a tiny bit of pink salt into the bowl.
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Cleaning: The cats are not allowed in the bedrooms by themselves. Clean any messes promptly using the provided cleaning supplies.
Local Attractions: Farmers Branch is a safe, quiet, charming area with plenty to explore, making it a perfect weekend getaway. Here are some highlights:
- Farmers Branch Historical Park: A beautiful park with historical buildings and walking trails, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
- Vitruvian Park: A scenic park with events and activities throughout the year, including light displays during the holiday season.
- Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center: 6,000sf facility offering a variety of fitness/aquatic, recreational, and educational opportunities and is less than a mile from my house.
- Farmers Branch Rose Garden: A stunning garden with a variety of roses, ideal for a relaxing afternoon.
- Golfing: Brook Hollow Golf Club, Maridoe Golf Club, Preston Trail Golf Club, Luna Vista Golf Course
- Galleria Dallas: A large shopping mall with a variety of stores and dining options, just a short drive away.
- Library: Farmers Branch Manske Library is 1 mile from my house, easily walkable depending on the weather.
- Dallas Attractions: All within 30 minutes (by car) and easily accessible by public transportation.
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
- Dallas Zoo
- Flight Museum
- Klyde Warren Park
- Dallas Museum of Art
Nearby Restaurants and Grocery Stores:
- Restaurants: Enjoy a variety of dining options such as Babe’s Chicken Dinner House, Nuevo Leon Mex Mex Restaurant, Queen of Sheba, and The Victoria Restaurant.
- Grocery Stores: Conveniently located grocery stores include a farmers market store, Tom Thumb, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market.
Transportation: While you won’t have access to my personal vehicle, there are plenty of transportation options available:
- Public Transit: DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) provides convenient bus and rail services.
- Rideshare Services: Uber and Lyft are readily available in the area.
- Parking: You can park your vehicle in my garage if needed.
Additional Information:
- Non-smokers only, please.
- Sitters may be out of the house for up to 6-8 hours per day, but please ensure the cats are fed and their routines are maintained. They do tend to eat more the longer their food is left out but they are used to me being out of the house for work most days.
- The cats’ vet information and emergency contacts will be provided.
Why Farmers Branch is a Perfect Weekend Getaway: Farmers Branch offers a peaceful retreat with easy access to the vibrant city of Dallas. Enjoy the tranquility of a quiet neighborhood while being just a short drive away from the bustling attractions of Dallas. Whether you’re looking to relax or explore, Farmers Branch provides the perfect balance for a memorable weekend.
I look forward to welcoming you to my home and hope you enjoy your stay in Farmers Branch!
Edited to remove dates as per the ToS: Dates are only permitted in the text of a post for Last-Minute Sits
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I’ve been using THS for many years and I love it but one thing newer members don’t think about is how much time and effort it can take to prepare your home for a THS sitter, especially if they’re staying in your bedroom. The sitter will also need to prepare the home for your return, which will cut their relaxing or sightseeing time down. I think your new listing sounds friendly and appealing now, but I do think it’s a lot to hope to find someone comfortable following all the medical instructions. I’m guessing you’ll also get questions about “clean up messes…” - what messes are typical and what cleaning is required? For shorter sits it may be easier all around to find a local paid sitter who could come for repeat short visits as needed.
I don’t want to discourage you at all, we’ve had great success with THS even with older cats and a handful of farm animals, I just want to help you think about it from the sitter’s POV. (Btw I’m an HO, not a sitter)
I appreciate the response but that is discouraging. I was hoping to be able to use this service instead of paying a house sitter - it’s expensive! I’m trying to be honest in my listing but their needs are what they are. I don’t think it’s that complicated - no injections, no meds throughout the day (“messes” are just whatever happens in the normal course of a day, nothing serious). I feel like if I go into so much detail, I’ll be labeled overbearing and again cautioned about “scaring” off sitters. I’m happy to have someone come into my home, I’m proud of my home, but I’m not running an airbnb here. I’ll do everything I can to make my home comfortable for someone but it’s my home, not a hotel or a resort or a professionally managed property. I’m trying but I just don’t get it.
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I completely agree that
And it’s great to disclose them in advance. That way only sitters prepared to provide that care will apply.
I am a sitter and I rarely do weekends unless they are very close to where I am or on my way to some place but I would not be scared off you listing at all. I don’t think it is difficult. The thing about “messes” wouldn’t stop me from applying but I would ask you to be more specific. You include it in the cleaning section but start talking about the cats so I get the idea the cats cause the messes but it could also mean that if I spill something by accident I should clean it up right away. If what you mean is the second option, there’s no need to mention it in the listing; it’s common sense but it doesn’t harm to mention it in the welcome guide. If what you mean is that cats may pee or poop outside the litter box, this should be specified because that’s not normal behaviour. Occasional vomiting is not that uncommon in cats.
Welcome to the forum and THS community. I’m sure you will have great experiences.
Good luck
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Hi @Sculls-sodium-0j
Can I suggest that wording it as my cats may be left for between 6-8 hours a day is slightly friendlier way of wording the same info.
The other question which as a non driver I look for is how far is it to the nearest public transport stop/hub. A 5, 10 or 45 minute walk. So that info is useful I feel.
Overall a good listing now.
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I’m overseas at the moment but if I were back in the states, I would sit for you if the dates were a bit longer. We go to Carrollton frequently as it has the closest Hmart korean grocery store. It’s super cold in Nebraska and Dallas over the winter is just warm enough.
I disagree about the yard and patio. I always bring a lawn chair with me (I drive to all my sits) and often pick listings that have an appealing outdoor space, even if it’s a narrow strip of yard. As for the patio or screened porch, one can always bring out a chair to sit on, and most people add furniture as they settle in or as seasons change. Just another perspective!
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Try not to feel discouraged! I bet there are plenty of sitters in and around Texas who would appreciate your charming small town, inviting home and precious kitties. I see a lot of weekend sits being taken with gratitude. As others have said, the most important thing is making your listing desirable, which you really have done. A lot of the details about cat care can wait for the Welcome Guide - e.g., what medications the cats take, feeding them separately, and keeping them out of bedrooms while sitter is out. You are very wise to disclose right at the start that medications need to be administered, and you could certainly specify liquid/topical etc. And if you’re talking about normal possible vomit or hairball messes, that can wait for Welcome Guide - but if either cat is frequently incontinent, I would disclose that so that you don’t accept someone only to find out they don’t want that extra work. I totally relate to not wanting to spend possibly hundreds of dollars to hire a house sitter (I do that for a living and realize it’s expensive!) and hope a THS sitter will come along soon and find your location and dates just perfect for their needs! If you’re lining up someone for January, you have plenty of time, especially just for two nights. Don’t lose hope - I can’t believe how many sitters commit way more last minute on here! If I weren’t about 2,000 miles away I would be tempted!
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I think very few sitters travel with furniture. And if people do change their seating, that is great, but they should show a pic with seating options, not just an empty room, to make it look more inviting.
Unfortunately I think I’m going to have to withdraw my listing & posted travel dates. Tuff has started to pee in the bed at night (twice in the last week) so I’ve got bigger issues than finding a sitter for a friendly weekend getaway just to try this service out. I was hoping for this to be an easier (and less expensive) option - one that I felt more comfortable with - than paying a house sitter. I had no idea what I was signing up for, basically having to list my house like an Airbnb and hope people picked me (why even offer the “invite” option or “check availability” if that’s not how this works?). I’m a single person with a lot of responsibilities - work, elderly single parent with developing dementia, and two super senior pets (one who now has developed a more serious complication). I don’t know that I have the time and effort it takes to manage this quasi-Airbnb that is actually my home. All I was hoping for was an easier way to find a sitter so I could maybe go on vacation or travel for work but I just don’t feel like that’s possible given the effort involved and my other responsibilities. Maybe I’ll change my mind when it’s not 5:30AM and I’ve just had to throw a load of sheets in the wash for the 2nd time this week.
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Funny to read that someone else does the same! When possible we take our own comfy camping chairs with us, to be sure we have good, comfortable chairs. Great house sitters hack!
Hi, I feel for you! This looks like a ‘computer-says-no-situation’ on a challenging life time moment.
When I read your post and additions, I learned that you want to save money on paid house sitters. That is understandable of course.
As a person who loves adventures, I regularly do new things. And regardless what I do, in general I have to accept that new things takes some time and effort, also when I am seriously mult-tasking like you do now, even if they are not the same on a specific level.
The first time you put your house up for sale, Airbnb, house swapping, or other things, it takes time and effort and a lot of ‘what-works-not’ and ‘what-works-well-discovering’. Energy and time consuming, I totally admit and understand. Totally!!!
And…at the end of the tunnel there is light 
Really it is.
What helps is reading the posts on this forum, to get an idea about culture, context and to-do and not-to-do.
You might going to meet people who are in the same situation as you and you are maybe going to make new friends, just like my love partner and I did.
This weekend we took a lovely dog in our house of new local friends we met through TH. And as the most of us agree: it must be a situation when everyone is happy and benefiting: pet owners ánd pet sitters.
And we really are!
I wish for you that you will find a solution where you and your two cats are happy and it doesn’t drain time and/or money (anymore ;-).
Christine
The Netherlands
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