Hello everyone!
I’ve used Trusted Housesitters three times and had the same sitter each time. We have a family holiday coming up in two weeks and I’m yet to receive an application. I have tried the ‘boost’ button and inviting sitters through the app. I’m getting concerned for my precious furries!! Any advice on how to secure a booking would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance
Sorry, can’t help, but I’m in the same boat. I’m 4 weeks out. Usually, I have several applications to choose from. I’ve invited several who have saved my listing, but no luck there either.
Would love to have advice from sitters as to what’s going on.
I was wondering if I need to make the listing more attractive. Maybe add more pictures of the area/the dogs etc. not sure what else to do….
Maybe the first time round, when I had applications straight away, was a fluke!
Some of our members use these instructions to add their listing to their Forum profile which in turn, allows our more experienced THS Forum members to critique your listing and give some hints and tips 
I’m finishing up for today, but if you have any issues with adding your listing to your profile, let me know and I’d be happy to help when I’m back tomorrow at 2025-05-15T07:00:00Z.
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I have almost 40 sitters who have saved my sitting, so I’m not sure it’s the listing itself. I offer use of my car, plus I put the sitter up the day before & after at my expense in the complex guest suite. My dog has gotten great reviews, as have I, but I think it’s a short trip, and more and more sitters are holding out for long sits.
Because it’s a short trip, I think I’m going to try a local sitter who takes dogs into their home. The price is reasonable for the length of time.
If that doesn’t work, I’ll put my listing on for opinions.
Take care,
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I am in the same boat. I have a lovely home, great dogs and not one application. It’s a weekend trip in early June and I’m getting very worried as one of my dogs is 13 and cannot go to a kennel. I’ve had my listing reviewed and they say it’s perfect. I’ve chatted with TH probably 4 times to no avail. They boosted my listing and I’ve had a few people save it but no applications. Extremely disappointed.
I think length of sit can limit pool of sitters. Personally I can travel far for a sit ( my last was intercontinental) but shorter sits (a weekend, up to a week) doesn’t really make up for long distance travel cost and the work with end cleaning of fhe sit. For a short sit it would for many make more sense to book a hotel room.
But some can be interested - by all means! It is just that a pool of sitters might be smaller.
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I believe travel is down all over the world. I’m currently on vacation in Jamaica and I’m told even the cruise lines don’t come here as often as they used to. A year ago it was much busier. The resort I’m at is at 53% occupancy.
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There are plenty of factors, including inflation and more people tightening on spending. There also was a glut of travel right after the pandemic restrictions eased — some folks might’ve blown their budgets in a fit of travel and other spending. The economies in various countries also are under pressure for various reasons.
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Use the link @Jenny provided to add your listing to your forum profile, Experienced sitters will then take a look and see if they can offer any advise
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Thank-you, that’s very helpful!
Thank you! I’ll give this a go
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Not all over the world, just down in some countries compared to others. SEAsia is very busy with tourists but doesn’t have a strong house sitting culture due to extended families so very little need apart from a few expats and immigrant retirees on pension visas. Flights are very expensive atm and currency exchange rates can be an issue also border issues might be dampening down sitter confidence about travel to certain destinations.
I usually don’t consider sits under five days unless the listing clearly says something like, “We have a cleaner, just need a pet sitter! Short weekend, easy sit.”
Short sits still involve learning a new home and pet routine, getting groceries, and cleaning up afterward—which can take hours. For less than five days, I’d rather book a hotel, even though I love pets.
If I knew the homeowner had a regular cleaner and just needed basic tidying (e.g., taking out trash), I’d be more open to short stays. Otherwise, I’m doing sheets, mopping, mirrors, etc.—which is reasonable after a week, not a weekend.
Of course, sitters still need to clean up after themselves and the pets. This suggestion just helps attract more applicants—you can always vet them by their reviews.
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I’m getting nervous about my upcoming dates as well!
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Any luck, @Kirsty1? I’m still not seeing your listing link. Happy to give feedback once it’s been shared!
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@Kirsty1, @MC81 - don’t see listings on your profiles - see weblink on @Jenny comment.
Over half of THS listings are by Pet Parents located in the US. Quite a few recent threads have highlighted fewer applicants. This may be due to some international housesitters (like us) curtailing visits the US; less travel in general; or otherwise.
Suggest peruse THS Forum, say via search function. Prior threads have encouraged proactive review of listing to ensure that photos (especially first one) are great; inclusion of complete local information (local attractions, journey times, etc); inclusion of complete pet details (time/distance walked, how long can be left, etc); reflection on features that may improve attractiveness of housesit (use of car, flexible to arrive early or leave late, etc); and/or refocus to attract local housesitters.
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Thank-you! I’ve just added the link. In the meantime, I keep inviting sitters (Fingers crossed)
Hey! Thank you. Ive just added it. Any feedback would be welcomed
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Add points of reference, distance from local airports, and distance from nearby bigger cities. These might help people get a feel for where they would be sitting at.
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