I decided to give a chance to some newer/younger sitters because they seemed specifically interested in caring for our goats, and because I myself got into urban farming by home staying with all kinds of people when I was young. However, they bailed Day 1, after us spending over two hours training them on pets etc the day before. We confirmed with them many times that things seemed good and that theye were committed I woke up from our first night on the road (we are traveling for medical needs for my daughter) to a text that it wasnāt a good fit and that they had left, and left the keys on the porch. I had a very stressful day trying to make sure our animals and home were safe. We have used this site and other housesitters over the past many years and not had this issue. What do you all think would be the right course of action here?
Welcome Carolyn. Thatās really awful and must be so stressful for you. Iād report what happened to support@trustedhousesitters.com in the hope that others wonāt have to experience similar with them.
They thought it would be fun and then found out there is actually some work involved. They are abandoning pets that need to be fed, watered and kept safe. They didnāt even give you a chance to find someone else. They are dangerous to living creatures and should be removed immediately from this platform.
I am so sorry this happened. You should report them to the site but be sure you title the message āMember disputeā if you contact them by email as this signals you are making a formal complaint that may require action from the company. Leaving the sit like that without any notice simply because it is not a āgood fitā is not acceptable and I hope that THS will permanently remove them from the platform.
You need to report these sitters immediately, sending screenshots of their messages saying theyāve abandoned the sit. Click on the Help button and repeat twice to āFrankieā you want to speak to a human.
I am so very sorry for the stress this is causing you.
So sorry this has happened to you as Iām sure there would be a lot of sitters who would jump at the chance of looking after your goats. Please do report them in the manner others have advised as they should be removed from the website as donāt deserve such wonderful opportunities. It really was kind of you to give these young sitters an opportunity but, sorry to say, they may be in this for the wrong reasons.
Please let us know here how you get on
Sitters should not leave a sit ( unless there is an extraordinary circumstance) and even then should give owners sufficient notice ( minimum 24 hours ) so that pets are not abandoned and the hosts have time make alternate arrangements.
Was it the pet care responsibilities or another reason ( living conditions/ third parties / internal cameras ) that the sitters gave for it not being a good fit ?
You can the Urgent Support Phone Number ( itās a 24/7 number )
and as others have already recommended raise a āMember Disputeā
Itās only by using these exact words that THS start an investigation with potential action taken against the sitters . A screenshot of the message where the sitters said that they had already left .., should suffice as āevidenceā .
@carolynnn if you are Premium members you may also be covered for the costs of alternative arrangements by the sit cancellation plan .
Please report back to the forum on the outcome if you do decide to raise a member dispute about this.
Omg, that is AWFUL, Other people have already said what I would be thinking which is immediately report them, but I know that doesnāt help you with the stressful situation you find yourself in, after already dealing with a stressful situation. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am. We are sitters and find that unconscionable, leaving Animals in potential danger is just beyond. I wish these people had legal consequences for doing that.
This is unacceptable behavior. Even if they felt they were in over their heads they should have agreed to stay until you could make other arrangements. I would call in to THS and raise a membership dispute. At the very least THS needs to put them on watch in case something like this happens again. If the sit wasnāt cancelled by you, you can still write a review and warn other homeowners.