@Smiley so true! Could a travel insurance help in this case perhaps?
Can you cancel and get airline credit for your flight or would you totally lose your ticket? If the latter, that really sucks.
If you end up going, I hope you make the best of your unplanned vacation. Hopefully you’ll find other sits during that time.
Hearing these stories too often, I think I’ll be exploring travel insurance before our next THS adventure.
@emmarrr I doubt using pet sit was cancelled would be a reason for travel insurance company to pay out on but I could be wrong.
I very much doubt that
The sit wasn’t in the States but thanks anyway!
If a homeowner becomes ill or has a family member pass away and has to cancel the sit, then a sitter will be covered by their travel insurance. I had to put a claim in once where the homeowner had an accident which prevented her from going on her vacation and my travel insurance covered the cost of my flights.
Thanks - I do have a plan B in place.
Thanks for passing on your experience @Globetrotter. It may depend on your country, travel insurance company and policy taken out whether a sitter would be covered.
Yes exactly.
Wow, that seems like great travel insurance! I reckon most would not cover it. Out of curiosity would you share the provider?
Just wanted to give an update to my post re the homeowner cancelling on me. I didn’t want to say too much as the homeowner may recognize me on here but that’s no longer a concern of mine and I know members have asked me to update them. I accepted the sit about five months ago and my husband was advised not to travel as he was undergoing health tests. I offered to come on my own as I felt bad letting the homeowner down and the homeowner cancelled. I had been looking for sits for the last year. The sits in Dublin don’t usually get posted far in advance. As luck would have it, I have been offered two wonderful house sits so I’m all set to go! I can’t say enough about how responsive the Irish homeowners were about getting back to me - immediately! I never received one hit of the “decline” button. Instead, I received lovely messages back and had two great video chats where I’m feeling welcomed with open arms 
Thanks for your reply Cuttlefish! I can’t imagine a sit being cancelled as the plane landed. Have always had great experiences on our end. I’ve been really lucky and just posted an updated on here - I had accepted the sit in Dublin six months ago. Sits there don’t get advertised far in advance and I’m a planner who likes to book in advance. Just this last week I was offered two sits for my entire time there - extremely lucky! They could have gone with local sitters but chose me from another country - I feel very flattered!
I just wanted to give an update on here re my house sits in Dublin - just returned a couple of days ago! I had a fabulous time - both house sits, pets and homeowners were absolutely wonderful and I received glowing reviews. I especially bonded with one of the dogs and the homeowner said she was really missing me. I managed to see my only surviving aunt and uncle who are now in nursing homes as well as other relatives and friends. Also got invited to dinner at the previous homeowners I had sat for twice before - it was seven years ago since I sat for them. It was truly a wonderful time followed by a personal vacation to Greece. I can’t say enough about the lovely homeowners who came to my rescue when the original sit got cancelled.
So glad it worked out for you in the end, @Globetrotter; thanks for letting us know.
I do love Dublin & the people of Ireland; have experienced nothing but the utmost kindness from everyone I’ve met on my trips there, which is why I’ve come to love it so much…looking forward to getting back there soon.
Would love to hear more about your trip/sits, as well as your trip to Greece, as I’ve never been but am thinking of doing something very similar this fall…!
Feel free to message me re Greece as this is my third time there and I’ve been to about six islands in the last nine years so happy to answer any questions you may have or give you itinerary tips, etc. I worked in the travel industry so happy to help!
Will do, thank you! Just about to hit the hay here but will be in touch soon. 