I don’t blame you at all. I had a sit once where I arrived to a filthy house, dead flies in the bath tub, mouldy food in the fridge and used tissues all over the floor. It was beyond frustrating to have come from one sit where I had cleaned for the home owner’s return, to go straight into cleaning another home in order for it to be habitable. You are absolutely right to go with your instincts. We don’t need to accept sub-standard environments we don’t feel comfortable in.
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Funny you say it must be in the US. I was assuming this sit was in the UK. 
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Oh my, sorry more vent, I’ve now had 6 calls from this owner plus numerous texts and messages and emails all in 2 hours (working hours may I add). I was trying really hard to be diplomatic and not have to spell it out but after being told what could possibly make you uncomfortable for just a 5 day stay and then well there were hardly rats running around… Jeez does someone actually think that after that kind of behavious anyone would want to sit for them any more anyway. Just cut your losses and move on! Update: a number of extra message and now she has signed off with the charming message “it’s now clear why you are so alone in life”. Wow. What. Is. Wrong. With. People.
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Have you considered reporting this owner to THS? I really don’t think they belong here, in a community based on MUTUAL trust.
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Why not just block them? Or screen capture all of their insane messages and report them to THS and then block them? Who needs such drama over a sit you’re not even doing?
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Couldn’t agree more re the drama. This madness literally happened over less than 3 hrs while I was working and after the insulting final message (which says a lot about this person and which they sent via whatsapp and sms for extra impact) it’s now complete radio silence. One way or another I think I dodged a bullet, even if not completely unscathed.
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Agree completely with @Newpetlover They should be reported to the platform. This kind of behaviour is not conducive to respect.
Re: the final message, please don’t take this to heart (easier said than done, I know). She is feeling threatened because you have said/ implied her living environment is not suitable for you, and therefore felt the need to lower you in order to raise herself. It’s what bullies do. You have absolutely dodged a bullet.
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How did you cancel? I thought sitters couldn’t cancel. The HO had to cancel.
It sounds as if they hadn’t confirmed on the home visit so just didn’t proceed after seeing how dirty it was @Huronbase,
& the poor sitter @Bianca still suffered unwarranted abuse!! #poorshowforsure
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@Huronbase You just go ‘I cancel’ and then cease further communication. This is an exchange platform based on goodwill. It’s not a pet sitter conscription service.
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I assumed (possibly incorrectly 
) it wasn’t in the UK, because I can get a plumber same day in an emergency and can’t understand why the HO couldn’t/didnt. Also, holiday terminology (vacation - US). Just hope she’s sorted now. I certainly wouldn’t have stayed AT ALL with a camping loo! 
I’m in the US and there are plumbers you can get 24/7. There is no excuse why this HO didn’t have a working toilet. Have a great day!
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I’m new to THS as of November and this situation would be my worst nightmare! The camping comment would be an absolute deal breaker for me. I HATE camping! And I can’t believe that the HO could minimize the situation like that. So sorry this happened to you but thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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Hi @Zigmeister. Welcome to the forum and THS community.
Please don’t be discouraged, this situation is really rare, I would say this is really an extreme case. It’s good to always have a plan B, though, so that you’re not forced to endure unacceptable conditions.
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