Hi, Ive recently had a pet sitter and not sure what to do about the review for them… I found the whole experience really disconcerting and its made me think I never want to have another sitter in my house. It feels a bit like that film single white female… They asked to come a few days earlier as the sit they were at wasn’t working out. I guess this probably was a red flag. Anyway, I did let them come a day and a half early. They were very friendly on the zoom call prior and when they came to collect the keys before the start of the sit. We chatted for over two hours. Anyway, as I had let them come early it meant that I needed to go back to my house to collect something a day and a half into the sit. I did this and it was like the sitter had had a character transplant. They were really hostile and unfriendly. Immediately started criticising one of my cats, saying they were violent and had bitten and clawed them. Were rude about my other two and didn’t show any sort of affinity to them at all. it was so strange. I tried to say they could leave if they wanted to but they became very upset, talked over me, and at me, and the whole thing was really distressing. I just didn’t know what to do, I just left as it was really weird.
I then got a message the next day saying my cat had been sick, that they needed to go to the vet, and all this stuff which ended up not being true after I questioned and double questioned. It was like she was trying to make problems to prove my cat was the problem… She even said she thought the last sitters had abused my cat, which surely is not something this person could have known in any shape or form… When I finally suggested she leave as she clearly wasn’t happy and I was now getting worried about my cats and their care, she completely freaked out, told me I was crazy, I was making up fantasies and I needed to chill out and go and enjoy the time with my children…I did not reply. Anyway, she didn’t give me any updates on the cats, no photos or anything. In the end I asked her to send me photos which she did but with a message saying its weird to send photos of the cats to me. I have no idea why, even the woman who comes in to feed the cats if Im away with work sends me photos.
Anyway, we got back, she had already left, She did clean but she hadn’t fed the cats properly as per the welcome pack information and all my instructions left as they’d had a lot of dental biscuits which were only to be given in moderation. My cats medication was almost out which was weird as it should have a lot more left than is… She hadn’t left a note, and just replied that she had left the keys when I had thanked her for her stay and pet sit and wished her a safe onward journey. I suppose Im just a bit freaked by someone who seemed really friendly and nice suddenly became so hostile and stayed in my house and in my space… What should I do with the review if she left it clean and the cats are still alive so nothing major except the weird critical stuff and the making up my cat was ill when he wasn’t and saying he had attacked her which has never happened before.
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There was recently a similar thread which may help you in terms of completing a review:
Recent sit completed, struggling with review - Owner Questions, Advice & Chat - TrustedHousesitters Community Forum
However, I think there are more serious issues at hand with this sitter, which need to be addressed by THS directly, potentially resulting in their removal from the platform. The fact that the cat’s medication was a lot lower than expected rings alarm bells, for example.
I generally send photos and updates every second day on a sit. It is very commonplace to do so, and can be reassuring for the home owner to know their pets are happy and settled. As this does not appear to be the case here, no wonder she was reluctant to send photos.
Also, how nice someone appears does not say very much I’m afraid. Pretty much everyone is nice when you first meet them. Ted Bundy was known to be charming! You need to read the sitter’s reviews, question them on their experience, make sure you are explicit about what is required in terms of medication etc. Not to suggest you were in any way lax in these areas, but how nice someone appears to be is moot when it comes to their competence as a sitter, as is evidenced by your experience.
On another note, I am shocked by the flux of really poor sitters recently and wonder if THS is doing anything to address this? Home owners are increasingly saying they are reluctant to proceed with another sitter because of their negative experiences on the site, which surely can’t be good for business. But, from a more personal perspective, such awful sitters give excellent sitters (of which there are many on these forums) a bad name.
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It seems like these new sitters who are behaving badly are being chosen by new HOs who don’t go with their gut. Unfortunately two new members who are unfamiliar with how things work can lead to an unpleasant conclusion. 
But yes, there in an influx of both bad sitters and bad HOs and THS needs to get their crap together before they ruin the platform.
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Hi @SunshineDays
I have a differing opinion on your statement when you say there was ‘nothing major’ amiss with the sitter.
- She appears to have not followed your feeding directions
- She appears to have over-medicated one cat
- She didn’t provide updates/photos until prodded
- She appears not to have bonded well with the cats
I don’t know if you have had sitters before, but I assure you that all the above is not usual. I would encourage you to review and mark the review categories accordingly. You are essentially letting other HOs know if you would have her back.
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I’m sorry you had that experience. I’m curious what her previous reviews looked like. I would definitely say that her having to arrive early because her current sit wasn’t working out was a big red flag. It’ll be interesting to hear what that HO writes in their review.
As for your review, would you have wanted to know that she misused medication, misfed the cats, wasn’t communicative during the sit, made up health issues for the pet, etc. before you chose her? If so then it’s only fair that you let future HOs know of these issues. You should write a fair but honest review highlighting anything they did right as well as everything they did wrong so that future HOs can make an educated choice.
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It also indicates to me that she’s sitting due to need vs want. If the previous sit was so bad that she had to leave early, but needed a place to stay to bridge the gap vs paying for a hotel, it seems like the motivation to sit is more financial than out of desire to cuddle some creatures. I can imagine that might impact their interaction with the pets and the ultimate outcome of the sit. They’ll do the minimum to keep the pets alive but that’s about it.
Of course the saved lodging expenses on long sits are great, but I’ve also “lost money” on sits too. But I was doing it for the pets so it was a price I was willing to pay.
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This may apply in the current sitter’s case, but there are many sitters whose predominant reason for sitting is to save money, and who will provide exemplary animal care. After all, that is one of the benefits of house sitting for many of us. It doesn’t mean the sitter is therefore going to take advantage in any way or care any less for the animals than someone who has their own property, for example.
In saying that, if a sitter had to leave the previous sit early, I do find it a little strange that she’d ask the subsequent home owner to compensate by letting her arrive earlier than the stated dates. Evidently, the OP was very accommodating and generous but, in such a situation, I’d expect to make my own arrangements and pay for an Airbnb.
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Definitely. I think it’s just more likely to be an issue with those who are doing it to save money vs those who are doing it for love of the pets. The ideal is to have a bit of both. 
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Thank you for your comments, I think you have it spot on and clearly know a lot about this. I wonder what you think to my other post - my own experience of sitting myself last week… I’ve been very put off using THS going forward. Thankyou for taking the time to reply.
I’ve read most of your other post - it was too long to read it all. It sounds like a nightmare that you’ve already reported - which is really all you can do. There is no guarantee at the outcome. You can consider filing a member dispute but you’ll need proof of the issues including photos/texts/etc. If you feel the animals are being abused, I’d file a report with the local services that handle that.
It’s unfortunate that your first experiences on both sides of the table were negative but it sounds like you ignored a lot of red flags. This is a lesson that you should always follow your gut. You’re also allowed to say no to things that are unplanned/misrepresented and I would encourage you to do so.
Please leave accurate reviews for both situations to warn others of what they could be experiencing (if they’re not removed in the end). If you decide to continue with THS, I’d encourage you to ask more questions and make better choices. Don’t ignore red flags. If you’re not sure, ask here. Until you have more experience I’d focus more on HOs and sitters who are established and have a good track record of reviews.
Good luck to you!
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Thanks, wasn’t my first experience of either, you’re mistaken, thanks for your comments though. Ive had two lots of sitters previously with THS, and have house/pet sat previously in Australia but not through THS…
Ah, sorry. Then it seems like you’re just going through a spate of bad luck. But, there has recently been an influx of less than stellar sitters and HOs, so do keep your eye out for red flags on newer members.
Did she have to leave the last sit early, and if so - had other hosts left an honest and factual review, would you have chosen her?
One can be both honest and kind, I think. Mention both good and not so good. I would for instance truthfully be able to say that the sitter seemed very friendly and accommodating, even coming a day and a half early due to issues with their previous sit, was punctual and kept the house clean and tidy. On the other hand:
When returning to collect something, I was surprised to find sitter hostile and critical of my cats, which was very unsettling. She said one of my cats was violent and had attacked them, which has never happened before.
I found communication inadequate with no updates or photos of my cats unless specifically requested, and got claims about my cat’s health that was proven false, causing unnecessary worry. My cats were not fed according to the instructions provided, and their medication was unexpectedly almost depleted.
Overall, while the house was left clean, the experience was distressing, and I would not feel comfortable repeating this sit. Would something along those lines be within a kind and truthful review? Either way - let the next host be able to make an informed decision. I fear that hosts before you let you down?
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I think that’s a great overview for the OP @Garfield.
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This situation is very weird and should be mentioned in your review. I can’t fathom being hostile to a host. I’ve been awkward, sure but not hostile. Sometimes pets won’t get along with a sitter but all the details mentioned here are very unusual/red flag
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Fortunate she didn’t hurt your pets or damage your home. If someone had acted as you described, I would’ve tried to find out what had happened with the previous sit. And if that had checked out and she’d acted as you described when you returned for your stuff after letting her come early, I would’ve asked her to leave then.
The behavior you described — the change in personality — sounds like a mental episode and/or being under the influence of a substance(s). I wouldn’t want to risk pets (mine or anyone else’s) nor my home with such a person. This kind of case, while an outlier, is why everyone needs a backup plan.