Government policy abroad
We actually got new passports a few months back.
Its lovely you get the old one back with old visas stamps etc
Didnāt get the new blue ones.
Province do they cut the corner of your old ones in France.
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Hi @Lynda yes we are just a small number on the Forum at the moment and members include the very experienced and the very new from both sides of the network.
The only reason for the community being relatively small, compared to our global membership, is that we have not formally launched to our entire membership, that is scheduled for 2021 when the time is right for our members, given the unprecedented times we are living in. The Forum is public and searchable and the 2021 launch has promise of even more success.
The Community Forum was created as a safe place for members to share, exchange, learn, grow and connect and we are delighted with the results so far. 2020 has been incredibly challenging for everyone around the world making community more important that ever before and by supporting one another we will come through this.
Thank you for your contributions and for being part of our community.
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But Provence, I never said sitters donāt get photos of my home or pets - they are on my profile when itās live and I do say what part of London Iām in and what local facilities/transport links there are. I believe I give really good information compared to other HOs I see, but Iām not giving that information here as itās not relevant to the discussion. I havenāt been able to travel at all in 2020 and I see no end to the problem until mass vaccinations have happened. Addresses arenāt on passports anyway.
I just came in originally to say what I do; itās personal choice what other HOs do and what sitters do - I havenāt said everyone should follow my methods, but I feel Iāve taken a lot of unwarranted flack (not from you) rather than being acknowledged as having a process that works for me. I think weāre going in circles with this discussion - so Iām ducking out now. Best wishes, Lynda
We do what feels right for each application/ house sit and donāt really have a set rule on what we will answer or what information we will give.
One HO wanted to speak to a previous HO we had sat for because the house sit was very rural and I was doing the sit on my own (as a lone female) and the prospective HO wanted to make sure I would be ok.
We have a sit that we do regularly so I asked them if they would give a reference which they agreed no problem and then gave their number to the prospective HO. They had a chat and all was well, I sat in the middle of Dorset in a large house with 4 dogs and had a great time!
I think it depends what you feel comfortable with, what the motives are and if you think its reasonable etc. If not then just move on to another sit (when sits were plentiful!).
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Same as us Provence.
We had a 10yr visa for the State.
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Petsit.
That was kind of them
Being concerned for you.
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@Lynda Iām a little late to this discussion but just wanted to comment on you saying -
āWe HOs are having sitters to stay as guests in our home for freeā
Personally, I think that is quite offensive and totally the wrong attitude to have towards your sitters. - You are not giving us anything for free, you are having sitters stay in a fair exchange for our services caring for your home & pet.
You would only be letting us stay for free if you were paying us for our services
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May I ask, which country you live in and is it rural or urban?
We have found a huge attitude difference between countries and the environment where the pet owners live.
This doesnāt only apply to THS. We lived/sailed on a yacht for over five years UK, Med, Caribbean, US and Canada. Ruby was never locked. We only occasionally locked the dingy up. US sailors were shocked we were so lax in our security. They seemed to be looking for problems at every turn. They trusted no one. Canadians were like us, as were most of the UK sailors, Aussies and Kiwis. The Europeans were a mixed bag depending where they lived and in what environment. We have also found that pet owners follow this pattern as well.
We usually follow the path, whatever makes the pet owner happy we will oblige. If they want copies of passports, more references, evidence of our intentions of turning up etc. We are happy to give them it. If they want their house and garden secure at all times, no problem. One of the things we do ask in return is that all indoor security cameras are turned off.
We have never withdrawn an application yet because of something the pet owner asks for. It would have to be very intrusive for us to do so.
Elsie
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Exactly where the home is means a lot for the reason you point out. At the moment I am stuck in a sit very far from easy transportation. Rental cars, Uber and Lyft are costly to the point I will be much more selective in the future. Also, HO writes ā10 minutes from the beachā and I have to assume they think I am showing up with a car.
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Iām sorry you are stuck in a situation you are not enjoying but I have to ask, why didnāt you thoroughly research the sit before accepting it? Iām assuming you had a chat with the pet owner. That would have been the time to ask about public transport, taxis, Uber etc. If you had asked they would have realised you did not have a car and give you the distances in time to walk to.
Communication is everything before, during and after. I learnt the hard way as well and now research before our chat and ask lots of questions during. Itās worth it as you donāt end up somewhere you donāt want to be.
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I think nothing of it because I donāt know what their reasons are nor do I try to guess.
I keep looking and apply to what seems like a good fit. First to offer after I have applied and had a conversation that is agreeable I accept.
Then I mssg any pending applications a polite, sorry I am no longer available note and withdraw my application.
I never wait or hold out for the possibility of something better but I always initiate communication regardless if they have not responded.
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