Absolutely include that in your review. Nobody seems to give true or bad reviews on TH which makes reviewing somewhat pointless
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The HOs should have been explicit on their listing about this requirement. Even with towels down in the car, dog hair is still going to find its way into the vehicle.
I would be really unhappy if this was sprung on me after accepting, as thatās a lot of fuel money and I donāt know why the sitter should have to pay it.
I think this is another example of why outright unpaid housesitting doesnāt always work.
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I donāt think itās comparable to sitters using the aircon or heating, given how much HOās would spend on kennels / catteries. What would you do without a sitter? Your pet is getting round the clock care and monitoring in case of an emergency.
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I agree with Snowbird, they are not such lovely people. I would put them more in the manipulative category. The HO for the sit I am currently on doesnāt want me to clean - 4 people come weekly to clean, provided all kinds of goodies, including a salad delivery weekly. I did drive the dogs to the beach, because we wanted to go (my daughter is with me on this holiday sit), but the owners did not expect them to go. In fact doesnāt expect them to be walked much. They have a doggie door. But we walk them at least 3 times a day. It is a bit much for one of them, who may not be here much longer. These are considerate and lovely HOs. Putting us first. All they want is that we take care of the dogs. I could drink 10 bottles of wine and they would be cool with it. I didnāt but just saying the difference in lovely hosts.
In fact, it was the first time they have been to the beach. I am in San Clemente, the beach is not far. They are 12 and 14. Every time we head out for a walk, one runs to the car hoping we are going to the beach again.
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Love that! You are giving them a holiday of a lifetime! I like to think Iām a favourite visiting uncle ! Yes the pets love me for a few good reasons: treats and walks and games and cuddles are freely given and often. For the love of pets is why Iām here and they and the grateful home owners know it.
āEat and drink anything in the houseā written into the welcome guide in case I canāt believe it. I donāt drink on duty but lovely to be offered it. lovely drinks trolley and a big bag of Christmas presents at my disposal as well as food in fridge and cupboards.
Yes I know Iām welcome here! A happy repeat sit for a Home owner with three rescues; two cats and a dog. Sheās pure gold and deserves a family Christmas and New Year with her family at home.
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I give detailed descriptive reviews. Iām always passing forward my experience to future sitters. Iām also giving useful feedback for the HOs.
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Same here ! Old teacher still writes reports on animals and their owners. If I come back they are top of the class!
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Good information. I have a sit coming up and owner is providing their own vehicle set up with (crates) to take dogs to dog parks etc. I must also mention to leave gas for these outings
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A specious argument. How much would a sitter spend on accommodation? And there are a number of pet care options beyond THS. The point is that while the basis of the agreement is free accommodation in return for free pet sitting, there are still costs involved for both parties, and itās up to them both to agree on what is reasonable.
This post was not about what should be offered or agreed either side in general. Itās that these particular hosts just assumed @Smiley should use her own car for their dog walks. And they gave no warning of it. And they also offered no petrol money for doing so. And they had spare cars of their own. And they had a parking permit they didnāt offer her. Yes itās all about exchange, and in this instance itās a very one sided ask. As an experienced sitter @Smiley is seeking opinions from other members on how to handle it and review this sit specifically. Weāre on a very nice HK sit with no car mentioned & on arrival were offered the keys to a very smart Discovery should we want or need it for dogs, vets or groceries. Now thatās consideration for your sitter! #alittlethoughtgoesalongway
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Thank you everyone for your contributions and help with my dilemma. I will not let myself be put in this position again.
After considering all the advice I decided to send a message to the owners stating all the good things about the sit but that I have normally been able to walk dogs straight from homes. I advised them to offer reimbursement for petrol and parking to future sitters and that, while I had taken dogs out in my car before that had been my choice. I also mentioned that a restraint should be considered and was told they would look into that.
In my review I stated that it was not possible to walk the dog from the house but that I had to drive to the walks. Iām afraid I chickened out of saying I used my car and that no reimbursement for petrol was offered, however hopefully any potential sitters can read between the lines.
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I think it did occur to them but they took advantage. I donāt believe that neither of them thought it wasnāt cheeky. I would be very embarrassed asking a sitter to drive my dogs for miles in their car.
Iāve never been asked to drive dogs in my car but I have been told of great parks or beaches where the dogs would like, yet no offer of the ownersā car.
My car has been destroyed by dogs and now that I have a new one, I wont be giving any more lifts unless it suits me.
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Accommodation you pay for comes with the freedom of coming and going as you please without the responsibility of caring for a pet. A lot of sits have a requirement that the pet isnāt left alone for more than a certain number of hours.
Iām on a sit now and the pet injured themself a few days before Xmas so I had to monitor them, and they may have needed the vet on Xmas eve, meaning I would have had to cancel plans. How is that responsibility comparable to being in accommodation you pay for and can do whatever you like?
Also sitters can take or leave a sit - your pet canāt feed itself and take itself to the vet, so Iād argue home owners need sitters more than vice versa.
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Well said. Some home owners donāt think about what sitters are doing for them and their pets. Iāve also had situations where Iāve had to monitor dogs who became ill and take them to the vet. Keeping the home secure is also a big advantage.
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The āfree accommodationā is a bit of a misnomer. It comes with strings. Responsibility for someoneās pet and home is not inconsequential. I admit I did not consider that enough the first sit. Then you realise how you would feel if the pet became ill, lost, injured or god forbid died on your watch. When it works as designed it is fair exchange āworkā and responsibilities for accommodation. Each side you feel itās fair and they are getting a good deal. If one side is taking advantage thatās no longer fair exchange.
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Definitely. I think we can all agree itās a way to travel if you need to save money on accommodation, but it comes at the cost of extra freedoms and some of your labour. When you stay in a hotel you donāt need to send daily photos of an animal youāre responsible for and check in with the the hotel owner regularly, or liaise with them over how the garden is handling the hot weather. The worries Iāve had when a plant has wilted, or whether Iāve vacuumed meticulously enough for a HOās standards. It can really be a lot!
I suggested it to a friend once and she said she didnāt want the responsibility or stress of caring for someoneās pet and home as a holiday - Fair enough! But I think that makes the point.
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I agree with your friend in many of her concerns. I pass on applying to many sits because it is too many strings just for a stay.
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Me tooā¦ After being on THS for 4 years I have learned to be very very selective.
The introduction of this booking fee has now pushed things too far off balance for me.
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I didnāt renew 1. Jan. 
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Sounds like you handled the situation really well! Hopefully future sitters will at least now know ahead of time that walking the dogs isnāt convenient.
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