Ive asked if a car is available for my use before. I dont see the problem in asking.
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Welcome to the forum @SGSchmiel people tend to come to the forum for help when things have gone wrong so the issues and problems that can happen are highlighted .
Many have been members of THS for years repeatedly using the platform to find a match successfully for many years .
The THS platform works when you realise it’s up to both hosts and sitters to use due diligence and communicate with perspective hosts/ sitters to understand expectations before confirming a sit.
If you decide to join , sitters will apply to you and you can choose sitters who have many great reviews and be reassured that your home and pets are in great hands . Some sitters have over 100 5 star reviews .
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Remember that humans are 11 times more likely to complain than compliment @SGSchmiel so the smattering of whining you hear on here is not a true representation of life as a sitter & HO. Now that we are 40+ sits, 22 countries and 3.5 years into this life we can truly say it has been a brilliant adventure. Top that off with new members that have been misled with “free holidays” and “choose your own sitter” by recent THS marketing & you’ll find a much truer picture. And yes, we all pay the same membership fee to be part of the THS community, sitter and HO. #dontsweatthesmallstuff
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We did a two year road trip in North America with 70% of the time pet sitting and the other 30% Airbnb. We were all over from Prudoe Bay (Artic Circle) to Florida Keys, Labrador to San Diego and everywhere inbetween. I can’t say every American we met was kind, considerate and friendly but can anyone honestly say every British or French or even Aussie had these qualities? Most were/are.
The original question comes over rather entitled. No, the homeowner is under no obligation to provide anything other than a true description of their pets and their habits, a clean and welcoming house with all the basic amenities and the truth about what they expect from this interchange of lives.
I do agree that THS has done us all a disservice with their “free holiday” advert campaign. There seems to be more and more entitled sitters expecting to visit top tourist areas, live in someone’s home and do nothing in return.
As for entitled hosts, I’ve only sat for one out of 150 plus sits. The husband was a true gentleman, lovely man who we spoke to and met. We eventually met the wife at the end of the sit. We were servants who should really not be bothering her. However, we got the last laugh. The dogs greeted husband with enthusiasm, they ignored her. We know how you feel doggies!
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For the 2 examples the HO drove the car. With the lady, she requested my husband drive 
So do sitters, just in case you’re not aware, which is why they have the right to request reasonable things and, with the new marketing campaigns, why some think they’re entitled to even more.
No service is perfect and there are definitely things that could be improved with THS, but much of what you will read here are people who have had problems. There are some threads though where people are talking about their positive experiences, so don’t forget to check those out. And also check out the thread where people are asking for feedback (both sitters and HOs) and people donate their time and effort to help people have the best experience possible.
I’ve been using the service as a sitter for almost a decade and, while I’ve had some not great experiences, I’ve had more fabulous ones and they more than outweigh the issues.
I do hope that THS re-thinks its current marketing though as it’s clearly misleading new users on both sides of the table.
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@SGSchmiel To clarify, both sitters and HOs pay to be part of THS. It is an affordable fee, once you consider the cost of either kennel care for your pets or cost of accommodations.
We are both homeowners and sitters. As sitters, we’ve had great experiences. We do vet carefully and discuss deal-breaker issues during the video chat prior to confirming any sit.
As homeowners, however, this is where we’re noticing a change. In the past year, the number of wholly unsuitable applicants is - for us - on the rise. We must be more patient and hope suitable sitters will eventually apply.
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That’s really interesting.
Would you mind expanding a bit, because I’m really interested in this. what is it for you that makes people unsuitable ?
Is it obvious on application by way of what they do or don’t write ?
And should it be obvious to the applicant that your sit will not be suitable for them but they apply anyway ? @KenandMary1998
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Thank you for your reply and your perspective on these issues. I was not aware that the sitters pay also. I appreciate your response as it does make me feel better about what I was reading in the forum. My husband passed away December 25, 2023 and I thought this might be something I might enjoy.
Best regards, Sara
Edited to remove extraneous text
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Thank you for your feedback as this helps me decide if I should pursue this adventure. My husband passed December 25, 2023 and I am a bit concerned about letting unknown sitters come to my home. Has it been your experience that most are trustworthy and kind individuals? One other question I have is it looks as though you sit as a couple, do you use a single sitter or a couple when you need a sitter or does it matter? Is there a guideline somewhere on this site that helps you build your Introduction or did you just randomly write yours? Again thank you for your feedback and taking the time to help guide me a bit.
Sara
Edited to remove extraneous information
I imagine many home owners who have never had a sitter before are a little hesitant starting out. However, the vast majority of sitters on this platform are trustworthy and kind individuals who have the best interests of the animals at heart. As with many things, you will occasionally get a bad egg. Sometimes red flags can be spotted by reading previous reviews or during a video call (the intention of which is to determine whether you are compatible, and the arrangement is suitable for both parties). However, I believe this is rare. Perhaps these forums suggest otherwise, as people come to discuss issues more than positive experiences.
I am a sitter and have been for about 6 years, so can’t speak from the perspective of a home owner. However, it can be a wonderful dynamic. I have built friendships with home owners and have been invited back on several occasions (the sit I am on now is a repeat, this is my fourth time here). Some people prefer having a solo sitter, others have a preference for a couple if, for example, they have energetic dogs or a large property. Some have no preference whatsoever and can make decisions based on who applies. My suggestion as someone who is just starting out and who is maybe a little hesitant, is to select an experienced sitter, whose reviews will provide reassurance. I have had two sits recently with new home owners. They had a lot of questions and I was able to guide them through the process, which was a positive experience for us all.
Wishing you the best of luck on your adventures!
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@SGSchmiel I am so sorry for the recent loss of your husband and can well understand your trepidation into venturing into the new territory of having housesitters. Its a huge learning curve! I echo everything @anon6309382 says and we too (myself and my husband) have been sitters for 6 years, all around the world. We are exactly as she describes- kind, caring, responsible, reliable etc and have over 100 5* reviews testifying to that. I would love to sit for you and give you a fantastic first sitter experience!! But as that probably won’t happen (logistically) I’d encourage you to choose experienced sitters with lots of great reviews to get you off to a good start. Make sure to have a video call to meet each other. Ask all the questions you need to. And the go with your gut! I wish you all the best!
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Great topic! This brought up a lot in us! Thank you and best to you. I hope you have a “rock star” sitter in waiting!
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Maybe we’re looking at things differently. Like my dynamic with hosts is friendly, so I’d have no trouble driving a friend to the airport. Asking to hop out and change drivers part of the way through would seem odd to me. I just wouldn’t see the point.
If I saw it as feeling like a servant, I just wouldn’t drive someone. To me, hopping out wouldn’t make any difference if that were the dynamic.
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@SGSchmiel It can definitely be a bit daunting inviting strangers to stay and look after your home and as others have said, selecting members with excellent reviews and experience will help. The video call is important prior to confirming anyone to make sure you are both comfortable in your choice.
What I haven’t picked up from your comments is whether you have a pet/s for sitters to look after or whether it is just your home you would be leaving. If it is the latter, do you really need a sitter/sitters? In my case, I have a combined membership but only use the sitter part at present because I no longer have pets. I sit regularly and head overseas for 3-4 months annually but never have a sitter looking after my home. Friends keep a check on it and may stay for a weekend to satisfy my house insurance agreement plus I have a gardener who comes every month to tidy up, prune and weed. If you do not have pets but have a network like I do, you may not need sitters.
If you look on your Dashboard, you will see a section headed Guidelines and Forms. There is one to click on saying Guidelines for House and Pet Sitters which will help you write your profile. There’s also one for owners if you choose to have a combined membership.
I am an older female and never did I think I would be having such a wonderful time in my retirement through house and pet sitting. Give it a go!
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welcome to the community!
To the OP. Sorry you went through this. I’m not finding these kind of sitters applying or if I am, I think I’m just screening them out before it gets to that point. I’m fortunate to live in an area that sitters want to come to so the ones I talk to are generally all great. But not even actually being willing to walk a dog! Sheesh.
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I’m genuinely shocked at this post.
Your post stated “vehicle necessary” but you were 30 min into the Video Chat before the need & availablitly of a car surfaced?
My guess? This Sitter was applying to as many Sits as possible, not reading posts carefully. And I think a list of 25-30 questions was a huge red flag. I’m wondering WHAT they could have been!
Home Owners should be able to assume getting a THS sitter means peace of mind that their home & pet will be safe and well cared for.
Sitters should be able to assume getting a THS Sit means a comfortble, safe, clean environment with no “surprise” onorous demands.
AND I think this once again brings up the absolute importance of genuine, honest reviews - made so much easier with the new “blind” system where neither HO nor Sitter gets to preview the review of them before writing one for the other.
We’ve been doing sits for over seven years with THS: in general, mutual respect has been the rule.
Like in most things in life, we all have to trust our instincts, and look for like-minded folk to match up with!
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Marion, Everything about this Sitter screams “abuser.”
Hopefully if she pulls these kinds of things on other HO they will write honest reviews to warn future HO!
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Maggie8K - Every time I read one of your replies I find myself agreeing with you.
We too take a “new friends” approach and some become true friends we’ve now had for years! I wanted a Sitter in our home to feel like a “guest” who was going to pitch in and help us. Now as Sitters we “pitch in” as needed. We have offered to drive HO to airports in their vehicle and in ours. We have helped out with unexpected issues. Bottom line is mutual respect & consideration. If that doesn’t exist? Someone on one side or the other will probably not have a good experience. Good HO get great repeat Sitters. Good Sitters get great repeat Sits!
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