Sitter canceled one week out

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
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We are traveling next week for a celebration of life for my dad who passed last year. Our confirmed sitter (for the last five months) has been a little distant in trying to shore up a time to chat this week or have her come before we leave to go over everything, and today she texted she can’t come because she was walking a big dog that pulled her down a slope and she’s bruised and her hips and back hurt.

I realize that I am sounding like a total b*#!% but I call BS. I’m sorry, but no. ALSO - you have zero recourse to review a sitter that cancels and I think that is fundamentally wrong. I want to warn folks that this person may not be reliable.

Now what do I do? I contacted support and got a lot of legal jargon that they may or may not cover costs of a sitter and the sitter or boarding needs to be a legal entity, blah, blah, blah.

We have had nothing but positive experiences with THS but this one is a big deal, considering why we’re traveling.

Thoughts?

(Listing added to member’s profile)

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I am so sorry fir this added stress. Can you link your post here in case someone can help ?

What you “sound like” is irrelevant. You’re in an awful bind during a challenging time

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We’re in Georgetown, Texas - should anyone be interested!

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@lala123
Sorry that you’ve had a last minute cancellation. I understand how stressful this will be .

You can post in the last minute section of the forum. Which may lead to a sitter applying .

Or

You can use your back up plan and if this is a paid sitter or boarding service submit the receipts to THS . ( if you are a Premium Member )

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@lala123

If you have a premium plan membership then you will be covered if you end up having to pay for a sitter

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@lala123, sorry to hear of your frustrating situation.
THS does not publish data on sit cancellations - pet parent vs housesitter, geography, time from sit, etc.
Based on THS Forum threads then cancellations are rare (hopefully) but they do occur. Sometimes stuff happens in life. Accidents. Emergencies. Etc.
For context, two Pet Parents cancelled international housesits of ours on the first day of the sit when we were already in-country. Each had their reason. Stuff happens.

It sounds like you’re already in contact with THS Member Services. Good. Other ideas-

  • If THS Premium Member, carefully read Sit Cancellation Insurance terms. They’re quirky. You may not want to proceed but it’s probably an option
  • Re-list housesit on THS website
  • Post housesit on THS Forum ‘last minute sits’
  • If you didn’t have a backup plan (stuff happens) then create one ASAP
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