I agree with you about being able to tag that the sitter cancelled. Since there’s no option for them to cancel it always looks like it was the HO that cancelled.
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I had my first 5 confirmed sits cancelled within a week of the dates. One was because he didn’t have the funds to get here. Really! You shouldn’t be doing sits if you can’t afford to travel there. The other 4 were the same person and she had just gotten laid off from her remote job, so I understood that one and considered it to be an extraordinary reason. Luckily I was able to get a friend to watch my dog for the first one but had to pay someone to watch my next sit, which took money from my trip budget. Luckily I was able to get confirmed sits for the other 3. It was very frustrating and made me want not want to continue using this site. I did contact member services about this
@dancesch so sorry to hear this , but glad that you persevered with THS and found some more sitters for 3 of the sits.
The first one is inexcusable, and very inconsiderate. That sitter must have known long before 7 days before the sit start date that they couldn’t afford to come . Whilst any cancellation is far from ideal , if they had at least given you advance warning, then you would have had time to find a replacement sitter . So not only did you loose out but also another potential sitter lost the chance to come and sit for you . What did member services say when you reported it ?
That first chap, who couldn’t afford to get to you @dancesch, you didn’t hear the sub-text. “Pay my expenses or I will cancel” 
I just sent them a general message telling them about all the cancellations and how disappointed I was with the site and they said they were sorry and suggested I place a request on the last minute requests, which I had already done and unfortunately didn’t get any responses to that
@dancesch the problem is that all cancellations are recorded against the homeowner unless you inform member services otherwise - so I recommend that you take screenshots of the messages where your sitter cancelled both where there was a valid reason and where there wasn’t… so that member services don’t record it as 5 sits that you cancelled !!
Ok thank you I will do that. I didn’t realize that
For me, the reason why she cancelled was because she didn’t try to make any travel plans until 2 weeks before the sit. She decided it was too expensive. She had confirmed a month before that. I’m in a bad situation right now as it’s a two weeks stay, and I currently don’t have any applicants.
That’s so irresponsible @Thtgrl1970 what a pain for you! Not that it’s much consolation now but I guess adding “have you checked out flights/travel for the sit dates?” might go into your pre sit chat questions. Can you add your sit to here for the forum (if you want help) & I think THS will post it on socials too if it’s a week or so away. Hope you find someone fab 
welcome to the forum @Thtgrl1970 Sorry to hear of your experience . If this was a confirmed sit , I can assure you it’s not the norm for a sitter to cancel without a good reason and is a disappointment to all the sitters on here who take our responsibilities to confirmed sits very seriously.
Obviously your priority is to find a replacement sitter asap - if it’s coming up very soon this forum has a section for last minute stays .
I recommend that you also inform member services about the sitter’s cancellation including screen shots of the conversation with your sitter where they said they couldn’t come because they hadn’t made travel plans in good time - I say this because all cancellations are recorded against the homeowner unless you inform member services otherwise .
All the best in finding a replacement sitter who will be committed to your stay and your pets .
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How many times does Starsitter have to call experienced sitters spoiled before a moderater puts an end to the conversation.
Thank you @ExploreDreamDiscover …
A reminder to avoid making judgments based on anecdotal evidence and to refrain from generalizing behavior, please respect the opinions of others even when you may disagree and remember to be kind in all of your responses.
@Starsitter volunteers are the backbone of many organizations, and their selfless contributions make a significant impact on people’s lives. It’s unfair and incorrect to assume that volunteers are less dedicated than paid individuals. Both volunteers and paid staff have their unique strengths and contributions, and together, they form a powerful force for positive change. This reference is in response to the implication that volunteers give less because they are unpaid and is not related to THS sitters.
What is related to THS is this … the dedication of sitters is matched only by the appreciation of pet parents/owners, it is a win win win, it may not work perfectly every time but then nothing ever does.
To infer that only payment provides the purchaser with the very best is simply not true, THS is a community of pet people who prove that there are some things that money can’t buy day in and day out across the globe.
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It’s an interesting observation. In my years in my career some of the most rewarding work I ever did was volunteer for medical missions. The travel was an added bonus but the “work” was humbling and a privilege.
Now that I’m retired, I have done more volunteering and I love how I feel when I do.
I believe the difference is the why. The dedication to the outcome of the work, the purpose and meaning is greater than the financial compensation.
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Here in Italy. It’s like pulling teeth, worse in fact, like pulling your own teeth out without anaesthetic & using a pipe wrench, to get paid services & workmen etc. They might come and measure up but you will never hear from them again. If you do trap someone into doing a job, they will just not show up for days on end.
Everyone can tell that pet-sitting is now flooded with young people after a free holiday (yes, go on someone, quote me and ask for evidence & call me biased) but the core of experienced, dedicated sitters who use this forum (and many who don’t) would sooner sell their granny than let down a confirmed sit.
Edited to follow guidelines.
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Maybe this is off-topic, but I’ve volunteered, supervised volunteers, worked with volunteers, and I am not a fan of using the word “volunteer” to describe sitters. First, in organizations in which I’ve volunteered or supervised volunteers, commitment was extremely important. Volunteers did in fact get "fired’ if they couldn’t fulfill their commitments. In some organizations volunteers went through vigorous training, and not everyone made it. They were often the backbone of the organization, doing really important work. Volunteers don’t generally “get” anything tangible for volunteering. In some places volunteering can potentially lead to a paid job, or at least look good on a resume and maybe provide a reference, but there is rarely anything tangible – room and bIoard – for instance that one receives. Often volunteering is for some greater good or to help others in need. Sometimes there are even PAID volunteer opportunities – for example some wildlife reservers offer such options where volunteers get to experience interactions with wildlife they wouldn’t normally have access to.
When one sits for THS one is being helpful to the pet owner, but it’s very clearly in exchange for something – a free place to stay while traveling. It is not a volunteer opportunity. It is an exchange. As a sitter, I look for sits where the exchange seems fair, where I will be able to enjoy the place I’m going to, and not be too tied down owing to the pets’ needs – but always with the understanding there could be an emergency, and I’d need to step up. As a homeowner, I do everything I can to make sure the sitter is comfortable, the house is clean, and the sitter will be able to enjoy their stay. I do a lot more for the sitter than I do for sitters dropping in who I would pay. I don’t view sitters as “volunteers” or “employees” but as guests. It’s a relationship of equals.
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If I had to pay an escrow, I just wouldn’t be continuing as a sitter. But yes, we should be able to see if someone is a ‘serial cancellor’, that’d be good
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As a sitter I wouldn’t cancel unless I was physically unable to make it but otherwise, once I’ve agreed that’s it. If I happen to see another interesting sit, that’s just too bad but maybe I’ll have another opportunity another time.
I’ve had cases of HOs cancelling on me through sickness at short notice (2 in the last year).
Some sits I have applied for, haven’t even been replied to or they take long so then I have looked at other sits and consequently withdrawn my application.
I can understand where some people have said that because it’s unpaid, some people maybe don’t take it seriously. But IMO, if it was paid, I would doubt that the sitter is doing it for the right reasons as opposed to for financial gain.
I’m sure THS would be able to add some function where it can be indicated if someone has cancelled an agreed sit. I used to get annoyed looking at sits only to scroll down to see it says ‘sitters need car’. I don’t have a car so if I can’t get there by public transport, it’s no point applying. THS have since added that filter so I can look for just places I can realistically get to.
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@Marion I just liked and then unliked your post, just so I could like it again.
THIS! 
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At no time did I say volunteers are not dedicated - to be clear. Neither did I say that it’s a good thing to cancel a commitment. I expressed an honest opinion.
What I expressed which is my personal experience is that people I have dealt with in two decades of business is when there isn’t pay involved, the result are mixed.
It’s not accurate in my experience to say that one should expect the same commitment from a person you are not paying. And respectfully, I am surprised that this line of argument is even being pushed.
Why would a stranger not choose to do what is best in life for themselves when it comes down to it? Of course they will and as evidenced by the many responses in this platform and from a multitude of other clients, cancelling does occur.
By denying this and the reasons for it serves no one bc the HO is not empowered to deal with it - in my opinion.
Edited to comply with posting guidelines
Actually… this isn’t what I wrote at all. 
Out of interest…I wonder, how many commenting here have ever paid for pet sitting or have been paid for it on a regular basis and are therefore qualified to compare the two?
Otherwise, it’s just volunteers who don’t really know the difference bc they haven’t been in a hiring position.
Until someone responds who has paid for pet sitting regularly and has been cancelled on as many times, after paying, than when using volunteers. And, no that one time isn’t enough, these comments don’t reflect actual experience.
My comments come from years of actual experience. Half of my clients came experienced sitters who cancelled. I did write “don’t shoot the messenger” right?
Enjoy your day y’all, I’m leaving the jungle. 