That’s a terrifying prospect! I couldn’t cope at the last minute if my sitter didn’t turn up! (And I’m just about to welcome my first one since joining)
Some breaks I would just not go, but holidays abroad are a different matter. How on earth do we sort the genuine sitters from the ‘tourists’?
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There are loads of amazing THS sitters @FernandaGSmith with tonnes of reviews, a comprehensive profile, lots of experience, years of sitting all over the globe 
and willing to chat with you beforehand so you are ALL a great match. Just give it a go. One bad apple 
shouldn’t taint the rest of us and remember, people are 11 times more likely to complain that compliment other humans. #toptip
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OMGoodness, that’s terrible, I am so sorry you had this happen to you and your first ever sit, not that there’s ever an excuse for a sitter not touching base, it would be like an owner not touching base to say " I can’t go away now, so the sit is cancelled"
I had a solid 7mths of sits booked back to back in 2021 and ended up in Hospital with Sepsis due to Gallstones, when I was aware enough (not on Morphine) I sent a message to all the Owners and said I would keep them posted as I didn’t know how long I was going to be out of action and that any that wanted to go ahead and cancel and find new sitters please do so, as it turned out I was in and out of Hospital over 9week and 7 of them in Hospital, I had complication after complication before, during and after surgery, anyways, they all kept in touch even after they had found new sitters and after their Holidays as I was still in and out of Hospital and we agreed if they had a sit again at a time that worked for us all we would come sit.
I am tore a ligament in my Knee in September last year and have been on crutches and a brace since then, I am still waiting for MRI results and to see a Surgeon to get onto the Surgery waiting list and have a only taken sits I have done before and are Bungalows or have a lift (no stairs) everyone else I had to let them know to find other sitters as I don’t know how long it is going to be before I have surgery and then I have a 6week recovery period.
I think THS need to change the advertising and their codes as it does seem like there are lots of people who honestly feel like House sitting is a “Holiday” it’s not you are responsible for someone else’s beloved Pets and their Home and Property, it’s a big responsibility and not to be taken lightly. Sadly there are some Owners who view the sitter as a free cleaning service and dog training service, parcel deliver depot and there grown up Kids can come and go as they please, which I am pretty sure that’s not in the spirit of THS. I understand they are trying to grow a business and gain more sitters to meet the demand of Owners, however they need to proceed carefully otherwise people sitters and owners are going to just go on Rover or other such sites or free sites where there is even less security for all parties.
We tried other sites, free sites too and went exclusively with THS due to their great reputation it had, this was a number of years ago, however it has changed.
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This is not the norm, leave plenty of time to find a sitter, look for reviews and be sure to do a video chat before deciding on a sitter, if they can’t do it, take offence, they are not for you, I put in my application that I am happy to do a video interview prior and then a week or so before the sit to go through the house manual, any changes, the plans closer to the day etc, we go to quite alot of sits where the Owners are not there when we arrive and we leave before they get home, good clear information and instructions and dialogue with your sitter prior ensures a smooth sit for the sitter and a stress free holiday for yourself.
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Thank you for your reply!
I can see the reviews are more positive but obviously it’s scary when you start to look and come across bad experience!
But thank you for reassuring me!
Grateful for your response 
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Christine, I agree this is terrifying! I am a sitter, and every time I start to read the forum I get freaked out. I have only done 2 domestic sits (US) and have had 2 that have been confirmed for UK since last summer, and I am in ‘regular’ contact with each (every few weeks), but with the shenanigans of irresponsible people in both directions, I am terrified all around. Maybe it was a mistake to join? God, I hope not.
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Thank you for the reply! It’s great to have the confidence that it is definitely safe and worth it
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Welcome @FernandaGSmith
Please don’t let this very unusual experience put you off joining THS.
There are lots of great reliable house sitters looking for cat sits in London .
When choosing a sitter , rather than someone who has just joined the platform and has no reviews you can select one with lots of 
5 star reviews from their previous house sits . Before deciding on a sitter you can read the comments from previous homeowners they have sat for.
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Thank you very much! Are you a sitter? Or a customer?
I definitely will check and follow your advice!
Someone has mentioned that THS has changed so I want to make sure I find someone I can trust with my 2 friendly cats and to stay in my house.
OMG - sorry to hear you went through all this.
Reading your comments - you think THS has changed?
But you think still reliable? Are you a sitter or a customer?
I want to make sure if I am joining it’s secured to have a holiday stress free and making sure my cats are well looked after and also I can trust the person at my house!
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There are sitters and owners. No customers or clients @FernandaGSmith This is a barter system. Free pet and home care in return for free accommodation and bills. A win win for people who trust each other. We are sitters (& home owners), who are 27 months into full time sitting across 17 countries on 31 sits for more than 100 animals and no-one has let us down so far. #yourwordisyourbond Choose someone with a track record, great reviews and talk to them before you commit. There are a lot of seriously good people in this community….
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Thank you so much! And for educating me as well. Everything is new to me hence why I joined this forum 
and I’m very pleased with the responses.
I will definitely join in after all the great comments as I feel more reassured 
thank you 
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We are just sitters, however have been on other sites, paid, free etc, we are only with THS. THS is still by far better, If I were an Owner, I would always do a video chat with prospective sitters I was seriously considering after I had read their profile, reviews and feedback, you can get a good feel for if you think they are going to be a good fit. Be very clear, non smoking, no other pets, no guests unless pre arranged, or no guests, if you want someone who works from home, a family, a couple etc. I would want a family, because are a family and it’s what the pets are used to, so I wouldn’t want them being more stressed by who is the strange person in my home? where is everyone? the same if they are used to a quiet, calm environment the you don’t want a young family running around the house, it’s going to stress them out, if you work from home, you really want a work from home sitter, it’s less stress on your Cats if you keep it as stable as you can, they are calm and happy. You also want to make sure they are Cat people, not just looking for a good spot to sleep and go sight seeing everyday. However if you are out at work 5 days a week then the Cats would be used to it, though I would want my sitters be there a bit more than that as the Cats will be aware you are away, as soon as they see that suitcase they are aware and you want them to get fussed over while you are away.
There should be no reason why any good sitter can’t spare 15mins for a video chat at an agreed time and date, if they can’t they are not for you. You have be comfortable with you is looking after your beloved Cats while you are away and your home. There are great sitters on the site and some that are newer who don’t quite understand the spirit of THS.
Wishing you all the best, I am sure you will find fab sitters and have a lovely Holiday and come home to happy Kitties.
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Hi Fernanda, I’ve never had any problem as an owner but I don’t usually get large numbers of applications from very experienced sitters as we are in a nice but not terribly exciting area. You,on the other hand, are offering a cat sit in a high demand area so you should hopefully get lots of applications and have a really good choice.
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@FernandaGSmith hello and welcome.
The network just got more reliable as the reviews are blind…I would say as of mid- November '23.
The key is to be concise but explicit in either a HO or THsitter profile (we are both).
Don’t hesitate to ask questions and discuss deal breakers for you.
And don’t hesitate to be in touch during the stay.
And discuss the review at the initial call. Its not a secret. Its not taboo. Talk about it and any reviews you read on a profile.
COMMUNICATION is key!
Good luck.
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Thank you much appreciate! The responses I’m getting gave me confidence and I will start my membership and search soon!
Thank you! Great to hear your feedback!
It is reassuring that I can trust THS and I am grateful for the response
Thank you so much for the tips! Much appreciated!
These tips helps me a lot! I definitely need to understand what to consider and good points here. Our cat are pretty chill and so friendly and don’t mind kids but they don’t have kids in the house very often.
Non smoke. Visitors etc… all good things to consider. Thank you so much!
I am definitely going to start to check out this weekend. Anymore tips are welcome
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Ah also being London, you don’t want to put your address or anything like that, however if you are In Richmond for example pop that in your listing, it will help with sitters who apply to be sure that it works for them and you as you don’t want to end up with someone who works in say Enfield and they are having to travel to other side of of London, then your Cats are going to be home longer on their own and you don’t want that. You can list the closest Underground/overground stations and Bus routes, this will help (fingers crossed) weed out sitters who are not suitable. I hope this makes sense.
Let me know when you have listed, we might apply to come sit for you one day.
x
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Thank you and glad to know that you would be interested!
I’m pleased with the tips and positive messages!
We always had our neighbour looking after them but unfortunately she moved out and our friend also have lost his wife and they used to stay here but I think now it’s more difficult for him because our house and the cats brings too much memories for him and he would be sad here without her. The cats love them all! They are easy going cats which helps to look after! Thank you so much again for the tips and reassurance X
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