Hi - A few years ago my sitter became ill and had to leave the sit. I was very far away (we’re talking different hemispheres). I found a great sitter on short notice. She communicated with the sitter who was leaving, and with me, very well, and we arrived home to an orderly house and happy cats. Don’t panic - there is someone out there for you, who will love your house and be understanding about your dog’s needs.
My previous sits were for 5.5 months & 3.5 months while we travelled to the UK & Europe sitting and holidaying. It didn’t matter if the applicant sitters had done long term sits before. What mattered was how they explained in their applications why they wanted to do such long term sits. They were very clear about why they were best suited, which made the decision easy.
Yes. I’ve had long-term sitters before. This person explained that she was working on her own online business and that having the space and time to focus on building her work was exactly what she needed. It was ideal-- it’s the exact reason I like living where I do, because I can focus without distractions. In my mind it was ideal!
She also told me that she HAD done rural sits before, and apparently much more remote than mine-- I’m 5 minutes from town and have neighbours.
Thank you thank you this is exactly what I needed to hear.
Yes to all of this. We’ve decided on a 2 week transfer period while I actively look for someone to step in. Ideally someone who can do the whole time so that Eliza doesn’t have to deal with too much change.
Thank you this is helpful- I’ll add this!
So sorry to read that this is happening to you! I wish you all the luck in finding a good replacement sitter that will love on your dog and stay for the agreed upon time commitment! You are taking this way better than I would!
We perceive a broad learning from this tragic experience … create a Plan B … for both pet parents and housesitters … especially on housesits that are long duration or distant dates (greater risk).
Last year, two Pet Parents cancelled international sits on the actual start date when we were in-country. Each had their reason. But not great for us. Stuff happens in life and emergencies do occur. For both pet parents and housesitters. A backup plan, even a rough and ready one, is probably never a bad idea.
That is unacceptable behaviour on the sitters part. Why even take the sit?
I hope you can find a replacement. Sounds like a perfect sit!
In my honesty opinion. Contact THS Support team. Don’t forget THS will pay $q50 a day to either put your pers into care or find another sitter for you.
No they really won’t do that….#confuseddotcom
Please cite the source of your belief that that will happen. AFAIK, that’s not true.
I would contact THS asap. The sitter cannot leave until you can find a replacement. THS will release both of you from the sit, so you can find another sitter. Also taking your dog somewhere without your permission is not ok.
Hi everyone-- an update!
I contacted THS and they ended the sit early, at first so that I could try and find another sitter, though I realised that on such short notice I’d be hard-pressed to find someone able to drop everything for 3 months. And people who are experienced sitters who’d be more likely to want to do this sit are usually booked up well in advance.
The sitter took my dog to an apartment 2 hours away and stayed there with her until I found a replacement. I asked a friend to move in. I didn’t feel like I could trust another stranger with this on such short notice.
My friend moved in a few days ago, and my dog has been attached to his side constantly since he got there. She loves him so much already and I think she probably thinks he SAVED her.
I have another friend who’s able to move in with her in a month, until I get back. This has called in all my favours. I’m going to have to find a different solution for when I come back for 3 months again next year.
I waited till my dog was back home then left her a 1 star review. I hope that nobody else is fooled into this kind of situation again-- it was unbelievably stressful. I hope she stops house sitting, as it’s obviously not for her.
Thank you for all your feedback and support with this.
So happy it worked out. Best of luck going forward!
A 1 star review is extremely punitive. 1 star in reliability and/or self suffiency maybe. 1 star overall will likely reflect negatively on you more than the sitter.
THS. State that if someone wants to leave before the full sit is completed they will help to find last minute sitter or pay $150 per day to cover putting animals into kennels. Well, thats my understanding.
Why not? It states in their TnC’s
They don’t find you another sitter. They cancel the sit so YOU can look for another sitter. No one reaches out to find a replacement Ts & Cs or otherwise. #codswallop
If i could give her a no star i would, wanting to leave after 1 week of 3 months is terrible, and any dog would be stressed taken to a new environment. Thats why we have sitters, to let them stay at home in a safe havern.