I’m currently looking for a pet sitter for a four day trip that is coming up in one and a half weeks. I have had two pet sitters apply and message with me and set up a phone call. Neither one called me at the scheduled time. One of them withdrew the application two minutes after the scheduled call time, without messaging me to explain why. The other sitter did not call me at the scheduled time, has not withdrawn her application, and has not responded to any of the three or four messages that I have left her since the scheduled call day. That was about five days ago. I feel like these Pet sitter’s should have a strike made against them; For instance, Ishould be able to write a poor review about them for everyone to see. However, it does not look like there is a way for me To write them a review unless they actually sit for me. Is there a way for me to notify TrustedHousesitters corporate about this? This is the third or fourth time this has happened to me in the past year. It’s very frustrating.
Hi @hammebo,
Do those sitters have reviews?
Any red flag in their initial message?
You are right reviews can only be left after a sit is arranged, not before.
It happens the same with pet parents, it’s not an exclusive sitters’ behaviour I can tell.
Both parties have every right to back out at any time for any reason until the sit is confirmed.
Sitters are encouraged to apply for several sits and adviced to not hang around and wait for a host as it might end up in nothing.
Talking to several sitters is for some a red flag to back out. Or maybe another host offered a sit they preferred.
Well, you can’t really request these sitters have a strike against them as they hadn’t been confirmed as your sitters. If I were you I wouldn’t have bothered messaging the second one so many times, but just hoped the right sitter cropped up. As someone else mentions, home owners are also guilty of this type of behaviour which frustrates us reliable sitters.
I understand it’s frustrating, but it can happen on either side. You’re focusing your frustration on the sitters, but you’ve a trip coming up in 1.5 weeks time, and that is why you will be even more frustrated, and all this happened just 5 days ago.
I know it is sometimes difficult, but it will help you greatly if there a way you could organise things ahead of time when you next go away, because then you will have a much wider choice of the type of sitters you get applying, rather than those that just happen to available last minute, because good sitters get booked up fast. Even just 2 months ahead of time would help you hugely.
Hi @Skylos , Both of them had multiple reviews. The one who ghosted me and then withdrew her application had one poor review a couple of years ago. The reason she wanted to sit for me is that she plans on being in my area to scuba dive. I hope I recognize her someday at the bridge where we dive, because she’s going to get a piece of my mind! The other one had all five star reviews.
Thanks for your response @hammebo.
Well, just like you, they’ll have their reasons for cutting off communication. I agree with you that it’s rude to disappear after starting a conversation. But it’s also true that they have the right to do so, unfortunately. These are the rules of the game at THS.
When the same thing happens to me as to you, I send a respectful message, asking if they didn’t like anything in particular upon first contact and if there’s any feedback, with the goal of improving personally for future HOs, or if they simply hired other sitters for personal reasons or preference. I’ll take note of this; 75% come back to me, the rest never does 
Regarding that particular sitter, I suggest letting them go and using that energy to find a better one to provide excellent care for your pets and home. If that person ghosted you, it’s better that they aren’t the one who takes care of your loved ones, isn’t it?
One less problem to consider, I guess.
That sounds awful and so close to your sit date.
I agree with other people here, concentrate on getting a new sitter, rather than focus on two sitters, who now have changed their mind about sitting for you, whatever their reasons.
I suppose if the sitter’s membership came up and they didn’t renew they’d not be able to reply. But they had your mobile number so a message would be nice with a polite apology.
@hammebo, clearly this is frustrating for you. There are plenty of THS Forum threads by housesitters frustrated by no communication by Pet Parents. The advice seems the same - move forwards.
Given recent experience and near-term dates, it may be a great catalyst to re-assess your listing. Are the photos appealing? Could an applicant credibly have concerns? (Location, pets, responsibilities, expectations). Can the listing be more informative? (Local attractions, transit connections) is the information on pets/responsibilities clear and responsible? (Pet info, exercise needs, pet sleeping, duration pet absence).
If unsure, suggest add your THS listing url to your THS Forum profile and seek insight from THS Forum members.
Housesitting is voluntary. It requires a fair and reasonable trade. Lack of confirmed housesitter may suggest that prospective applicants have, for some reason, deemed it to be unattractive.
Of course they have a right to back out. But ghosting someone once you’ve expressed interest is just bad manners. How long does it take just to send a one-line message, politely explaining that you’ve accepted another sit?
I have at present two applications the hosts have invited to apply for - 4+ months and just crickets. I agree that it is unpolite. I chose to see it as a win. Found out sooner than later that it is not a good match.
Something to consider is that emergencies do happen. I once became FURIOUS when a service provider ghosted me - I called her boss and gave that boss a huge piece of my mind. Only to discover that the service provider had had a burst aneurysm and was hospitalized in a coma.
If a level of review of pre-sit behavior is added to THS, it could cause all kinds of confusion and posturing. What all of us want to know is, Will the sitter do a good job once they HAVE the sit? And as a sitter, will the homeowner provide a clean, safe place to stay with a pet that won’t injure me?
As a sitter, I am sometimes in a hurry and see withdrawing an application quickly as an act of kindness so that the homeowner knows I can’t do it. 99% of the time I offer an explanation, but if I’m hopping on a plane and the doors are about to close, I might not have time to write an explanation. I get that you’re mad. But do people really want to read a back-and-forth between potential sitters and potential pet parents about “the sit that might have been”? I don’t. Maybe make a note of that particular sitter and don’t consider them for future sits, but then let it go.
The frustration is understandable, however it’ll be more beneficial to move forward to try and get other applicants.
Let them go in the lost sitters oblivion.
I think it is rude and unprofessional but you have to remember there are thousands of sitters here. All with different morals and standards and all from different generations as well. Some people are also not organized, could have forgot and then maybe embarrassed so ghosted you. No excuse though, bad behavior in my books. It’s done so now concentrate on finding someone good so you will have peace of mind and enjoy your trip.
Great insight.
I noticed now that it says in OP that the sitters didn’t call. For the benefit of the doubt they might well have waited for the host to call. I know I have wondered who was really supposed to call. I’m very used to videocalls and taking initiatives, I know many can feel uncomfortable doing so.
I feel there is an understandable frustration here. But
might reveal something that you mention, KittySitter, and the member had an issue, but either way it might come across as holding a grudge which could backfire.
After all it is a mutual exchange between fellow, paying members and all about a good match.
As frustrating as this can be, I would consider it a good thing that you had the opportunity to learn about their dependability and consideration before leaving your home and pets in their care
I am glad you mention the “who will call who” thing. I have learned to be very explicit in the communications of who will initiate the phone call: “I will call you on WhatsApp at 12:15 PST”, for example. Otherwise it gets awkward.
And it occurs to me that another reason to NOT have pre-sit reviews is, how crazy will that get? Will homeowners have to do a review of all five applicants and say, “Well he didn’t get the job but he was polite about it!” or “On the video call he had lots of clutter in the background” or - whatever. There is enough to do for aligning a sit without having to review how people behave in the application process if they were not selected. Or how the homeowner behaved if the sitter withdrew. Not getting selected is a sufficient review of your application process, on both sides.
It’s easy to tell who’s not in the dating world. 
We are so used to being ghosted it doesn’t affect us anymore. I’ve had 3 sitters ghost and just let it slide. People are very rude nowadays. Very sad state of reality, but don’t make yourself miserable just because others are rude. Learn to move on.
As a host, I would always feel responsible for making the call. People have anxiety about calling and being the one to call alleviates that for them.
Take a look at my house sit on TrustedHousesitters
Thank you for the suggestion, @GotYourBack !
Please let me know what you all think of my listing.