I’m struggling and could use any advice anyone has to offer
I need a sitter in just over two weeks’ time for a six week sit. Seems unlikely? Seems like I’ve left it too late?
Well, I started looking a while ago and had several applications. Chose one and confirmed the sit. She pulled out. Started again. Chose another. Confirmed the sit. She pulled out. Started again. Chose another. Confirmed the sit. Can you guess where this is going?
My third confirmed sitter has just pulled out, leaving me with very little time to find a sitter or make other arrangements. I’m getting rather stressed!
To be clear, the sitters all pulled out for different reasons:
- She changed her mind.
- She remembered that she doesn’t sit in homes that don’t have a dishwasher.
- Work dates changed and the sit dates were no longer convenient.
I don’t know what I can do and I’m panicking that I’m not going to find a sitter. It will be the first time I’ve gone away since joining THS and not managed to get sitters.
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@MamaSarah You’ve veen very unlucky to get a string of flaky sitters and you should definitely report (at least) the first two to THS. Their reasons for pulling out are pathetic and absolutely no grounds for cancelling. Sits should only be cancelled for emergency reasons, and most especially if near the date. An agreed cancellation months ahead is slightly different as circumstances can change unexpectedly over a longer period. And zhe HO still gas time to relist.
I’m sorry you are having this stress.
Just to reassure you- last minute sits can get filled! We were in Malaysia during the winter and had a gap to fill between our Christmas sit in KL and our onward travels in March. We honestly didn’t feel inspired to do any big travelling during that time. We were therefore amazed and delighted when a 6 week sit -in another part of Malaysia- popped up- starting 10 days later and exactly filling our gap!! 2 cats, gorgeous pool & car included. We applied immediately and confirmed the sit the same day. It was truly Heaven sent!
And it was a lovely sit!
So you just never know who might be waiting in the wings for exactly your sit to appear!
Good luck- I do hope you find someone lovely 
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Thank you for your reassurance. I have everything crossed that someone out there is looking for 6 weeks in a lovely part of the U.K. and isn’t already committed elsewhere.
It’s the first time on THS that it’s come this close to me travelling and not having something organised so I’m finding it stressful. But hopefully it will all come right in the end.
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I would jump at this opportunity if I were available. I am sure you will get someone soon.
Good luck!
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Canceled because of a dishwasher. How crazy is that! As a solo traveler I wash the dishes by hand. I use the same three plates over and over. I am a sitter but I think the profile of a sitter should say how many times they confirmed and then canceled. I think a pet parent has the right to know if this happens often with a particular sitter. I would hate to be a PP and have tickets for out of the country and get a cancellation for some lame excuse. TH will lose PP and then lose sitters if homes are not available for sits.
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The first two sitters reason for canceling is crazy. Definitely report that because they aren’t supposed to cancel for reasons like that. I hope you find the right sitter and it goes well. Wishing you the best
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I’m sorry you’ve had this experience - it shouldn’t be like that.
The sit can surely still be filled as Lokstar says, but I must say a Malaysian sit pool & car incl. has a better chance than a UK one bedroom.
At this point I would get a plan B for the sit - a paid sitter or otherwise.
Since you get this string of flaky sitters, I took a look at your listing. Could it be that the listing do not attract the dependable sitters - the ones that can afford to be choosy?
I think THS tells you to say something about yourself in the Intro., which you’ve done. As a sitter, the host is no. 1 for a good sit, but in Intro I would like some compelling reason to continue reading your listing and not scroll on to the next. Why should I go to your location? Seems like easily accessible with public transport and well equipped for digital nomads which is great.
You give solutions to some issues which is great (for instance autofeeder in the morning). As a sitter I find it offputting if I’m woken up at night and also the cats fighting, but it is what it is - it is important to be transparent and you give solutions. Are the cats indoor only?
One thing I am unsure of is the flea-issue. Is this a past issue? Is it resolved? Or is it still ongoing? If it is an issue of the past and they now only get drops to prevent fleas I wouldn’t mention it, I think. Would love others to comment, though. Then it would I think only be to mention that they get drops at «times» which is to be administered «drops on skin in neck» or whatever method, as I suppose the sitter will do this during sit.
I would mention the actual size of the bed and what sort of mattress, as many sitters are very interested in sleep quality (what they prefer can differ 
). Don’t use terms as double, queen etc. as the meaning is different in different countries.
I would also mention how long the kitties can be left for outings.
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That’s very unusual. Were all three confirmed sits - the sitter had formally accepted after you confirmed?
You still have some time, you might find someone. Boost your listing so it shows as new, but you might need to work on a plan B. I hope you find a great sitter.
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I 100% agree with you. Also a solo traveller. When a homeowner starts to show me how the dishwasher works, I cut them off and tell them I don’t have one at home, and wont be using one here. Also, like you, I use same plates over and over.
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Could there be something in your Welcome Guide that is putting confirmed sitters off?
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@MamaSarah I’ve popped you a DM, we’re sitters from Durham with 38 x 5* reviews. We’ve never ever backed out of a sit… AND we already had your profile saved as one of our favourites 
, prior to you posting this.
While we’re not able to help you with your dates this time around, we’d love it if you would keep us in mind for the future, they look adorable, and we love longer sits. Our dates have just never matched up so far, so we’ve never been able to apply, nor reach out.
Our profile link is in the DM I’ve sent you.
As for the sitters that pulled out, you’ve had more than your fair share of flaky people, I can say that factually, because I know from the owners we sit for in the North, that things only go wrong very occasionally in our area.
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I just thought I’d try to inspire sitters that may not have realised where this sit is, just in case there’s anyone on here that can help.
The location is on the outskirts of York, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with medieval buildings, a viking past, river cruisers, and miles of riverside walks. The Shambles in York is one of THE most photographed streets of Olde Worlde England.
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@Garfield thanks for taking a look at my listing. I will look into making some edits.
The fleas are most definitely gone! The reason it was added is because someone in the forum suggested I needed to reassure sitters because I did mention it in a review of a sitter (who introduced the fleas from her previous, farm, sit). It can probably be removed now as this was some years ago.
I will also look at my first paragraph to highlight the key benefits, and make it more enticing, and add details about the bed. It does come with the most comfy mattress and I even provide a selection of different pillows so hopefully people can find one that suits them. That said, it is only a U.K. double so that’s sometimes too small for a couple to consider although I’ve never had negative feedback on that.
Fingers crossed I get someone but I’m working on plan B.
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@HappyDeb what a coincidence that you’ve already saved my listing. I must be doing something right!
With a bit of luck our dates will match up at some point in the future as I’d be delighted to have you apply.
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I think two cats in a one bedroom flat & daily litter box cleaning would put some potential sitters off, BUT you live in a fabulous area. It wouldn’t put me off but I can’t help you as am housesitting in Ireland until late July.
Have you any applicants yet? Annoyingly I can’t see as I get the messsge “you’re busy with another sit”!
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Good point. More than once I saw a welcome guide where the tone seemed different and there was an “also I would like you to…..”
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Just re the bed.. I’m a Brit and there’s no way both my partner and I could share a UK “double” bed. It has to be king-sized at least. So your sit is definitely one for a solo sitter.
That aside, you’ve been very unlucky. I’m aghast at the pathetic excuses those sitters gave for letting you down. Your felines look great, it’s clearly a comfy home and York is a fascinating historical city. If I were available on your dates, I’d be biting your hand off!
Good luck. i’m sure you’ll find a lovely sitter..
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@Wildcolonialgirl I hadn’t had the chance to send them the Welcome Guide yet so definitely nothing in that that would have put them off. I don’t think there are any surprises in the Welcome Guide anyway.
@fledermaus I’ve actually had two couples in the past so definitely some people are happy to get cosy in a UK double. Personally I like a UK double just for myself but it hasn’t bothered everyone. I guess as long as it’s clear, people can make their own decision.
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@Smiley should I make it clear that it’s not ‘daily litter box cleaning’ but just ‘daily scooping’? The litter box doesn’t need a full clean anything like that often so it’s not as onerous a task as it might appear.
