Sitters Unite!

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

OK, that is a bit dramatic and exaggerated.

I am truly shocked that there are no standards for sitters to meet in fulfilling our sits.

There is a thread about cleaning by sitters. The fact that the question is even raised indicates a need for a clearly established standard, in writing. If THS won’t take the lead on this and the myriad of other issues that pop up weekly, should we as sitters pick up the baton? Emergencies, tough dogs, inappropriate requests, how to interview, helpline, etc.

Secondly, there is a thread going on at present about an owner who is/was harassing the sitter. Like any form of serious harassment, we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. What if that owner contracts with another sitter and that sitter is assaulted? There should be a good procedural guide for sitters that deals with how to avoid the problem, what to do when the problem arises, etc. Knowing this should be a prerequisite for all sitters.

I am terrified at the risks unwittingly taken by all the sons and daughters who take all the advantages that sitting provides without adequate education or training. Is this our responsibility, as sitters, to correct?

I ask why I had been rejected on a sit. I was saddened when an owner wrote to tell me that a male sitter had left their place a mess and so they would never again contract with a male. I suggest that because there are no clearly circumscribed rules for sitters (i.e. cleaning, etc.) that sitter did not know exactly what was required.

Similarly, the lack of clearly circumscribed procedures for harassment, including barring the offender, is putting sitters in danger.

This is a rant, but a rant with a purpose. There needs to be more to this business model than flying by the seat of our pants in a sink or swim environment.

Standards and procedures are necessary.

2

All of this is not the responsibility of THS. It is a matching site only. A host can reject any sitter for any reason they want. Some don’t want old, some don’t want young, etc. Move on to another host.

3

You’re right. There are a few bad experiences on both sides but they don’t represent the vast majority of situations. Both hosts and sitters have to do their homework; only adults ( people above 21) can sign up with THS.

4

No sitter is rejected, their application is declined. You can choose to be upset.

I think you’re greatly exaggerating the so called threat to sitters. I don’t believe their is an iceberg and we’re only seeing the tip. The incidents that occur and are brought to light in the THS forum are extremely rare.

“I am terrified at the risks unwittingly taken by all the sons and daughters who take all the advantages that sitting provides without adequate education or training. Is this our responsibility, as sitters, to correct?” What are you on about? What education or training?

I think you may have consumed something that’s fuelled your rant, either that or you’re a lawyer I don’t need either standards or procedures and I don’t regard them as necessary. THS has grown because most hosts are decent and most sitters do a pretty good job.

5

Sorry. But utter tosh. We all (hosts…or as some insist on saying “pet parents” Ugh) and sitters take a risk. And those need to be informed ones (in so far as is possible). THS is a platform that enables us to match (or not). And, as we’re all adults, we’re allowed to have our own preferences - as hosts or sitters

6

People are different. Personalities, cleanliness preferences, cultures, upbringings, experiences in life, pet preferences. That is all…

As for the stories that come to the forum or the unofficial THS FB page, like anything, when people want to get advice, vent, complain - the story comes to light. As mentioned here already, the vast majority of sits go well on both ends. Also, some people arent suited for this type of membership site - if one doesn’t have good intuition on people, places and things then this may not be the membership for you.

7

Methinks you completely misunderstand the purpose of the platform and/or you are trolling.

8

Too much wine maybe?

9

Or not enough?

10

Maybe forming a trade union may help? :face_savoring_food: Good luck with that. Alas we are customers. No individual or collective power. With zero credible alternate platforms. THS holds all the cards.

Try telling Facebook that you’d like fewer adverts or less privacy violations, or telling any airline that they should serve better food or start a new route. Suspect same outcome.

Seems bountiful examples of sensible suggestions on Forum - that THS does not read.

Best outcome seems to be email support@trustedhousesitters.com with feedback & ideas. Maybe they’ll read, research & execute. Maybe.

11

For the most part, you see how this (THS) works.

While your wants, discontent, wishes for standards and procedure, etc. are seen, they do not exist in this platform as you note.

This is the leopard and the spots aren’t going to change ESPECIALLY given the recent pe takeover.

We are all adults (I hope) here and we make sitter & sit choices based upon our personal needs, standards, and comfort.

Oh, and that “picking up the baton” to which you refer ? It is called, writing an HONEST REVIEW every sit, every sitter, every homeowner…every THS participant on the ground.

12

Personally, I don’t need hand-holding and don’t enjoy hand-holding others. Many people can figure things out, and if not, there’s the forum, membership services, their personal networks, etc. They can learn as they go.

Life is full of risks. Sitting can go sideways, so it’s best done by folks who can problem-solve and deal. If things get criminally hairy, call the cops.

Some people aren’t suited to sitting. Like if they’re iffy at problem-solving, can’t do self-care, are weak at boundary-setting and saying, “no,” they’re much more likely to end up taken advantage of or run into other sorts of trouble. But that’s in life, not just sitting, and no one is responsible for hand-holding anyone, especially not a matching platform like THS. If you want to volunteer such services, you can of course do that individually.

13

Very wise words!

14

We are all somebody’s children but we are all adults now; the minimum age for signing up is 21. No need to be terrified, just apply common sense.
Although it’s true that there are some risks, this applies to both sitters and hosts and there are quite a few precautions that can minimize risks. It’s up to every member to decide what their level of comfort is and act accordingly.

As for the

There’s a huge difference between what different people consider acceptable. Reading the listings, reviews and having a close look at pictures helps a lot but even if that doesn’t work, sitters are allowed to leave giving the hosts advance notice so that they can make alternative arrangements for the care of their pets. In fact, this is one of the “risks” that can be avoided by sitters while there isn’t much a host can do if they come back to a filthy house, beyond writing an honest review or raising a member dispute.

15

What she said …

16

quiz fact for you all.

LEOPARDS don’t actually have spots, so cannot change them. Leopards have Rosettes. Cheetahs on the other hand, DO have spots.

leopard_rosettes
leopard_rosettes350×193 44.2 KB

17

Love this ! And I offer you in excahnge , the collective term for leopards: a prowl. And for cheetahs : a coalition .

18

Like everything we do in life, there’s always a risk. Approaching a challenge/issue wisely, cautiously, and/or logically will help make an informed decision, but still no guarantees.

Anyways, it’s when stuff goes wrong or something crazy happens, are what make the best stories. Well, as long as they’re happy/uneventful endings.

19

I think you’ve missed the main point of this post, respectfully.