Have you gone onto the site to look for someone suitable, reading their profiles?
We have been Housesitting with TH for years and we get messages asking if we are available.
Kelly gave some great recommendations of questions to ask before setting up a video chat.
Another thing is the lead time, we book months in advance and with repeats and referrals we are now booked into the middle of 2024-we do this pretty much full time.
I always look in the descriptions about location, if a car is needed (or available) and if public transportation is available before I even consider applying.
I look at what is expected and required to look after the animals, our 1st priority is always the animals. If we are traveling to a new place and want to explore yet limited with the care of pets, we schedule time before or after along with an Airbnb.
Just a few comments from someone who loves the honour of caring for your home and pets.
I stay in homes more than most people, since I telecommute f/t and only accept sits while I do that — when I want a vacation, I pay my own way without obligations. That’s privilege, which I don’t take for granted.
Something that’s worth calling out, though: Not everyone is privileged and some sitters do it because it’s how they can afford to travel. That doesn’t mean that they’d necessarily take sitting responsibilities lightly. To assume that is unfair. I’d suggest interviewing people and using judgment about individuals, rather than broad brushing, which can easily lead to discrimination or classism.
And let’s get real: If any of us only wanted to watch animals, there’d be no need to travel to do that. All of us could stay put and do that in our backyards or at home, or volunteer at a shelter.
I definitely put it down to the THS being promoted by influencers or travel bloggers in news articles more than ever before. Lots of new sign ups (which is what THS wants) but the quality of sitters and owners is going down.
@travellingnomad I hear you but please don’t lump all bloggers into the same bucket. We have housesitting resources on our website and promote it on our socials. But we stress the responsibilities required on the part of both parties and try and the resources are aimed at helping people be more successful sitters and home owners.
I would agree. THS has been promoted by travel bloggers for years.
I will say, however, that the landscape of travel blogging has deteriorated - this is not to say that there are not good/conscientious travel bloggers out there, but the market is oversaturated and fewer and fewer blogs promote travel resources in an authentic way (couchsurfing also encountered this problem). Or at least many of the blogs that are easiest to find are better at managing SEO than responsible travel.
Absolutely. I don’t see sits as a “vacation,” as they require me to fulfill 24/7 requirements, plus I’m still remotely working at my job. When I want a vacation (which still includes working, unfortunately) with no outside responsibilities/obligations, I pay for a hotel.
One of my sits gave me much greater appreciation for what a stay-at-home parent with two toddlers has to deal with, LOL. I’m never sitting a puppy again, much less a puppy along with another pet, while I telecommute.
They were sweet critters, and the HOs and home were lovely, but it was super relaxing AFTER that sit, LOL.
Combine the 5 applicant rule with social media advertising for free vacations and you get the result you hoped for – more revenue through more paid subscribers.
Expect THS management will shortly see that the “free” vacationers will disappear once their first year runs out. Factor in the long timers (sitters and homeowners) that departed because of the 5 applicant rule, and the next subscriber pool may be fewer than before.
I had no idea about the 5 applicant rule. As a sitter we like to book quite a long time ahead as we fit in our holidays at other times. I look for very specific info from home owners. Eg I need a shower not a bath. I like to know things like on or off lead, eating schedule, walk duration and so on. I like to keep the same routine for the pet as it has with its owners.
Hi All … just a reminder that we’re all in this space together to create a welcoming environment for both existing and potential members of TrustedHousesitters.
We need to treat each other with respect. Healthy debate is encouraged however kindness and respectful narrative is required. Thank you for your help.
Your theory is sound @Terry but there will always be an upcoming generation of the “free vacationers” that you refer to, so the scenario is perpetuated.
I suppose the eventual end of that is that all your “long timers” disappear and THS evolves into a completely different beast.
Moderators in this instance @anon47943759. I wrote an apology for my previous post but apparently the apology was also removable. Some days I should just never get out of bed.
Totally agree, the dysfunctional 5 applicant policy both invents sitters to apply willy nilly before they have actually researched and considered sit suitability just to keep a foot in the door, and also limits home owners to examining the first five not the best five.
I agree! the five applicant rule is a disastrous policy, it invents applicants to apply without having time to fully read and consider the details of the sit!
Exactly why this is happening. I have had the same situation but I passed them by quickly and moved to more and more and more…and eventually I found the perfect sitter. In the good old days I would get 40 or 50 applicants and would pause the sit, review them all and contact only the ones that were a fit and slim that down after communicating via text. The last couple were videos and it always worked. Now its harder.
But THS should give that information, for example by saying in the grey text that now says “tell the why you are perfect for this” that there is no rush, just keep the browser window open, consider the sit carefully, check the reviews, look at airfares, compose a personalised application, etc, etc.
That also application number 6 or 7 etc will reach the HO.
Why would it be necessary to have up to 50 applicants for your sit. That just sounds like a complete waste of everyone’s time. I’m so glad it isn’t like that anymore sounds like such a slow and laborious process.
I agree that a HO should be able to find someone without needing 50 applicants. I don’t know what the magic number is but it sure as heck isn’t 5. 5 can be filled up in minutes making the whole process of applying simply a crap shoot. If you happen to be extremely lucky, you might be looking at your computer /phone at the exact minute a list is posted and get one of the slots. Like trying to get tickets for Taylor Swift concert.
Some days I should just never get out of bed.