It seems like some homeowners don’t read the THS guidelines and rules before advertising for a house sitter?
That is an alarm bell for me.
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Yeah, thanks but no thanks.
While it may be alright for some, I wouldn’t accept a house sit like that even if I was single or didn’t bring my family along.
I would want a balance. Obviously, the main intention for me is the proper care and affection offered to the pet/s. I would want some time to go for a walk with or without the pet/s, get groceries, do some sight seeing for a few hours (nothing too long) and have time to clean, leave the place respectful.
Some people get paid to do days like that in the agricultural industry.
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I agree.
Cats are definitely therapeutic and the amount of times I have found relief with my own cat ( who treats me like a slave) after a forgettable day at work, I would probably say that someone would find this house sit beneficial.
While I definitely don’t have the opportunity to just lounge around and sit with cats (trust me, I’d love to!)hopefully whoever applies for this gig will benefit.
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I think there is a line. I am used to doing house sits whereby I am with the animals most of the time, apart from going out for groceries and exploring the local area. However, I have read the occasional ad that suggests sitters will be put on house arrest, spending every moment with the animals and sleeping in the same bed. I personally feel boundaries are incredibly important, and this kind of sit wouldn’t suit me, as therapeutic as cats can be. I don’t personally feel it is good for the animals either, as it encourages separation anxiety, should they ever be left alone.
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I wouldn’t want to be on house arrest.
I think the amount of lockdowns I had to endure during the pandemic was enough for me.
That sort of house sit would not suit me now. I don’t sit down very often except when relaxing and heading towards bed time!
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Your day starts at 6.30am and finishes at 9.30pm and you appear to have an hour free time in that whole period, mid morning.
Pretty intensive schedule
If that’s the daily routine, how on earth do the owners manage to have any sort of life? Do they never want to go out for dinner? Clothes shopping? To work?!
It’s almost as if they’re expecting you to do more than they do on a daily basis… but surely that can’t be right.
As a sitter, I see that there are always people who are exceptionally keen to make sure that they wring every possible benefit from offering their ‘free’ accommodation. I’ve seen listings where - in addition to having multiple pets cared for - the HOs also expected several hours of garden work to be done, every single day. It’s always good to have agreed expectations, but for me, there are red flags all over the place with listings like these. 
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I would love to know how the sitter finds time to clean and tidy up before vacating?
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My goodness! Was it actually a house???
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Yes, a house in rural Italy.
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We just completed a pet sit with 13 Shih Tzu’s in SW France. It was not easy or cheap to get there but it was an area we wanted to explore and I absolutely adore Shih Tzu’s. We had a 7 day gap between Alicante and Paris pet sits and the dates needed didn’t quite align with our schedule. I reached out asking if their dates were flexible which they were. I also told them we would only do a sit if they could provide a car. The owners had not been away for their pets for 2.5 years and I wanted to help them plus I wanted the challenge and experience of caring for so many pets. The fact they were all rescued and relocated from the states to France told me these were very loving and responsible pet owners.
The owners were gracious, the house was clean and did not smell and the dogs instantly stole our hearts. We will be returning in March. We have another pet sit that overlaps so my partner will finish the first one and me and my mother are going to start the 13. My mom will have her own bed and bathroom so it is a perfect sit for a family.
We could leave the dogs for up to 6 hours but didn’t like being away for more than 4. We took one or two dogs with us on outings because we love taking dogs with us when possible. My partner who wasn’t a huge Shih Tzu lover like me, has now been transformed. He can’t stop thinking about one in particular.
If anyone wants a unique, heart warming experience and loves lap dogs this is one that sounds crazy but was memorable. Perfect for anyone suffering from loss and grief.
They are trying to find pet sitters for early Dec. which is a tough time of year. I gave her suggestions on how to improve her post by inviting families etc…I am hoping this post may reach another couple who are up for this rewarding challenge.
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I would love to see what couch snuggles time with 13 looks like. But realistically, 13 Shih Tzus = 2 Great Danes in size, so I’m sure it’s possible. Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
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What a wonderful experience. Just shows, there’s something for everyone on the listings. And I like your take about them being rescued dogs from US therefore they must be very much loved. I’ve never thought of it that way. I may no longer balk at listings with rescue dogs now. Thank you for your inspiring post.
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@claudinekent I saw the listing! I did hope they would find someone. Great that you loved it. We minded 2 (just 2!) Shih Tzus in Dublin in August and same story: hubby wasn’t very impressed with them at the start, but they stole his heart very quickly…
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Several of them were very large Shih Tzu’s and needed help onto mattresses on the floor. One weighed about 35 lbs.
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Almost all of our pet sits are rescue dogs and we have only had one that was problematic. The rest have been sweet and entertaining. If they go to good homes with proper patience and training, they usually become wonderful pets who seem to know they were saved and are grateful.
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We had a very bad experience amongst our first sits. It has put as off for a long time.
I also did a sit with 7 horses that reqired feeding every night. And of course water checked and baths filled every night, not an easy task in itself as the hose was a joined one and not near the water source.
Then there was a German Shepherd who was in a cage in the dining room of the house after an ACL operation who had to be let out to toilet frequently.
Then rhere was 15 chooks to feed, water and collect eggs from various places. It was summer so garden watering as well.
All this i did on my own for two weeks!!
Since then i have looked after 2 horses for 6 weeks, one of which tried to attack me every time i put him back in his paddock, which was twice a day.
So some sits are more like jobs than others. But i have the option of not doing them again when asked back which has happened several times…
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@Annie I hope they gave you a really great review after all your efforts!! You certainly earned it!!
I would not take on a Sit which is so much work. TBH I think its rather an abuse of the system. The THS concept is one of mutual exchange. If hosts have complicated and time consuming needs they should get paid help. I can inderstand some sitters are up for a challenge and take on large menageries for the fun of it and the experience. We took a sit last year for exactly this reason. The family were very wealthy and their home was a gorgeous converted mill, on huge land, in a beautiful village. They had 2 dogs, about 20 ducks, 15 hens, a turkey and 2 Emus! Actually the emus were the selling point!
Our morning ritual was to feed the dogs, then (with doggy company) walk around two small lakes to feed the chickens and ducks, fill their water, collect all the eggs (masses!) Then visit the emus, feed them, & poo pick & tidy up their stable. All took about half an hour and was fun! Then a walk with the dogs, all this before breakfast (our choice as we’re late breakfasters!) This was also a fascinating house, visited by many celebrities, and with many travel artifacts all around.
A very interesting Sit indeed!
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