You don’t say anything in your post about it, @JMP_Loves_Paws , but would mention that many sitters (incl. myself) withdraw our application if we don’t get an answer quickly enough.
Terms of THS says that a member should answer within 72 hours, but many (incl me) withdraw after approx. 48 hours if we don’t get an answer. I don’t know if that has something to do with your withdrawals though.
Sitters also are encouraged to apply to several sits at a time (as many hosts keep sitters waiting it is the smart thing to do) and of course there could be other factors, in the sitters life, sitters have made their own vetting of location/ host/ transportation or :other: .
It is disheartening to be declined for both sitters and hosts for sure. Don’t know if you have done it before, but it is possible to add the link to your listing in your forum profile and start a topic to get help here on forum to maximize your listing.