Hi @Itchyfeet @snowbird @Vanessa_A @Angela_L
We did write to @Itchyfeet directly from MS, but as they rightly pointed out, we need to share it directly here on the forum for other members … Here was my reply. I hope this helps.
''Thank you for your email and your comments on the Forum, and we take into account every suggestion from all our members.
I will attempt to answer them as best as I can here to your following concerns.
''I have concerns about the following :
Sitter: “Once on a sit, I will never arrive later or leave earlier than the agreed date and time.”
It has been mentioned on numerous threads that some sitters have arrived at a HO house which was indeed uninhabitable on arrival.
Other sitters on the Forum have added their opinions that they would not stay either.
What support would THS give to the sitter upon arrival, bearing in mind that the sitter would not have any photographic evidence of the house at that stage? The HO is unlikely to allow the sitter to take photographs.
I understand that the sitter would be at risk of having their membership suspended if they left.
Also, a sitter may have problems contacting MS services as evidenced in other threads.
What should a sitter do in these circumstances - you have stated in other threads that no sitter should have to accept these conditions.
Can the sitter refuse to carry out the sit without fear of having their membership suspended?
Does any sitter or HO have any experience of THS support in these circumstances?’
"As a member, you’ll know that everyone in our community has agreed to a code of conduct promising that listings are always truthful and that a clean environment is provided. So if this is not the case, we would investigate any matter impartially. If a sitter was unable to complete a sit due to it being uninhabitable and would need to see photographic evidence of any of the areas of concern. Also, you would need to let us know whether you visited the home or video called the owner before the sit?
In the meantime, we would recommend you contact the owner as soon as possible. They may be able to offer a quick solution and get your sitting experience back on track. For example, they may be able to send a cleaner/service around immediately to help.
If a sit is completely uninhabitable or unsafe, then we of course would never wish any member to be in this situation and would want to investigate further.
However, if you ultimately decide that you’re unable to stay on the sit, please don’t leave until alternative pet care arrangements have been made. This we take very seriously. While we don’t want any of our members to stay in a situation that makes them uncomfortable, the safety of pets must always take priority.
Talking to the owner will hopefully resolve the issue so best to try and work together on this. We would ask that the sitter not leave the property without speaking and addressing any concerns with the owner first.
We are now operating on a nearly full membership services team so we are working at responding very quickly to members in the future.’’