On the 28th September, I received an application to house and cat sit for me.
The following day I replied and suggested we had a video call.
The number she sent was strange and when trying it on Google it belonged to a company that writes in a foreign language.
I wrote and said I was having difficulty finding the number and sent her my WhatsApp number
Since then I’ve heard nothing
I then received an application on the 1st of October.
The following day I received this from the 2nd applicant.
“I need to withdraw from the process. Something came up with my family last night so I need to take time out to support them.”
My sit starts tomorrow!
It seems it was a week only from the first applicant to the start of the sit.
As most of us use THS to travel. I would advice to publish dates weeks (and months) ahead of sit. With only a week I would think you really need to have a plan B in place ready to go. A short notice sit would often only be interesting for someone close by, which really narrows down the possibilities.
Thank you for your reply
I’ve got neighbours and family who can step in but they can’t stay.
4 cats who don’t get on is a bit of a challenge!
Nico chases and harasses the others, if someone is there he can be watched for this behaviour.
With my garden now secure, I feel that although the cat flap won’t be locked, the cats will be fine and no stranger will get in.
It’s great you’ve got a backup plan. Your title says 2 applicants, 2 withdrawals as though that’s potentially the problem, but as I see it is that you’ve left it a little late to find someone. As @Garfield says, the earlier you can post your dates the better.
Just in case you don’t know, a lot of sitters book about 3 months ahead of time, but we’ve got about 16 weeks worth booked in already for 2026, and then we’ll typically leave most of our other dates free until about 4 months beforehand.
The scenario with the first applicant is a little odd, but with the second applicant it sounds like they’ve applied and then had some bad news, so good on them for withdrawing straight away.
If you find this sort of thing happens again, and let’s say your sit is a week or two away, create a post on here, but attach your main THS profile to your forum profile, because you never know there may have been someone on the forum who just happened to be free, but not when it starts tomorrow.
@Sheila7 The first scenario sounds a little odd. The second is perfectly acceptable, since the sit hadn’t been confirmed
Some pet parents seem to think an application is an offer to sit, but it’s not so. Applications are simply initial contacts, for sitters to find out more and to organise further communications if the fit feels right.
It’s a shame you haven’t found a sitter this time. Going forwards, if your listing isn’t successful you can post a link on here and experienced sitters will be happy to offer helpful suggestions and advice.
I have had the same experience as this HO - sits confirmed, then cancelled for various reasons. I understand emergencies and I always have a backup plan.
Many have mentioned to post her sit on the forum, but I don’t see how. I am in the same situation as this HO and would like to find a sitter for an Oct 26 sit. Can some please help?
Hi @mowolf - you can’t post a sit on the forum until it’s 7 days or less until it starts so 19th Oct for you. Have you asked for feedback on your listing on here from experienced members or have you tried pausing it and re-listing it so it goes to the top of the pile as new again? Both are worth a shot. The OP here didn’t have her sitters confirmed, she hadn’t reached that point. #sharethelistingifyoulike
@Sheila7, you’ve already received some super comments from THS Forum members. May we suggest that you consider adding your THS listing to your THS Forum profile (see link below) and that you ask THS Forum members for feedback. It appears that there are some learnings here but perhaps there are some refinements to your listing that may help it to attract future applicants & confirmed housesitters.
Thank you for your reply.
Sorry for the late reply but I only got back on Friday.
I had a wonderful holiday in the village I used to live in.
I had an opportunity to see cats and kittens that are helped by the local charity.
I can’t be without cats for long!
Thanks for your reply.
I will certainly do as you suggest but first I want to change a few things in my listing.
This will be a priority so that I’m well-prepared for my next holiday!