I’ve had three very good sitters from THS in the last few months. I’d happily have any of them again. They’re all UK/London based. If I were to ask one of these past sitters to look after my cats in Portugal for a week or two later this year, would it be appropriate for me to pay for their flights/other travel costs as part of the “deal”?
I guess I could just find a local sitter too of course, but there’s something to be said for a familiar face (for me and for the cats), and flights to Portugal aren’t usually expensive.
Thank you.
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@bigalxyz
Yes - hosts can offer this - sitters can’t ask for any payment or travel expenses but hosts can offer .
I’m sure your sitters will be delighted with this offer if they are available.
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@bigalxyz, we support comments from @Silversitters.
Under TrustedHouseSitters terms, housesitters are prohibited from requiring compensation. But there’s nothing to stop pet parents voluntarily offering to pay expenses, leave gift or otherwise seeking to attract - or show appreciation for a - sitter.
As indeed are other non-compensation matters such as pet parent offering that a housesitter can arrive a day or more before sit; leave a day or more after sit; have use of pet parent vehicle; more recently pet parent offering to pay any THS housesitting booking fees; probably more. All fair game.
As experienced international sitters, including multiple in Portugal, then we have not been offered reimbursement of travel expenses. But three pet parents have voluntarily given us cash or gifts of similar value to dog boarding fees (thank you!), and many have provided gifts at outset of sit. And we have left gifts, some token some moreso, for pet parents at end of sit.
Ultimately the objective is securing a great fit of pet parent, housesitter and pet(s) so that the pet parent can enjoy stress-free trip; housesitter enjoy experience; and pet receive great care.
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What a lovely offer. I hope they can sit for you
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Yes, you can offer to buy tickets.
Another possibility, if the hosts have frequent flier rewards, you might be able to use those to get tickets for sitters.
For instance, this is what some hosts have offered me to repeat sit: They ask whether I’ll be available on X dates. If I am, they ask me to check X airline where they have rewards points and I tell them which flight times and dates I want. Then they “buy” the tickets with their airline rewards account and send me the confirmation.
Note: If you do buy tickets for someone else, check their legal name first, because some folks go by another name or nickname vs. what they have on passports or other identification.
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Alternatively you could just list it as a sit in Portugal and start building a pool of sitters there. Not nearly as many sits available in Portugal as the UK.
Sure, I’m sure the sitters would love it. But I think @Cathie made a good suggestion of at least trying to list it first. But I recall you’re moving and in the process of selling your flat, and the kitties would be adjusting to Portugal as well. So a familiar face is not a bad idea at all.
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