All reviews are blind when you write them @Karen65 - they changed the system a few months ago so it’s more like Airbnb. Both HO and sitter have to write their review within 14 days of the completion of the sit and they are then both published once both are on there OR the time limit runs out & one or none are complete. And then everyone can see it. #timingiseverything
An unexpected responsibility I have done is administering medicine to a dog in which the homeowner’s listing specifically stated “no medications needed”. The home host did mention that the dog had separation anxiety, but specifically stated “no medications” in her listing. During the video chat, I asked how long could the dog be left alone and she stated 6 hours. After I arrived at the homeowner’s home for a walk through, she showed me two medications that the dog needed for his separation anxiety. Depending on how long I would be gone is how she explained to administer the medications. She also pointed out items that had been destroyed (window blinds / toilet line) by the dog because according to her, he had “become lonesome.”
Well, one day I had only been gone 2 hours and had administered the medications accordingly prior to me leaving. When I returned to the house, it looked like a tornado had gone through it as the dog had broken and destroyed several items (including his winter jacket) and the sofa cushions were tossed. I immediately called the HO and her first statement was “the dog has done this before” and she asked a question of “Were the birds ok”? She gave no apology to me or asked how I was doing.
If you are wondering, no, there was no mention in the Welcome Guide of the dog needing medications.
I don’t mind adminstering medications; however, the HO should have given me a heads up prior to my arrival. Had I known up front that the dog had such a destructive behavior, I could have made an informed decision of whether or not to accept that sit.
Yes, all of this was reflected in my review.
Yes, I contacted THS; they did an investigation, and the HO did update her listing which now mentions the dog needs medications.
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I now have a dog that I need to give medication, unexpectedly. The owners had taken her to the vet on the day of my arrival because she seemed to have constipation (and had eaten duck bones two days before). They wanted to make sure before traveling and before leaving me with what potentially could have been a serious problem. Fortunately, the vet concluded that there was no problem (after £££).
But she was affected by sedation and by the examination. That is what the medicine is for. And I have now added this to my dog experience! With this dog, it was not too difficult.
Dog is perfectly fine, has been chasing hares in the fields this evening like crazy, and is now quietly sleeping. Very appropriate behaviour for different locations.
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Hi @sharondc I am sorry that you had to experience the dishonest and uncaring attitude of this HO. It is probably easy for me to say that we would have challenged the owner on this and asked them to find a backup asap as we would not be staying. However, we have transport and a place to go in the event of an unsatisfactory sit but appreciate this is not the case for everyone.
I am glad that you were able to leave a review and that action was taken by THS to have the listing changed.
I guess my initial query was more trying to understand what these ‘unexpected responsibilities’ were as I was imaging something wild like oh, while you are here I have a pile of logs need splitting or the spare bedroom needs painting. In other words tasks a million miles away from taking care of pets, plants, rubbish bins & mail etc.
I firmly believe that all things related to the core business of pet/house sitting should be clearly stated in the listing and/or disclosed in a video call. Anyone doing otherwise is simply being dishonest and should be called out as such. As you were able to leave a review I guess you stuck it out. I know we would be hard pressed to do the same as we only continue to do this as it gives us pleasure to do so. Should that cease to be the case then maybe we will just take up golf!
I hope this is the last dishonest owner you have to deal with and all future sits give you pleasure 
.
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Hi @Shannon
Absolutely, as sitters we rely on the transparency and honesty of homeowners as to the health / behaviors of their pets.
This happened on day 7 of a 9-day sit. As I only had 2 more days to go, yes, I stayed. All the other days went fine with the dog’s behavior, but on day 7, the dog was not happy with my leaving. And his unhappiness was strewn about the home.
I took a video and submitted photos of what happened to THS. Had I not, I don’t think the homeowner would have updated her listing for the dog needing medications which is a shame.
Although it was an upsetting experience, I take pride in knowing that the HO had to update her listing and that future sitters will be given a heads up of the dog’s behavior.
“I firmly believe that all things related to the core business of pet/house sitting should be clearly stated in the listing and/or disclosed in a video call.”
So true…And as others have mentioned, also in the Welcome Guide. Sitters don’t need to be blindsided by any ‘unexpected responsibilities’.
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@sharondc I agree 100%! It is very important for the PP to fully and honestly disclose all illness, medication, behavioral issues etc to ensure they select a sitter that has the skills, experience and knowledge to provide proper care. Purposely omitting this information could be detrimental for the pet if an emergency arise and the sitter is not equipped with the skills to resolve.
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I do this too @Maggie8K
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Fully agree with requesting/receiving WG in a timely fashion but wondering what do you do if you feel the need to cancel due to any of the above circumstances? I have the means to get a hotel room but that may not be the case for everyone. Last minute sits that satisfy one’s requirements aren’t always available.
(Moderator: please move to a diff topic as appropriate).
Personally, I wouldn’t sit if I couldn’t afford a backup plan. Some other sitters might sit anyways, in which case they’ll probably end up trapped in sits even if they turn out to be bad. That’s their choice.
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It is like turning back the clock reading your post. I have seen this exact thing happen before at least once to another sitter. I am not sure if it was on this forum or FB group, but it has happened.
This homeowner knows full well the responsibilities required and not sharing those in detail with you, with time constraints says it all. Third party visits seem to show anxious behaviour on her part? Not sure.
I would contact THS and discuss this with them.
Did the HO have previous reviews? If not, I believe they cancelled their old membership and started again.
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@Maggie8K @Liffy99
I state on my profile I usually spend 4-5 hours a weekday working remotely so will be around at least for this time a day. I have had HO’s choose me for this exact reason. I’ve been offered fast internet and work desks to use a number of times.
Yup. I hear you, @richten1.
I get sits pretty easily, with hosts knowing that I work remotely full time. They like that I’m home with pets more than most sitters.
Hosts often offer home offices or desk space, sometimes monitors, along with high-speed internet. Some have standing desks as well.
A pair of hosts I spoke with recently offered me fully outfitted home offices. They were excited, hoping I’d repeat-sit their little dog, even though I hadn’t accepted a first sit. Their house is high-end and sprawling, in a terrific location, with city and water views and a hot tub. I’m sure they had a good choice of candidates.
I’ve landed sits in locations like London (via THS) and Hong Kong (via Nomador), being clear that I telecommute and need high-speed internet. I specify that in my THS profile, which I recycled on Nomador.
This sounds A LOT like a local sit I did during Covid. Heavy medium dog needed to be carrier up and down the stairs (while he wasn’t that heavy it was such an awkward weight and I was very worried about causing him any discomfort as he was already in pain), he also needed dog physio and go for very slow walks. All of that was discussed and none of it would have been an issue if the dog had been willing to walk or do his business outside but he wouldn’t for the first few days no matter what I tried so eventually the daughter took over the walks and the three of us would very slowly track around the neighbourhood. The first time he did his business in the garden I nearly cried with relief. While the whole daughter coming over thing is a bit of a grey area, third party and all that, I was actually pretty glad to have her help to get through the two weeks.
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I ended up leaving them a kind but honest review detailing the experience. I contacted TH and told them I;d left early and had them adjust the dates so I coul still review. The owners removed their profile a few weeks later.
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Thank you for the update @hayhay123 .
It’s good to hear that THS supported your decision to leave this sit early because of the undisclosed issues. I have read too many times on this forum sitters finding themselves in a similar situation say that they can’t leave the sit.
Can you share any more information about how you handled the situation and how you accessed the support that you received from THS . Did you use the urgent support phone number, e-mail or live chat ?
What advice did member support give when you said you would be leaving the sit early?
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@Silversitters A perfect response!
There’s a more in depth explanation above from May, but I basically left TH out of it and handled it with the owner. I let the HO know it was wrong to have put me in the situation. They were rightfully concerned I wouldn’t be able to fulfill their requests and suggested their daughter take the dog. We ended the sit that day. I got in touch with TH and reported it via email, over chat, and they responded a day or two later. Over rhe course of a few days (there was no hurry, as I’d left) we sorted out the details. Meaning they asked what had happened and I told them, requested they change the dates to the actual 8 day duration I ended up staying so I could write a review. TH didn’t have to do anything. They did encourage me to write an honest review. I think it was the review that got the HO to terminate their membership. I don’t depend on TH for high level interventions. For me, its been better to handle these things myself in the best way possible, report and review.
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We are staying in a rather grand 16th century grade 2 listed house complete with boat and moat.
We had heavy rain overnight so completed our new responsibility investigating the level of the moat
If overflowing, we would have to open the sluice gates so the water could bypass the moat and drain into the pond on the other side of the grounds.
Luckily all is in order and the boat hasn’t sailed away.
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Lord and Lady Itchyfeet 
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We like that!!
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