Today, I queried a listing with MS since it included the pet parent’s cat and her son’s 2 dogs. I was informed there has been a recent update regarding this, but then the agent couldn’t find the updated info.
I’ve been reading through all the T&Cs on the website and found this:
It basically states that the pets of other family members can now be included in a sit if it’s mentioned in the listing that they don’t normally live there.
Surely this will raise concerns about which vet the additional pets are registered with (and where) and who would be the person to contact if emergency veterinary treatment becomes necessary?
For us, it would be a pass. We feel it’s putting extra pressure and responsibilities on sitters. How do other sitters feel about it?
Thank you @Happypets for passing on the information it is an Interesting development- strange that this updated information isn’t sent out to all sitters .
I would only consider possibly doing this for a repeat sit where we already had a good rapport with the hosts . I would be asking a lot of questions about which vet the additional pet was registered with and who would be authorising and paying for any treatment for that additional pet (if the need arose )
I’d skip such sits. As a solo sitter who telecommutes, I wouldn’t want to unnecessarily risk complications say if the guest pets didn’t get along with the home pets.
We’ve done it twice, the first time was where the visiting dog was younger and full of beans, and so the HO’s dog was exhausted and just needed time-out so we sat in different rooms with them just so the older dog could relax (she wasn’t much older, she was just more lazy). Both were beautiful dogs, but my partner and I didn’t envisage having to sit in separate rooms, but it was a funny experience .
The second time around, it was the reverse where the visiting dog was the older one, and that worked out perfectly, so we’d do it again if the older dog was the visitor.
Well it surprises me, since you’d surely think THS would be urging the other pet parents to subscribe to their own memberships? And friends who are going away together will also potentially start leaving their pets together and arranging for one sitter to cover? Who will be assessing and writing the reviews, when this is ‘Pet Club’ option is used?
I wouldn’t have a problem with this. There are probably a few questions I would ask, with the main one being whether the animals all get along when spending prolonged time together. If so, I don’t see this being any different than any other sit.
A couple of years ago I did a sit where the hosts and friends were going away together for a few days, and their dog stayed in the home–we were informed at the time of our pre-confirmation chat. The two dogs were used to being around each other and it didn’t pose any problems.
Im surprised sitters haven’t been told about this.
Unless i could meet all the aninals together (and of course, distance would often mean this wouldn’t be possible), I’d move on past this sit. My New Years sit will be for the HOs own dog and that of their son who lives locally and which spends most days with the HO - its 20 mins from my home so it was easy for me to visit and get reassurance. Otherwise, no.
I would definitely require that the animals had previously spent time together in the home for more than just a few hours. Preferably at least 48 hours.
As a solo sitter I don’t want issues cropping up over toys, feeding, sleeping locations, etc.
There would have to be something really compelling about the sit location for me to consider it. Especially as it seems there are many available sits that better fit my sitting criteria.
I wouldn’t want to do this as I think it has the potential to complicate things, but appreciate that HOs are being encouraged to state such requirements up front.
I arrived at a sit with two dogs once and was told, in addition, the HO’s daughter would be bringing her puppy over for me to look after sometimes if she wanted an evening out, for example. I initially agreed (as a relatively new sitter at the time, I was keen to please!) but soon realised it didn’t sit right with me that the HO should think I was available to look after another dog whenever it suited her daughter, especially as there was no mention of this in the ad and I wouldn’t be covered by THS, should something happen. I guess at least now, this is an option for HOs if they state it up front.
I did 1 sit with the resident dog and the son’s dog but they frequently spent time together and got along well. In fact, it probably made things easier for me as the pups entertained each other. And I was asked in advance.
My primary concern would be the distance of the visiting pet’s Vet from the location of the sit. I would rather not have to travel a substantial amount of time to get the pet to the Vet in an emergency. I would need the visiting pet parents to have a clear plan in place for Vet emergency and transport and leave a means to pay. Considering all of this I would pass on such sits.
The first was when I was quite new, and with hindsight, I did not fully think through the implications should anything have gone wrong. The additional dog belonged to the sister of one of the hosts, was used to staying with the other dogs, and was no problem. All of the humans were holidaying together, fairly locally.
The second time was this summer, on a regular repeat housesit where I know and trust the hosts. The other dog was older, and the dogs were used to being together - they look after each others dogs regularly. They live in the same village and have the same vet with accounts set up.
I asked the hosts to add the information for the visiting dog to their welcome guide, and had contact details for the visiting dogs owner (they were holidaying separately).
The visiting dog was a sweet older girl, so the only difference was we had to walk at a slower pace than usual, and do shorter walks. It was very warm most of the time, so this was fine with everyone!
I would now be more wary about doing this with an unknown host.
I could see this as a case by case thing. Sometimes doggie cousins are good friends, and may even live together part time. So that in an emergency situation where a vet visit was necessary, they might even go to the same vet. I would think this could be manageable. On the other hand, I could see many situations where it would be a nightmare and the pets might need to be separated. It’s also one thing for the dogs to play nicely with their people around and another with a stranger.
To me the important part is disclosure and going in with eyes open. I also don’t think this is ever going to come up for a significant percentage of sits. It’s not like this leads to fewer “normal” sits. If someone is opposed on principle, no need to approach.
Actually I didn’t think this was new, and that it was like that also earlier, but that added pets would have to be mentioned in listing before confirmation?
For me, I would not do it. Because it would be uncertain how the Pets would react - at least dogs, which I am most familiar with. I know super nice and well trained dogs that became really grumpy on visiting dogs when they realised that they were staying «on their turf» and not just visiting. They couldn’t be fed together as one of them became aggressive, and also in other situations that started out playful. When the dominant dog had been with the other dog it had been none such behaviour, so it was quite surprising that it was a problem to move in together.
Another thing is the responsibility if something happens. Who is responsible if one dog hurts the other? The owner or the sitter?
Who will make decisions if the pet needs the vet? What if host has okayed the vet, who will reimburse the sitter? The host? The owner? What if they get cold feet and both deny responsibility and point at each other?
It seems there are a few pitfalls and that they all can leave the sitter high and dry.
Thanks for posting about this as it may be of interest to my brother and parents who live near each other. I will be sure to let them know. I think it would be an ok for me on my end if I was sitting as long as I was made aware.
The fact that the pet parents weren’t even holidaying together just doesn’t sit right with me (though I appreciate, every sitter is different). You were very accommodating, @Debbie !
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