Am new to TH and would love some advice as to how to get a sitter that fits with my preferences. E.g. would prefer a single woman, ideally retired or semi retired, (cats more comfortable with as have trauma background) with good references etc. Is it better to do single invites or open up the listing to all and decline any that don’t fit my preferences?
Many thanks!
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Invites are rarely succesful so putting up an ad which clearly sets out your preferences would be your best bet but I’d strongly recommend considering where you have flexibility and what are deal breakers eg is someone who works from home all or part of the time also suitable?
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Create your listing and wait for applications then decline any that don’t fit your preferences, it’s how everyone does this. Sending invites to sitters has a very low success rate (I understand). BTW the calendar isn’t used by sitters so ignore it on profiles as most don’t update it.
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Hello @Christa and welcome 
It’s totally fine to put some specifics in your listing but don’t make it too narrow (unless it’s a highly desirable location) or you won’t have enough applicants. Very common to see “single females only please” especially when that’s what the pet is used to. Their age not so much, you can say over 25 or a minimum of 5 good reviews but again all limiting factors. A remote worker or digital nomad would suit a cat that likes company and there are plenty of those pet sitting. Don’t invite people as it rarely works. Create a great listing with good pics, plenty of info, clear responsibilities and a friendly tone and you’ll be off. #enjoytheadventure
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If this sitter profile (older woman sitting solo who can pay a lot of attention to/be gentle and patient with x number of cats) is what you need, you should state that right in the introduction and explain why. (What type of trauma the cats experienced.) If that doesn’t bring enough suitable candidates, you can rewrite to widen the profile (solo woman with experience with cats who can be present for them x hours a day).
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@Christa include your requirements up front in your listing.
Also think about what your sit offers your ideal sitter and include these in your listing.
Great garden to enjoy? Local attractions that sitter can visit within a timeframe that fits in with how long you want them to be at home with your cats? An office space, good Wi-Fi if they are working from home ?
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Hey Christina,
Absolutely agree with all above suggestions. Having preferences is fine, but make sure your listing isn’t too narrow or you won’t gain applicants. To help with your listing, here are 6 common mistakes to avoid that ensures your listing remains attractive as possible. Hope that helps!
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PERSONALLY, with you being new, I would write your profile, asking for a single women and explain why, but I would leave the rest totally open just to see what type of applicants you get, and simply reject the ones that you feel don’t fit what you need. You will be amazed at all of the different people on here. Then maybe change down the line once you have a few reviews yourself, and you know whats-what.
For example, let’s say you get a lady that sounds amazing that is in their 60’s but lives 5 hours drive away, and another lady in their 30’s that only lives 2 hours away who has family living in your area… who do you pick? The one you vibe the most with is the top priority, but you could be more likely to consider the one in their 30’s because they already know your area, and they may want to sit again for you in the future because they have family living close by.
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Yes, put it in your listing. When you get applications, you can study the profiles of sitters. A caring vibe usually comes through on the profile.
I agree with others that a remote worker might be very suitable as they spend more time at home. A retired person might want to go and sight see. Anyway, it’s your choice and I’m sure you’ll find just the right person. Good luck 
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It helps to remember that this is a matching platform, so choosing is mutual. Like some sitters won’t sit for hosts without reviews. And if the reason you prefer semi-retired or retired is wanting someone who’ll stay in the home all the time, many sitters won’t go for that, whether they’re retirees or telecommuters or otherwise.
If you want someone who spends a lot of time with your cats, you might be better off with a full-time telecommuter, because they’ll typically be home more than most sitters. But in that case, many hosts prefer telecommuters, so you’d be competing for them.
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I would definitely leave the part out about being retired…is it that you want someone older? I am a solo traveler, 57 , but I still work full time…I can work remotely, so I think you exclude someone like me when you state that. I see many home owners asking for a solo female…I’ve seen many also asking only for a couple.
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So you are new yet you want a sitter with references.
Of course you can ask for anything. But it is a bit like the HO that only wanted female vegan sitters for a remote place: did not get applicants.
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Thanks so much for all your very helpful feedback. I had actually sent out one invite and the person has accepted so have had a bit of luck first time. Sounds like this is the exception rather than the rule.
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I am on a sit now with 3 dogs. Two older and one young one, 2 years old, small lab. They had over a dozen sits but the last one was not a good fit and as a result, they have shock collar – try and use the vibration – we are not even using it. The young dog is fine, hardly pulls – and I have been on sits with pit mixes that can pull. But the last sitter complained about behavior, fell, broke sandals and as a result the dog has a shock collar for walking. So sad when a sitter gets a sit and the preferences do not fit. This is a lovely large home in Orange county with comfortable back yard, pool. But 3 dogs. Two are old, get walked slowly, once a day, for a short distance but a 2 year old lab needs a walk. This was not about an uncontrollable dog – but the owners are freaked out, liability etc, should something happen. This was about a sitter not fitting the preferences. The dog is actually very easy to take care of, considering it is a 2 year old small lab. If you can only handle chihuahuas, you should only apply for chihuahuas.
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Hi Christa,
As sitter I read the ads carefully.
Solo sitters welcome is a way to say that.
Also describing your pets needs clearly is a good way to screen people.
Shy or skiddish cats is another phrases you can use.
Needs lots of attention could work.
Rehomed or rescue pet, that is highly sensitive, needs soft spoken gentle care.
Consider phrasing your ad to attract the quality of care you are looking for.
I hope this helps.
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I’ve seen numerous comments on this forum stating that invites never work, and I’ve rejected several for various reasons. However, I recently scheduled three lovely sits in a row that came by invitation. I’m glad the feature is an option.
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Hi Christa,
I don’t know where you are but descriptions fits me. And do not believe all those that state invitations rafely work. They do. Maybe not to a high degree but I have accepted about 20% of invites received. And in one case it was a sit I would have applied for but had not shown up, do to overlapping dates. They were happy to have friends for the last weekend I could not do. If you state in your profile your preferances for a sitter then you should get more of those applying. Good .luck.
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