At this point, no one can recommend them, since they’ve not even launched. All people are doing is spreading word so others can sign up for notice once there’s something to check out.
My post is a follow up to an email from them inviting us to talk about them on Instagram and Facebook. I signed up but I’m a little hesitant to share the link on the social media. I understand very well that they need members to start but we don’t know anything about the membership !
If you’re hesitant, no need to engage.
I didn’t thank them. I didn’t appreciate the camera, nor did I feel welcome. But I’ve mostly enjoyed my sits, and always let the host know how and what I enjoyed about their home and pets. That’s been fun for me to share. For a certain type of home owner, that’s fun to hear. A house does not replace a thank you. Regardless of how nice it is. Ever. It’s a thing. Part of the exchange. Some of us are fine living a more transactional life, withholding thanks because the sitter was lucky to stay in one’s nice home. I’m seeing this much more these days and booking fees will amplify that thinking. It’s helpful to know you haven’t thanked your sitters. It clarifies the shift I was feeling. Some of us are lucky enough to have found deeper, more meaningful moments with the humans involved in this exchange. Moments I’ll cherish.
I agree with you 100%. Some people are leaving for the principle of it which may just be hurting themselves. Missing out on great sits they may not be able to find elsewhere. I would rather everyone just pay the same yearly fee and the premium fee is fine to put everyone on the same playing field instead of a booking fee which sounds like I am renting an Airbnb. I like that THS is more expensive than other sites as I feel you find nicer homes and well taken care of pets. Some people are establishing relationships with PP to come back off site but I’m here for the adventure of seeing new areas and new pets.
Doesn’t sound like that, from above.
Agree! Been here almost two years and still think it’s a bargain and had great experiences.
What would you call locally? I love where I live but take short sits two hour away as it is a completely different atmosphere from city to country or smaller town to big city depending what direction you drive. I am older so driving two hours and spending a day in the big city and drive back two hours if no traffic is too long of a day for me. Would rather stay there and do more things.
Because saying “thank you” for letting us stay in your home and caring for your animals following a mutual exchange is weird. Who knows maybe they did and U brushed it off as unnecessary.
We became good friends with one of the two, and she has visited once from her country since the sit. She described our sit in her review as a life changing experience. She was great except she left an umbrella open and it blew over and was damaged. We have not been satisfied with any other sitters, from THS or elsewhere but our current sitters seem to be doing a fine job and we plan to spend time with them upon our return as they are a nomadic family and love the area.
I won’t thank them either. I would probably say “you’ve restored my faith in pet sitters, the home and pets were taken great care of”. Or something like that. But not “Thank you for caring for my pets”.
Can THS explain exactly what extra benefit the booking fee gives. Does it guarantee a sitter or houseowner cannot back out of a prospective sit they have agreed to. What about those who dont have to pay the fee (yet) for whatever reason connecting with someone who has paid the fee. I am at a loss to understand the purpose of this extra change.
Please allow me to clarify and walk back my earlier comment. I don’t say “thank you” it seems odd and unnecessary. If warranted I do express gratitude and that the pets and home were clearly well cared for and will repeat it in the review. I don’t expect a sitter to say “Thank you for having me” but I do appreciate comments such as one sitter saying in her review - visible on my THS profile- that our sit was a life changing experience for her. She visited from her country once after the sit. No other prior sitters deserved more than being shown the door. Our current sitters from THS seem to be doing fine and we plan to spend time with them upon our return as they are a nomadic family and live the area. We have tentative plans to travel with them to one of the Greek islands where my wife owns property.
I hope to build a small network of sitters who I can call “friends” but to date I have not been fortunate. It’s been one disappointment after another.
I am sure everyone is able to deal with the consequences of their choices. We’re all adults and surely know what hurts us and what doesn’t.
Thank you goes a long way in my book.
Good to know. If we ever get the opportunity to do an exchange I will be sure to say the 2 magic words.
I’ve been reading through these posts, and your post caught my attention the most. As a sitter, I am noticing a trend of HO’s who are asking for more work from the sitters. It’s less and less an exchange for travel to walk pets and water plants, and more like a personal kennel for the owners. HO’s are asking for 3-4 times walks and not leaving pets for more than 3 hours etc. Playtime for 30mins to 45 mins (which is no problem), washing the pets, scooping the poop after every walk medication for some etc.
In any case when you go to a HO’s home you are still spending money for transportation, food and whatever you do for your vacation. Some of these owners are an hour plus from the airports. If you are doing all the work as a sitter, the house doesn’t really matter (except that it’s clean). If homeowners had to look at the prices for local kennels for their pets, it would exceed the price of a nightly Airbnb in some cases. And not only that, their pets get attention and love a little more than a kennel since they are in familiar environments.
So if a sitter asked the owner to pay the booking fee it makes sense to me. We both pay the annual fee. The house sitting saves me a little money, however what I save in money, I lose in time with some HO’s. Some of these pet parents should be paying a professional. Still I love puppies and once I agree, then I’m all in. I’ve had a few surprises though but since I’m new to this site, I usually just roll with it.
However, I feel the booking for the sitter to be unfair for the work that we put in. We are essentially paying to work. And yes I know I can say no to sits, but when you first start you pretty much have to take the ones you can honestly do. If you’re going to say, Ireland for example there may only be 4 available sits. So sometimes you can not be so picky about it.
You mention this as a job and that’s exactly how I look at it and the job description is filling up too!
I’m fortunate to be retired and happy to give time and attention to the pets , within reason.
We aren’t “paid” but there are ways the Home Owner and dare I say it THS could reward the great work of so many sitters on this site.
Some are feeling undervalued by both Home Owners and THS with the recent moves..some are saying the “payback” is rubbish and no longer worth the grief. Others feel the ethos is changing too.
This made me think… I think everyone has a choice about renewal issues and extra booking fees and a change on the culture. When it feels like skivvying it’s definitely time to go.. whether you may get a thank you or not!
Some homeowners are more respectful and compassionate towards sitters. We’ve only had 2 sits on this platform (one more is currently ongoing) and we’ve already taken steps to reduce the sitter’s workload by installing an irrigation system that covers most of the property, and we have installed automatic water feeders for chickens and rabbits, and we already had robot vacuums on all 3 levels plus an auto pool robot vacuum.
We offer to pickup sitters and drop off at the train station 30 minutes way and provide car during the sit.
We have made a point of adjusting our pet’s schedule so they can be left alone up to 8 hours, giving sitters plenty of time to explore the area. We do not require daily updates.
And lastly, we will be more than willing to cover a sitter’s booking fee.
We do this out of kindness and appreciation for sitters and the savings they provide us, not because we need to fill our applicant pool, as we have a very popular sit with numerous quality applicants.
Isn’t there indeed a need for reflection on this subject ? I know that THS is against paying sitters, as I’ve already discussed it with them, suggesting an option.
But perhaps World Sitters will want to/be able to make this distinction ? Apparently, many Ho’s has more demanding requirements and there is a difference between cat and dog sitting.
In some cases, there should be the option for HO’s to offer to the sitter a contribution to the sitter’s expenses, with a freely chosen amount.
This is just my opinion as a person, not as a marketing and business specialist.
It already is that way.