I’ve seen listings where they said sitters would need to go out to buy more fresh food for the animals but it would either be reimbursed or they would leave cash/card to use. May be worth clarifying.
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Here’s what the THS website says:
Who pays for pet provisions during the sit
If it’s a sit that you’re really interested in, I would apply but would make it clear to them in writing before confirming (if you are offered the sit) that this is the THS policy and what will be expected of the pet owner.
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If owner runs out of food, they clearly want the sitters to just get out there and dig up organic vegetables from the vegetable patch, have their pets steal a sausage or two from the neighbours barbie, and forage in the nearby woods!!! Just joking ! Of course, it is the owners responsibility to supply the pet food. And if they are having difficulty with paying for their food, there may be a pet food bank that a neighbour of theirs might know about that would help
My fabulous, most recent HO gave me a bottle of wine and left it for me on the table. It wasn’t an el cheapo either.
She offered me to snack on anything in the cupboard but I decided not to.
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We always prepare a basket on the kitchen table for the sitter(s) with a bottle of white and a bottle of red wine, some snacks, chocolate, a map of the surroundings and a voucher for the best café in town, which is just around the corner. Depending on the season of the sit we might add something for Easter, Christmas or anything special for the area.
In the bathroom we prepare a jar with small shampoo, shower gel, face cleanser bottles and some candles. So far no sitter has used anything out of this jar but it’s the gesture that counts, isn’t it?
If there’s fruit or vegetables left before we leave, we ask them to consume it or throw it away and also to help themselves to any dry goods in the kitchen.
We don’t holiday cheaply so these are minor costs to make sure that the sitter(s) feel welcome and appreciated.
So far it hasn’t happened yet, but in case we were away for more than 4 weeks, and because I make the cat food myself, there might not be enough space for longer sits in the freezer. In this case I would leave detailed instructions on what to buy and how to prepare the cat food. We certainly would pay for it and either leave a certain amount of cash in the house or do PayPal, whatever the sitter prefers.
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We’ve completed about 50 sits now, and have found food protocol varies enormously.
Several HOs have left us fully stocked up and made it clear. Many have said ‘Help yourself’ which is generous, but ambiguous, so we always tend to err on the safe side and not open anything, replace if we finish anything, etc, except things that would have gone out of date anyway. Most common, I think, is: “Use herbs/oils etc, and feel free to eat what’s in the fridge.” And once or twice we’ve simply been shown where to put our own provisions.
We often use and replace, always make sure there’s bread and milk for them to come back to, and always message to ask if there’s anything they’d like us to get in.
We don’t mind what the deal is, as long as it’s clear: we don’t want to touch anything they weren’t expecting us to use, but equally we don’t want to offend if they’ve got stuff in specially, and we haven’t touched it - plus it would be a shame to miss out! This happened once when someone was sitting for me. I assumed he’d eat/drink what I’d got in for him - which I gave a good deal of thought - but he didn’t touch a thing, as I hadn’t actually said it was for him!
It would be super-useful if TH could put on their HO list of things to clarify, exactly what is okay for sitters to eat/drink. A lot of people are saying communication is key, but I would find “What can we eat and drink?” an incredibly difficult question to ask. Maybe that’s a British thing!!? These days, if they haven’t said anything about food, I usually ask, “Are we okay to use things like oils and spices?” and then I’m guided by their reply.
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If there is space left in the fridge, I would assume the owner wants you to use that space for your own food. Unless they say you can use their oils and spices, I bring small containers of spices from home. For oils, I would bring coconut oil as it solid and is delicious on items like scrambled eggs. Then I would make do with a few herbs and seasonings such as Cajun and Italian mixed herbs using the very small PABA free containers. If I use their food, I would replace it but you can get a better handle on what is required after talking to the owner
Wow I hope we get to sit for you one day. What lovely generous gestures. 
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We just finished a 9 day house sit that we flew to and purchased all our groceries locally just before we arrived atbthe sit, including vinegar, mustard, oil etc even though the HO said she had staples we could use. On arrival we found out she was a keen cook and had every pantry staple imaginable including multiple different varieties of what we purchased. So we use hers and left our new unopened staples for her. She also asked us to buy a couple of food things for the pets and left ample cash for us to do this. We didn’t mind in the least, we left her change and receipts with the keys when we left before she got home. Everyone was happy.
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I’d love to housesit for you!
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OMG nooo I would never expect a sitter to pay for my pets food. If it ran out I would certainly repay the sitter what it cost. What a cheek.
Me either.
The last house sit ran out of dog food and expected me to go and buy some and be reimbursed.
We’ve had everything from help yourself to everything (& I mean everything - wine, beer, snacks, steaks and more) to “we’ve filled the fridge for you, please eat everything in there” to “you can use the spices and condiments and staples but please replace tins of food and don’t touch the expensive items”. No one has ever said “buy your own loo paper” although we have been asked to replace gas canisters and large water cooler bottles, both of which I think is a bit mean personally. Nearly all house owners have left us a kitty to buy extra pet food, washing powder, cleaning products etc.
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On my last sit, the doggo got fresh chicken mixed in with his food. It was my responsibility to roast and shred the chicken. The HO left me money so I could buy fresh when I ran out. Ideally in the future they’d pre-make enough and freeze it into chunks for 3-4 days worth of food rather than having the sitter do it, but it was no big deal. I just purchased it when doing my own shopping and paid for it separately with their cash and put the change and receipt back in the envelope. I do think it’s best for the HO to leave money rather than planning to reimburse the sitter. That’s generally how it’s happened for me in the past and this is the first time I actually touched the money that was left. No HO sould ever expect for the sitter to provide pet food and not be reimbursed. That’s ridiculous.
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My first sitter purchased a battery to repair a gate opener, I used Venmo to send a reimbursement ASAP. My last sitter left $20 for what she used. I was kind of mortified because I never wanted or expected her to do that and texted her to let her know. She was trying to be fair. But I had told her that anything in the cupboards or fridge were for her to use. She had left before I returned so I told her I will use the $20 for a welcome basket for the next sitter and include the pound of chocolate that was for her (we missed each other on my return).
But, having said that I do not expect any reimbursement for groceries or utilities. I am just so grateful for a kind, loving person to care for my pets! 
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Hi @ellenaj Just like at other times in life, sometimes a person just feels better making the gesture of payment, even though it wasn’t expected. It’s thoughtful of you to decide to pay it forward. Once I heard about the pound of chocolate, I’m chomping at the bit to learn more about your next sit. 
Chocolate is definitely one of my vices. 
Your story - on both sides - is a good example of how both sitter and homeowner appreciates the thoughtfulness and kindness shown by the other. Yet another great benefit of the warmth of the THS community, with a good match. Nothing being expected, but nevertheless can still be appreciated. 
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I did a sit recently for quite a wealthy couple
It seemed like they unofficially rationed the loo rolls so that when I’d used the one on the holder, there were none to be found in the house. Also, at the handover meeting they drunk filter coffee but directed me towards the instant. They’d obviously used filter that morning but it was literally nowhere to be found in the house. … Not that I could see…so I could only assume they were hiding both the filter coffee and the loo rolls.
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We had pretty much the same on one of our wealthiest sits @Antelope. If the gas runs out then you’ll need to buy a new one, Errrrmmm, gas bottles last 5/6 months so you already know it’ll be shot by 3 weeks use. Tight! 
Hid the Nespresso capsules too. Little did they know we have our own French press thanks very much & swapped the BBQ bottle for the oven one 
#nowtasqueerasfolk #meanies
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I wouldn’t care but I did loads of extra jobs and cleaning that I didn’t need to do. I’ve also helped out with laundry for an airbnb studio they run.
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Was this included in the listing ?
THS says “ Sitters are not expected to complete any tasks that are considered ‘work’. This includes (and is not limited to) helping a pet parent maintain any business they might have (including managing accommodation rentals) ”
If they didn’t offer you payment for this ( as a separate agreement outside of THS) not on …
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