Would you mention this in review

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

I have just done a 1 night sit for 3 cats.

All fine, but 1 of the cats absolutely refused to come in (terrified rescue) and it took the owner calling him over the outside camera for nearly 2 hours, meaning i didnt get to bed til after 1am- not usually an issue but had work the next day. The area wasnt the best and i had to leave the door open for the cats all eve. Had i known this was a possibility i wouldnt hsve let this cat out.

The camera also took me by surprise- i dont think it was mentioned in the listing or when we met in person (local sit). I know the area isnt great, so i understand the need for security but it freaked me out a bitā€¦ The owner would have been getting notifications every time i went in or out of the house.

Would you mention? Everything else fine, and i would feel terrible docking a star because the poor cat was terrified. And in this circumstance the camera was needed as she could tell me when she could see said cat. Butā€¦ how to word sensitively? Should i even say?

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2

Outside cameras are permitted via the THS terms of service.

Docking a star because of a terrified cat seems rather extreme.

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3

I wouldnā€™t deduct a star, but I would mention it in the review. As a cat sitter, thatā€™s one of the things I worry about for cats that go out during the day but are to be in for the night at a certain time. Most are very predictable and come in as expected or the HOs have a trick like shaking the treat bag and the cats come running. If a cat has a history of not coming in, thatā€™s a behavior that really should be in the listing and discussed in the video chat. Personally, I donā€™t want to be trying to coax a cat to come inside in the middle of the night.

Outdoor cameras are allowed, however they are required to be disclosed in the listing. Unfortunately, many HOs do not disclose them.

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4

I took the original post to indicate that the cat was terrified because the host was away, and the behavior was unexpected.

Penalizing a host for unpredictable pet behavior is unreasonable for the most part.

5

@idocsteve We donā€™t have that information. I donā€™t know if itā€™s a typical behavior or not. It could be mentioned in the review and then future sitters can discuss it with the host. Itā€™s not penalizing the HO. Itā€™s important for HOs to be transparent about pet behavior. If it happened on this sit, it could happen on a future sit.

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6

I get it, however it was mentioned the cat was a rescue. Weā€™ve got tons of them here in Greece and itā€™s like a revolving door (although they arenā€™t allowed inside, we just put food out for them).

Odds are the host had no clue the cat would behave that way with a stranger, and if thatā€™s the case thereā€™s nothing to be transparent about, because itā€™s an unknown.

Yes, Iā€™m guessing but on the other hand, to go right to ā€œthe host should have warned the sitterā€ is also making assumptions.

7

If it hasnā€™t happened before, then obviously, the HO couldnā€™t have warned the sitter. The fact is, it did happen on this sit and could happen again on a future sit. Itā€™s completely appropriate for the sitter to mention it in the review. They donā€™t have to dock stars or even make a big deal about it. A brief mention can let future sitters know about the possibility in case the HO chooses not to mention it.

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8

@catscatscats24

Yes I would mention both facts in your review .

There is an outside camera and that the owner monitored it whilst way and used it to call the cat in . Also that xx cat once let out is difficult to get back in .

Having a host watch the camera for two hours to call a cat in during your stay is unusual and future sitters need to know about this to inform their decision to apply .

Itā€™s up to you whether you dock a star(s) for that . If you do then it would be for inaccurate listing ( not disclosing the cameras ) in their listing .

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9

Outdoor cameras need to be disclosed in the listing? Do you have a source for that?

Weā€™ve got an outdoor camera that watches the front patio including the pool and front gate. Itā€™s described in the WG but not the listing.

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ā€œIn our Terms and Conditions, our Camera & Recording Devices Policy states that during a sit, no internal recording or monitoring devices can be enabled.

We do allow devices fitted to the exterior of the property or doorbells that monitor the security of the outside areas, such as the porch, driveway, and garden.

However, all devices must be disclosed to a sitter before a sit starts, and a pet parent must display this information on their listing as well as their Welcome Guide. ā€œ

https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/4419467716241-Camera-Recording-Devices-Policy

Disclosure

  • Owners must disclose the presence of any internal and external cameras or recording devices when creating their home listing.
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11

@Silversitters thanks, I updated my listing. Iā€™ll bet lots of hosts donā€™t even know they need to do this to be in compliance.

Interesting, there must have been an update to the THS host profile settings.

When I went to update the listing to include ā€œexterior cameraā€ it wouldnā€™t let me save it, and every picture had a warning next to it that I had to ā€œchoose the room typeā€ from a drop down list.

Never saw that one before. I could think of a lot of other improvements that would be better than that one.

12

I continue to be surprised by how many members ( hosts and sitters ) just tick the box to say that they agree to the terms and conditions without having read them .

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Itā€™s a lot to read, especially when the focus is typically on putting together a profile, uploading pictures and attracting sitters prior to the next vacation which is probably only a few weeks away in most cases.

Besides, weā€™re sort of trained to be apathetic to all those legal terms. Have you ever downloaded a piece of software and you check the box to agree to the terms, after scrolling pages and pages of legal phrases that would have taken at least an hour to read and understand? Itā€™s everywhere.

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14

I did not realise this tbh. I thought all cameras had to be disclosed in the listing.

I am not docking a star either way, i was just unsure as wether to mention it. i was really worried about the cat as i knew he was scared, but once he was in he came and slept on the bed with me all night!!!

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15

I have no idea if this is ā€˜typicalā€™ behaviour. Its more about warning future sitters that they may have to deal with it. Plus with the area being a bit dodgy, too, i was concerned about the door being open

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16

I wont dock a star but i will mention it. Thanks

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17

I would have locked the cat out until the morning rather than risk my health and well being.

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18

Oh i couldnt do that!! I feel like it would have mega traumatised him, plus a busy rd nearby.

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19

And still havenā€™t read them months after joining ā€¦

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20

You are correct internal cameras are NOT PERMITTED and external cameras MUST BE DISCLOSED in the listing and welcome guide .

5.2.15. follow our Camera and Recording Devices Policy.

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