I’d check the listing for the sit. If the outdoor camera is not mentioned in the listing, deducting a star for accuracy is appropriate because some sitters (yourself included it seems) are unsettled to learn about cameras after arriving. Mentioning that the camera issue was the reason for the deduction would be helpful as well.
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Check the Amenities of the listing under the Safety & Security section. Cameras definitely should be disclosed here at minimum. Some HOs may also refer to cameras in the body of the listing.
IMHO both should be done.
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THS Camera & Recording Devices policy: “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”
That said, we have come across undisclosed external cameras and have not deducted ratings. Rather we now accept that THS does not enforce this policy so we have to be proactive … we ask PP about cameras.
Re pet behavior, this does not seem clear-cut. Especially given single night housesit. Viewpoint may depend on whether pet was atypically scared or if PP somehow tried to deceive frequent pet behavior. In your shoes, we’d consider briefly mention in review (one brief phrase); not deduct rating; take deep breath and reflect on one night sit decision. As you note “Had i known this was a possibility i wouldnt hsve let this cat out” … for a single night sit (which we have never done) then we’d try keep actions exceptionally simple.
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Agreed we always proactively ask about any cameras - in case the host hasn’t read the Terms of Service , including the Camera Policy .
Regarding THS not enforcing this - if it’s reported they do enforce it -
They enforce it by reminding hosts of the policy and if they won’t comply they are removed from the platform -
However since THS don’t go around inspecting houses it’s up to sitters to report it to them . THS won’t know about cameras unless sitters tell them .
Depending on the situation sitters may decide to discuss this with hosts directly without informing THS .
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We wouldn’t deduct a star, the camera is allowed, and a cat being too scared to come back in is just one of those things.
If they are new to THS, then I’d educate them after the reviews are left, so they think of a solution for next time. We’ve been really lucky, we’ve mainly had cats that returned at dusk, and with a couple the hosts have said that if the cat didn’t return by 9pm, to just leave it out all night.
We also have done sits with external cameras ( which were disclosed in the listing )
However we had not a sit where the host used the camera to remotely watch and call out to the cat for hours ? I would want a heads up about that before deciding if to apply.
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To be honest, leaving the door open would bother me more than being kept awake because we are trying to get the cat inside. As a sitter, I’m prepared to deal with unexpected situations and potential emergencies but I will not sleep in a house with unlocked doors. I think that should be clearly disclosed in the listing.
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Me neither. Especially if I was a sitter in an unknown neighborhood that was described as being sketchy. I love animals but to risk my life for a cat that refuses to come inside?
If it was me, I would have closed and locked the door and spent the evening writing an apology letter to the host about the cat that ran away.
Every time I go on a sit I encounter a challenge that becomes a learning tool for future sits. For cats, I personally believe that they should remain indoors for many reasons. It just takes one event to turn into a nightmare. This is why I select sits that are indoor only or an available catio. Peace of mind and feline safety.
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Ha! You need to spend some time in Greece and other European countries that are overwhelmed with feral cats. In our listing we make sitters aware that there are around a dozen feral cats (more or less at any given time) plus regular litters of kittens. We put food and water out for them but they’re not allowed in the house (for the most part). One or two that have gotten quite friendly have figured out the dog flap and we find them eating out of the dog bowls on occasion.
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The category is “pet behavior as expected” so if the owner mentioned the cat went out and didn’t always want to come in for the night and this might be a bit difficult than that is “as expected.” But as a sitter, I want to know the specifics of cat behavior and what the host actually wants done, and I might avoid sits where the host wants the cat let out, wants the cat back in at night, and expects sitters to stay up, keep calling the cat in, go out into the darkness looking for the cat etc. In the “outdoor” catsits I’ve done, either the cat didn’t have to come in at night or the cat did but the owners were clear this was a “do your best” situation.
My spouse whom I usually travel with is not crazy about sitting for cats who may not come back. Sitters want to know the conditions.
I wouldn’t focus just on “stars” but on letting other sitters know what to expect.
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I wouldn’t dock a star, but I would mention it in the review so the next sitter doesn’t make the same mistake, the owner should have let you know about the cameras. I have outside cameras & I normally mute them & give my sitters access to them, so they can monitor them & talk to anyone who comes to the door. I think outside cameras are fine, but the owner should have let you know. Regarding the cat, the owner should have given you more info about that, sorry you had to deal with that, but you did your good deed for the month. 
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