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Original poster

Has anyone used Trusted House Sitters?

29 replies

Champagneforeveryone · 12/10/2022 13:45

I've had a look and it seems there's nothing not to like 😲
The only issue I can see is that I guess it could be tricky to get the same sitter every time, and DDog2 would prefer the continuity.

We've tried for local sitters but they've been very lax at coming back to us, which honestly makes me wonder how trustworthy they would be with our pets and home.

Any experiences good or bad would be greatly appreciated 🙂

OP posts:
AiryFairy1 · 12/10/2022 13:57

We’ve just signed up and have confirmed our first sitter for DCat, so I can only comment on the process which has been faultless so far.

We had offers within minutes of our listing going live and confirmed our sitter the next day.

We typically go away twice a year (maybe less so in the future 🥹) so feel it’s worthwhile to have the commitment for the duration of our absence - good for home security and keeping DCat company.

Sitters rely on good reviews so it’s in their interest to be trustworthy and reliable!

We chose our sitter based on multiple 5* reviews, and unfortunately declined those with less than 5 reviews - felt a bit bad as how do you otherwise get more reviews!!

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 12/10/2022 14:17

Thanks airy very helpful 🙂

Which level did you sign up for? I have an inkling I have a free basic membership with something but I'm buggered if I can remember what!

OP posts:
SallyWD · 12/10/2022 14:22

We've been using Trusted Housesitters for a couple of years and I can't rave about it enough! Everything about it has been so positive. It's very easy to use, it's free once you pay the join up fee and most importantly the sitters have all been wonderful. It seems to attract really nice people, people who love animals. We've had about 6 sitters now and they've been so lovely. My timid cat has bonded with them all, almost immediately. They've all respected our house and we've always come back to an immaculate home. We've always had applicants (not as quickly as the PP but within a week or so). It's worth having a video chat with them beforehand so you can get an impression of them. I used to hate going away because our knew our cat suffered without human company and I'd never put him in a cattery. Now I actually enjoy holidays again! I see the daily photos of him snuggled on their laps and I relax. It's true you don't generally get the same sitter twice although you can. You can request specific sitters. Maybe if you know well in advance when your next holiday is you can try and book the same one again.

mrsrobin · 13/10/2022 08:40

Coming from the other angle (I am a sitter) you can sometimes have the same person - my husband and I have been sitting for the same dog a couple of times a year for 5 years! We are all friends now though as you would expect. You can mention you are looking for someone who would be able to return for other sits - there might be someone who this might suit, worth a try! Good luck :)

AiryFairy1 · 13/10/2022 14:25

@Champagneforeveryone we signed up to the middle option - think it’s £145/a.
I figured it’s cheaper than paying a daily cat feeder £10/d - we’re going away for 4 weeks and then another 2 weeks in the summer, with the main benefit of saving our catty’s sanity - she’s 15 and we think going a bit senile, bless the daft animal 🥹

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 14/10/2022 11:07

I've just signed up and my first listing is live!! I ended up going for the Premium option with the airport lounge pass as DH is a bit of a lounge whore, so I think that should justify the extra expense.

I did rather enjoy showcasing my house and pets, like I was some sort of celebrity in a glossy magazine! My listing has just been approved and I'm anxiously waiting for applicants <taps foot impatiently> 😆

OP posts:
AiryFairy1 · 14/10/2022 12:17

Good luck OP! Hope you get some good options!

We were the same with our listing photos - trawling for good pet pics and a massive (surface) declutter in the house!

And enjoy the lounge access, so lush 😅

NotQuiteUsual · 14/10/2022 12:40

I've just had a look in my local area and most of the listings are really grand places. Is it even worth signing up when you have a tragically average home? We're near the sea and some cracking countryside but our house is old, shabby and full of toys (human and dog lol). I mean I love it, but it's a totally bog standard family home.

Menopants · 14/10/2022 12:42

I’ve used Uk house sitter which is free and had great sitters

JoanOgden · 14/10/2022 12:44

I think that's fine, @NotQuiteUsual , as long as your house is clean and comfortable, and in a nice location. My flat is a bit scruffy but in a nice part of London and I've has lots of applications and nice sitters.

PhilInt · 14/10/2022 12:53

Hi @Champagneforeveryone

I find this service so interesting. What kind of thing is expected of the person doing the sitting?

ThreeLeggedCat · 14/10/2022 20:45

Useless service. We signed up, didn’t get a single bit of interest. Waste of money. Never again.

SallyWD · 14/10/2022 21:23

PhilInt · 14/10/2022 12:53

Hi @Champagneforeveryone

I find this service so interesting. What kind of thing is expected of the person doing the sitting?

@PhilInt our Housesitters basically just feed our cat and give him some attention. If they stay more than a week I ask them to water the house plants (takes 5 minutes). I always tell them to make themselves at home and enjoy the surroundings.
I assume for dogs, it's feeding and walking and keeping them company.

HalfLass · 14/10/2022 22:21

I was a house/dog sitter through TH for several years. We lived abroad so did it back in the UK over summer and it enabled us to get our dog fix as we couldn't have one where we were living.
I thought TH was great. We met lovely families and did repeat visits. I wasn't looking for luxury, just a clean house in an area I could have lots of country walks in.

stevalnamechanger · 14/10/2022 22:40

Yes I have and I am also a sitter.

People are lax coming back as everyone is booked up well into 2023 .

Anyone needing sitting / boarding of any kind should get booking for 2023 now

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 15/10/2022 00:58

I think we get our money back if we get no interest after a certain time frame - at least I hope so as I've had no replies yet ☹️

I wonder if this is how online dating feels 😆

OP posts:
Loki64 · 15/10/2022 01:11

If its of any help at all, I used an app called Rover.
I found a wonderful dog sitter. She met up with me before hand so she could meet me and also my dog and spend a little time with him.
She has stayed at my house on three occasions, sending my pics and videos of my dog, on his walks etc. She also leaves my house spotless and showed me all of ber relevant insurance documents beforehand, and asked me for an emergency contact while i was abroad and my dogs vet details etc.
Free to use the app and u get to browse peoples profiles and reach how to them :)

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 19/10/2022 12:50

Hmm, I've had several people "save" my listing. However 4 of the 6 are in the US and I'm not sure how normal this is?

I'm now aware that people do join THS as a way of holidaying cheaply, and we do live in a beautiful tourist destination part of the SouthWest but even so I'm surprised at the interest from overseas.

I'm not sure whether to congratulate myself on my potentially successful listing or not 😆

OP posts:
SallyWD · 19/10/2022 13:15

Hope you find a sitter OP. When do you need one for? I've noticed if it's very far ahead people will often save it and not apply until nearer the date. Our last house sitters were from Canada and the one before them was from Belgium. People do come from far afield.

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 19/10/2022 14:11

That's interesting sally, thank you.

My first listing is for March and is only 5 days. I did wonder whether that was possibly too short and not worth peoples while.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 19/10/2022 21:27

I've had people come for just 2 nights. I think it's because it's so far away. I'm sure you'll have interest nearer the time, especially if you live in a good location.

fourquenelles · 20/10/2022 10:56

I have had 2 very successful "sittings" both with people from outside the UK . One was a lovely Argentinian couple who hade been nannying in Australia and were now looking to tour Europe (4 nights)and the second was a retired Tasmanian lady also on a Europe tour (7 nights). I live in what is considered the "rough" end of town although I love its cosmopolitan vibe and we are only 25 minutes by train into London. I also, at the time, had 3 large Galgos (greyhound type dogs) and they were very well taken care of.

Jenzie · 20/01/2023 11:42

Trusted Housesitters is the very best!! We have been members for 8 years and have had sits in both South Africa and Cyprus. Our sitters have been absolutely fantastic. We are careful in our choices: we read all the reviews and the profiles, and have made friends from all over the world. We have had short sits and long (3 mnth) sits and there will be someone out there who fits the mould!

You can invite the same sitter through THS but sending a private invitation. All the benefits of THS are there but you don't have to go through the screening procedure.

I really can't recommend them enough. They have transformed our travelling experiences.

I hope this helps.

Uninterestedfamily · 23/01/2023 14:34

Reading this with interest as I recently signed up as a sitter. I struggled a bit as a newbie with no reviews, but I've got a sitting all agreed for March, so hope it picks up after that. I probably need to target some of the less appealing ones to start off with.

As this thread discussed issues getting sitters, what makes a listing less appealing for me is...
Location. Interesting touristy places are going to be more fun than, for example, Basildon. (I can pick on it as I used to live there)
Cleanliness. Yes, there are stunning multi-million houses on there but personally I'm happy with normal, as long as it looks clean and reasonably tidy. In this, I also exclude listings where I am expected to share my bed with the pets
Pet care demands. I do this for a cheap way to get away, and while I like animals and will take great care of them, there are limits. I don't want to be trapped in the house 24/7.

Oaktree55 · 24/01/2023 15:22

There are sites that cost a fair bit (upwards of £100 a day) but the sitters are contracted to sit for 24 hours less a 2 hour break in daylight and 1 hour after. Personally I prefer to pay as then at least I know that the pet sitters aren't leaving the dog alone. Obviously if someone is doing it for free you cannot stipulate that they don't leave the dog, well you could but they may well ignore you!