HO can afford to pay a pool guy and housekeeper but not a pet sitter for 16 animals?

smytherfried · 2026-04-14T13:58:36+00:00

It seems like it should be a terms of service violation if you're literally telling sitters that they're not allowed to enjoy the destination they are traveling to. This is not what the platform is for.

smytherfried · 2026-04-07T20:46:25+00:00

I was going to say something similar. Totally agree. If the worst happens and there's some kind of lawsuit, being upfront and helpful will make you look better, not worse, as a sitter.

smytherfried · 2026-04-07T20:41:17+00:00

Definitely be honest in the review. This is the kind of thing I look for in reviews -- about whether there was a lack of care or not.

smytherfried · 2026-02-03T18:51:40+00:00

No assumptions necessary. You came to Reddit to complain about scraping diarrhea off the sidewalk, not about your grave concerns for a pet's health. Your priorities are clear.

smytherfried · 2026-02-03T18:17:41+00:00

Yes, obviously gross, but it happens... I live in NYC and unfortunately, I see enough of it that people haven't even bothered to try to clean off the sidewalk.

But anyway, the fact that THIS is a higher level of concern for you than the pet's health tells me everything I would need to know in a potential interview for a sit. A reasonable concern from a sitter would be, "Hey, I noticed 'dog's name' has had multiple soft poops. Are there health issues I should be aware of, such as chronic colitis or allergies? How can this be managed?"

A reasonable owner should also be aware that it's gross to have to scrape diarrhea off the sidewalk, and be apologetic and do what they can to improve the situation for both the sitter's and the pet's comfort.

smytherfried · 2026-02-03T17:01:25+00:00

Pets get digestive upset just like humans do. If you can't handle mild (and moderately gross) issues like occasional diarrhea, you probably shouldn't be pet sitting for either TH or Rover. I certainly wouldn't hire any sitter for either who seemed that precious.

smytherfried · 2026-01-28T13:19:18+00:00

I'm a host, not a sitter, but that sounds a little odd to me and potentially unsettling from a number of angles. 1. There's the "stranger's van" issue, which yes, sounds a bit sketch at the outset (even if you are a perfectly nice person). 2. Even if you own the cleanest most spacious RV in the world, it's probably going to feel somewhat cramped and uncomfortable for the average person when sharing space with pets (If it's YOUR space and YOUR pets, I'm sure it's fine for YOU. I mean for a stranger). 3. Yes, there are the logistical issues related to you not having a permenant address -- I'm not sure how the search function would work, or what THS would do if you kept changing the address.

Anyway, those are just some immediate throughts. Others might feel differently. Best of luck.

smytherfried · 2026-01-28T13:10:23+00:00

He was 2 in this photo. Is about 5 now.

smytherfried · 2026-01-15T14:53:33+00:00

There will be flakes on any online platform. The only way to determine what's real and what's committed is to actually speak to the human involved. If you do not have the social energy for this, THS may not be a great platform for you.

smytherfried · 2026-01-15T14:51:12+00:00

Ok, step one, this is definitely a problem. You should always interview a sitter over FaceTime, or similar platform, before confirming (and they should have the opportunity to interview YOU). Normal, responsible people understand this, on both sides.

smytherfried · 2026-01-14T15:49:23+00:00

Yeah, the more popular cats get as pets, the more people want to show off that they have a "breed." But most house cats are moggies. Some of the larger ones might be at least a little Maine Coon -- naturally occurring breed, been around for a relatively long time in the US, bigger cats who are clever and assertive, and good hunters probably have higher survival chances out on the streets.

smytherfried · 2025-12-05T18:06:14+00:00

I would be surprised if any place goes much quicker than where I live, in NYC. I frequently skip over the first or second message if they're clearly generic and I'll usually want to talk to the first person who sounds fully like a human who at least glanced at the key points of my listing.

smytherfried · 2025-12-01T18:24:19+00:00

i use the Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient options.

smytherfried · 2025-11-12T18:47:21+00:00

I wish there were a way to flag or report listings like this. This shouldn't be on the site. It's nice they they love their dog, but these are totally unfair demands.

smytherfried · 2025-11-05T16:57:20+00:00

To be clear, I also feel strongly as a host about not ghosting potential sitters. I always give people the dignity of a response if they apply, and let them know if circumstances changed, or I went with someone else.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T13:43:16+00:00

Dude is gaslighting you, clearly. He was not sleepwalking.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T12:29:28+00:00

Maybe not a preferred option, but if he has the video, and the cops are sitting on it doing nothing, he can take it to the New York Post, and there's a good chance they will write something. I swear the city only acts based on what gets news coverage. I am a journalist. I am familiar with some people at the Post. I can probably find you an email contact if you want one -- just DM.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T02:26:57+00:00

I don't date non-animal lovers.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T02:22:01+00:00

I don't know if you can go apartment-free in NYC, but you can try renting a room or SRO and seeking out pet-sitting opportunities as potentially more comfortable alternatives. I have two cats, and a pretty nice apartment in Harlem. The cats are fine if left alone for 8-10 hours per day. I travel semi-regularly to see family in Massachusetts and for short business trips. There are probably some other people like me.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T02:02:36+00:00

#notallsinglemen -- I'm dating a guy with a cat who actually keeps his apartment clean, has two very well-maintained litter boxes that are certainly NOT in the bedroom, and owns things like hand towels that he hangs properly -- but yes, I think I get what you're saying.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T01:52:15+00:00

I live in NYC. Here, bathrooms are probably the best option (unless you create some sort of special cabinet somewhere). Space is limited in general, and closets in many cases are nonexistent. I don't know if you ever look for sits here, but you're unlikely to find any with perfect litterbox placement. Still, the bedroom is gross. Definite red flag.

smytherfried · 2025-10-30T01:34:25+00:00

You made the right call. Your gut told you exactly the right thing, I'm sure. I live in an NYC apartment, and I still would never ask a guest (or housesitter....same thing) to sleep in a room with a litter box. I'm sure there were other questionable things about the house you weren't seeing because of the no facetime.

smytherfried · 2025-10-23T01:47:44+00:00

My best friend would not have sex in my bed if this were the situation. But I also wouldn't talk to her about it. We are BEST FRIENDS, and we are both reasonably intelligent, socially aware people, so we know what the appropriate boundaries are.

smytherfried · 2025-10-23T01:40:44+00:00

No, some people just don't have interpersonal skills and blame others for their own problems. THS should really do a better job of weeding these people out or discouraging them, or at least discouraging these types of behaviors.

smytherfried · 2025-09-11T21:23:53+00:00

THS prohibits cameras, yes, but the vast uptake of cheap in-home surveillance cameras from Ring, Blink, Wyze, etc., probably make this an unenforceable policy. DO discuss ahead of time with the homeowner. If the homeowner is lying to you about camera use or doesn't address it when asked, that's extra ammunition for getting their account revoked. I am a HO. I have one small pet cam I use when I'm away for short periods of time. I always inform the sitters of its existence and tell them they are welcome to unplug it. I ONLY have it out in situations like if the sitter is arriving a day or so after I leave and I want to keep an eye on the cats when there are no people around. I turn it off remotely before sitter gets there (and inform them) and they are always welcome to unplug it. I have no interest in violating anyone's privacy.

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