Trusted House SittersReviews 1,000

I love to travel but don't have the budget to stay in hotels. I love animals but don't have the time to commit to my own pet again full time. This allows me to meet new people, their pets and stay in lovely places! I get to love on pets plus give their families the knowledge that their pets will be safe and well cared for. I feel safe staying in their homes as I know that they have been checked out as much as I have been. I wouldn't do this if I ever felt unsafe or that I had been put in harm's way. It's a wonderful way to meet like-minded people from all over the world!

I have done two sits so far, and although the first one was great, the owner was a poor communicator before and after the sit, and never responded to my request for a review. My second house sit was an unqualified success, with a committed pet owner who has wonderful communication skills.
One small technical problem with the site was solved quickly and efficiently with a very friendly person in customer service.
I have been telling everyone about this site, and highly recommend it!

The site works well - though there were a few technical glitches at first - and has an enormous number of house sits listed all over the world. I think house owners being able to put up references directly on the site gives the site an edge on others and should reassure future owners. All the house sits I've done have been most successful. House owners have been very helpful and accommodating and all the animals I have had in my care have been lovely.

We first heard about TH from an article in Saga Magazine and was interested to find out more. We joined as sitters, and wrote our profile with the aim to attract our first assignment. It wasn't easy without references. TH suggested we apply to several listings at one time, and advised adjustments to our profile. We spent hours trawling the site for a UK sit and was offered our first from a family not far from where we live. There were emails and Skype calls to ensure both parties were happy with arrangements before we agreed to sit. We believe communication is key to finding a great sit. We have learned from experience to ask as many questions we feel is necessary to be comfortable about a sit. Our 5* reviews show how good our experiences with Trustedhousesitters has been. We have stayed in lovely homes, in beautiful locations. Met hospitable, interesting people and enjoyed caring for a variety of animals.
One minor point; the animals shown on the listing or the accommodation on offer, are not always as advertised. However TH cannot be blamed for misinformation from owners. As I said, communication is key.

I have house-sat with TH in the States, Canada and the UK and have had only great experiences. I had only applied for far-away destinations, but local homeowners also found me on TH and engaged me, and I have ended up also having great mini-vacations with lovely pets only a few miles from home `` such a great break. Extensive emails back and forth essential, and for local sits I always meet them in person weeks ahead of time as well. I also will send documents to prospective homeowners to prove I am legitimate, and have asked homeowners for references of their own in the past. There is a lot of trust involved on both sides, so both sides should do as much research as possible. I do not have any pets right now so am very happy to play and care for other peoples' pets. I have found the homeowners I have helped out to be universally grateful and relieved to have someone caring to trust with their pets and home. In return, I am appreciative of the trust they show me and the chance for a free vacation in interesting places plus pets! What could be better? (I do not charge a fee). I always leave the house as clean or cleaner than when I arrived. Perfect arrangements for me, as I am a young retiree with grown children who loves pets, is good at outdoor and indoor work and is self-motivated to do a good job. If I apply to something it is only after some thought so I always ask them to briefly acknowledge my application even if they have chosen someone else. This has worked every time but once. Was it a false review, as one reviewer suggests? Possibly... or maybe it is a careless person who neglected to remove his ad after having chosen someone.
Again, I urge everyone to get as much info on the other person as possible before accepting, to avoid uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
I would also like to see more homeowners think to add requirements such as "dog must not be left alone for more than 4 hours". I am surprised that all dogowners do not do this.
For me, TH has been worth the annual fee.