Community Forum: April 2026 round-up

It’s all been happening over on our Community Forum these last couple of months! From serious topics covering pet sickness and declining applications, to lighter highlights on duck sits and Dexter the Scottish rugby fan, there’s a whole lot to get through! Grab a drink, and jump right in…

Discussion of the month

Ending a conversation with another member when things don’t quite fit isn’t always a walk in the park, but it’s a vital skill for both pet parents and sitters.  @Traverlerthiswld got this important conversation started last month, and our Forum members rose to the challenge.

With strategies ranging from humor to directness and prompt responses, our members had a variety of approaches to politely decline one another.
@Bonnieinbrighton shared their thoughts:  

“Some people are nervous or uncomfortable in the initial stage of a chat, I give some leeway for this. However, if I spot that there’s a non-negotiable that comes up, I’ll say straight away. 

I think people appreciate straight talking and not time wasting, I know I do. 

If however it’s a non-tangible feeling, I might test that out by asking how the other person likes to deal with a crisis—it’s generally revealing.”
@Systaran chimed in and highlighted the importance of friendliness, when it comes to turning down another member.

“It’s very much about how the video chat is approached and how questions are asked. 

To me, it should be a friendly conversation. This is an exchange of equals who are both offering something in exchange for something else. 

If that’s not how the host approaches it, then we are not a good match.”

Forum member shout-out

We’d like to shout out @Newpetlover who asked the Forum for their favorite books. Our members are from all over the world, so it was great to hear about their top reads from all walks of life. Head over to the thread for titles from across the globe, and inspiration for your next trip’s read.

Top pics from across the Forum

@Redlassie shared a photo of the lovely Dexter on her most recent sit. Any eagle-eyed fans of Scottish rugby will recognise the Doddie Weir tartan leash!

And if you didn’t know already, duck sits exist here at TrustedHousesitters! @Chrissie shared a photo of the duck she’s been looking after, who has his very own stream in the backyard.

What else has been going on in the community?

@MyrCar bravely shared the tough week they’ve had as a sitter, which opened up a useful conversation around what to do when a pet falls ill, not to mention, compassion by the bucket-load.
Onto something a little lighter, our members have been discussing their experiences of Murphy’s Law. From last-minute garbage disposal issues to septic system hiccups, mishaps are a plenty!

An update from us

We’ve launched a clearer way for our members to manage sit cancellations to improve communication, and speed up the process all round. Read our update here to learn more.

Enjoying these updates?

Join the conversation over on our Community Forum — our go-to place for all things house and pet sitting. Share your thoughts, discuss ideas, and connect with like-minded people from across the globe — and sit tight for incredible sit stories!