Community Forum: July Round-Up

There’s never a dull moment on our Community Forum, and the past couple of months have been no exception!

From advice on solo sitting and basic sit etiquette to a debate over the term ‘furbabies’, our members have been sharing their usual wisdom, wit, and wonderful pet pics. Read on for all the highlights from June & July!

Must-read discussion

@Nrgeec started an interesting conversation about basic sit etiquette, and it really struck a chord with our community. It’s been great to hear everyone’s thoughts and experiences, from both sitters and pet parents alike.

One standout piece of advice came from @Systaran:

“I would recommend being extremely clear about what sitters can use/not use. On almost every sit I’ve done, I’ve been told to help myself to anything (literally anything, including wine, alcohol). However, I never do. I prefer to buy my own food and wine. I’m actually rather picky about my olive oil and don’t use the HOs which is typically much less expensive than mine (some sitters can afford our expensive tastes). Also keep in mind some people may not know which stuff is expensive. On arrival at sits I’m often left with expired food or produce past when I would eat it, all that goes in the bin. I certainly don’t replace things I threw out.

If I’m on a longer sit, I bring my own laundry supplies. However, if it’s a short sit where I might do 1-2 loads of laundry, I don’t feel like I should have to bring my own detergent. When I wash the sheets/towels at the end of a sit, I do use the HOs detergent. If there is a tumble dryer I use it, it would not occur to me not to. Unless you have specifically said not to use the dryer, you should expect it to be used.

Since all sits and HOs are different. It’s best to be extremely clear about your expectations.”

It’s a good reminder that open communication before the sit starts really is key!

Forum member shout-outs 

@Walkies25 shared an honest story about accidentally breaking a vase while on a sit. We’ve all had those oops moments, and our community rallied with support and helpful advice on how to handle it. The result was a happy pet parent with a lovely replacement vase! 

@MerryPuppins has been an all-round star on the Forum, always ready with kind, thoughtful advice for fellow members.

And a big shoutout to @Silversitters, who continues to be a guiding light on the Forum. Whether it’s offering helpful suggestions or pointing members in the right direction when extra support is needed, they’re always looking out for others.

Top pics from across the Forum

Our “Tongues Out Wednesday” thread was full of the cutest pets, and @Skylos shared this absolute showstopper!

@DMcat melted hearts with a photo of her sweet friend, Tinkerbell, who’s one of her regulars.

What else has been going on in the community?

@Rhe opened up a thoughtful discussion on “The Loneliness of the Long Term Sitter”, which sparked heartfelt support and some wonderful advice for anyone navigating solo sits. 

Meanwhile, @GotYourBack asked the Forum whether terms like “furbabies” were seen as a red flag. Some members embraced the cuteness while others gave it a firm side-eye. It just goes to show – when it comes to talking about our pets, there’s no universal rule. 

What you need to know

We shared an update on the owner landing page and navigation, and received some really helpful feedback.

On top of this, some of our members continued to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into beta testing. One eagle-eyed member spotted a bug, and thanks to their input, our team was able to fix it fast!

Enjoying the highlights?

Why not get involved?! Our Community Forum is the perfect place to chat about all things house and pet sitting (and plenty more). Whether you’re looking for advice, have a question, or just want to swap stories and tips, come say hello – we’d love to have you!