Community forum: March round-up

Happy March! It’s official: spring has sprung, the weather is warming up… and it’s been yet another exciting month over on our friendly Community Forum.

So, what has the community been discussing this month? We’re glad you asked. From a conversation about long-term sits to one member's discovery of what it really means to live like a local (and in the Caribbean, no less!), this month our forum was abuzz with interesting chats and thought-provoking insights - but you’ll have to read on to find out more! So, get comfy, grab yourself a drink, and enjoy our latest Community Forum round-up.

Topic of the month

Like us, our sitter members couldn’t be happier to be back living their best pet sitting lives. In our trending topic, Who’s on a house sit and how’s it going?, our members have been giving us here at TrustedHQ all the travel envy by sharing their latest adventures - from Monterey, California to Tasmania, Australia!

“I’m currently on a 2.5 week sit in Monterey California. Mom is visiting family and currently on a cruise so since I’m a photographer I’ve been creating funny collages with the kids to send her.” — @Catgoddess_99

Category of the month

For the second month running, our ‘Category of the month’ award goes to our Owner & Sitter Exchange category. Is a long-term sit more appealing to sitters than a short-term sit? Do you allow sitters to have other guests stay in your home? Our members shared their thoughts on these questions and more this month in our shared member category, perfectly bridging the gap between owner members and sitter members. Always had a question for the other side? Here is the place to ask!  

Forum user of the month

Of course, all our forum members deserve a medal for all their great contributions. Alas, we can only pick one for our March round-up, and this month we wanted to shout out member @BlueDiamondRose.

@BlueDiamondRose, aka Deb from Newport, OR, started up a great discussion recently when they asked “would someone with out of the “norm”/altered appearances influence your decision when applying for a sit, or selecting a sitter? — @BlueDiamondRose

“I will use myself as a prime example. If you look at my picture on my profile, you will see as of this moment, I have dark blue hair. It wasn’t until recently did I decide to do something so wild and different. And I LOVE IT!!! I find it fun, and exciting. I have met more wondering people and had some of the most fun interactions with people, and it all started with my hair. So with this, let’s go back to the question at hand. Would someone with out of the “norm”/altered features about their appearances affect you submitting an application, or selecting them as a sitter?” — @BlueDiamondRose

As ever, the community flocked to share their thoughts and to answer Deb’s intriguing question… but to find out what they said, you’ll need to visit the topic!  

Quote of the month

This month’s Quote of the month comes from member @Dawn in the topic Pet sitting rewards, where they shared how they discovered the true magic of what it means to live as the locals do - and in the Caribbean, no less!

“Currently on a 2-week sit in St. Lucia. Vacationing via pet sit is definitely a different travel experience. I couldn’t help but feel envious as we strolled down the beach in front of the swanky, Sandal’s resort last night. But when you pet sit, you are immersed in day to day life of people living in a different place. So while I would certainly enjoy the all-inclusive breakfast at a fancy resort… my half-warm oatmeal out of a broken-down, old microwave comes with a side of something they don’t have to offer.” — @Dawn

Photos of the month

You’ve heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words.” So, after member @Joanne delighted us with a selection of photos from a recent sit, we thought it only right to let the (adorable) pictures do the talking…

“Both Ollie and Brody were great cuddle bugs on the couch, when freezing temps kept us indoors. Thankfully our travel day was after all the roads were cleared. Lots of doggie hugs as we departed… we miss them already.” — @Joanne

Meanwhile, member @Sophie from the Lake District shared her two adorable pooches. We'd definitely like these two four-pawed tour guides to show us the ropes the next time we take a trip to the Lake District!

“Aren’t they just the cutest? I’m a bit biased.” — @Sophie

What else have the community been discussing this month?

Home tour videos

Have you ever conducted a home video tour for your sitters before? @claudinekent posted this great suggestion when they were faced with three back-to-back sitters while spending a few months away. As @claudinekent explains, sharing short home videos and how-tos is a great way to help sitters familiarise themselves when you can't be there in person - especially for those homes with complicated accessories, techy gadgets (or a particularly intricate coffee maker!)

Mandatory ID & background checks

Mandatory ID & background checks for sitters went live this month, and in the lead up, there were a few issues for a couple of members who found help and advice in this forum topic. Luckily, the March 16th deadline came and went without too many issues for members, and is now in place for all sitters across the board.  

Are longer sits popular or hard to find? 

And finally, in this conversation about long-term sits, our members discussed exactly how popular long-term sits are, whether it’s better to break them up into two shorter sits, and whether longer sits are more appealing for certain types of sitters - couples, for example. 

Angela, our Community Manager and a Forum Regular, shared her experience of an 8-month house sit in Spain, where she cared for Bruno - an elderly rescue Dobbie. While there, she volunteered with a horse rescue centre and adopted two Welsh Mountain Ponies - yes, really! 

Have you joined the Forum yet?

If not… why not?! Now you’ve read all about what’s been happening this month on the forum, the only thing left to do is to come and join the conversation for yourself. Got a burning question you’ve always wanted to ask? Or just fancy a chat about some of your favourite travel destinations or favourite pets? Our Community Forum is waiting… we’ll see you there!