Getting accepted for your first house sit can feel like the hardest part of using TrustedHousesitters. When you are new to the platform, you do not have internal reviews yet, and it can be difficult to know what to write, which sits to apply for, or how to make a host trust you.
But starting from zero does not mean starting with nothing. If you are wondering how to get your first house sit on TrustedHousesitters, the key is to build a strong profile, use external references, apply strategically, and show each host why you are a good fit for their home and pets.
My first sit was in Leeds, England, where my boyfriend and I cared for two cats for five weeks. We started without any reviews inside the platform, but after that first sit, getting accepted became much easier.
How to Get Your First House Sit on TrustedHousesitters: What Worked for Me
When we got our first TrustedHousesitters sit, we were starting from zero inside the platform.
We did not have previous reviews from other TrustedHousesitters hosts yet. Our first sit was in Leeds, in England, with two cats, and we stayed for five weeks.
What helped us was not one magic trick. It was a combination of having a complete profile, adding external reviews, applying to several sits, choosing a sit that matched our dates, and writing a message that explained why we were a good fit for that specific home and those specific pets.
It was not as difficult as I expected, especially because we started in the UK. In my experience, England is a good place to begin because house sitting is already quite common there, and there are many opportunities compared to some other destinations.
Still, getting the first sit is only the first step. The real goal is to do a great job, receive a good review, and start building trust inside the platform. That is what makes the next sits much easier.
Why Your First TrustedHousesitters Sit Matters So Much
Your first sit matters because it moves you from being completely new to having real proof inside the platform.
Before your first sit, hosts are looking at your profile, your photos, your message, and any external references you have. After your first sit, they can also see a review from another TrustedHousesitters host.
That changes things.
A good first review helps future hosts feel more confident about choosing you. It shows that someone already trusted you with their home and pets, and that the experience went well.
For us, after the first sit, getting the next ones became much simpler. We eventually spent nine months traveling without paying for accommodation because we were moving from sit to sit.
Today, we are 5-star sitters, and sometimes we even receive invitations from hosts for sits we did not apply for. But that only happened because we treated every sit seriously from the beginning.
Start With a Strong Profile Before You Apply
Your TrustedHousesitters profile is basically your sitter CV.
Before applying for sits, make sure your profile gives hosts enough reasons to trust you. A host is not just offering you a place to stay. They are trusting you with their pets, their home, their routine, and sometimes very specific instructions.
Your profile should explain who you are, why you want to house sit, what your travel style is, and what experience you have with animals.
If you are applying as a couple, make that clear too. In our case, we always explained that we travel together, what we do for work, and what our routine looks like.
A strong profile should include:
- who you are;
- whether you are applying solo, as a couple, or as a family;
- your experience with pets;
- your work or travel routine;
- why you want to house sit;
- what makes you responsible and reliable;
- photos that show you genuinely like animals.
Photos matter more than people think. Use photos that show you with pets, if you have them. They do not need to be perfect or professional. They just need to help the host see that you are comfortable around animals.
Also, be honest about your motivation. It is okay to say that house sitting helps you travel more affordably, but that should not be the only reason. Hosts want to know that you care about the pets too.
Use External Reviews If You Do Not Have TrustedHousesitters Reviews Yet
One of the best things you can do when starting is to use external reviews.
When we started, TrustedHousesitters allowed us to ask people outside the platform to leave a reference. You could send a link to someone whose pet you had cared for before, even if that person was a friend or family member.
That external review would then appear on your profile.
This helped us because, even though we had no internal reviews yet, we could still show that someone trusted us with their pet before.
Our external reviews were simple. We asked a friend and a family member to write about how we treated their pets. It was not complicated. The point was just to show that we had some experience and that we were capable of caring for animals.
If you are starting from zero, think about people who could honestly say something about your experience with pets.
It could be:
- a friend whose dog you helped care for;
- a family member whose cat you looked after;
- a neighbor whose pet you visited;
- someone whose home or pet you were responsible for in the past.
The review does not need to make you sound like a professional pet sitter. It just needs to help build trust.
Apply to Several Sits Instead of Waiting for One Perfect Listing
When you are new, do not apply to only one sit and wait.
Apply to several listings that genuinely match your profile, your dates, and your ability to care for the pets properly.
In the beginning, some hosts may take time to reply. That does not always mean you were rejected. Sometimes people are busy, still reading applications, or waiting before making a decision.
This can be frustrating when you have specific dates, but it is part of the process.
When we started, we applied to different sits until we got accepted. We were not rejected all the time. The main thing I noticed was that some people took longer to answer, and because we had specific dates, we could not wait forever.
Choose Your First Sit Strategically
Your first sit does not need to be your dream destination.
It needs to be a good opportunity to start building trust.
We chose our first sit in Leeds because it matched the dates we needed, and it was a longer sit. We stayed for five weeks, which made sense for us because we prefer slow travel and longer stays.
A longer sit can be a good first opportunity because it gives you more time in one place and can make the effort of applying, traveling, and settling in feel more worth it.
But the best first sit depends on your situation.
When choosing your first TrustedHousesitters sit, look for listings that match:
- your available dates;
- your real experience with pets;
- your travel style;
- the level of responsibility you can handle;
- the location you can realistically reach;
- the length of stay you want;
- the routine described by the host.
If you are just starting, it may be smarter to choose a sit that feels manageable instead of applying only for the most popular destinations.
For example, a sit in a less competitive location may be a better first opportunity than a highly competitive listing in central London, Paris, or another very popular city.
Write a Short but Personal Application Message
Your application message does not need to be extremely long.
It should be clear, personal, and specific to that listing.
The structure we used was simple:
- introduce ourselves;
- explain that we travel as a couple;
- mention what we do for work;
- explain our remote work routine;
- briefly mention our experience with pets;
- explain why we were a good fit for that specific sit;
- mention the pets by name;
- close politely.
We always mentioned that we worked remotely because, in our case, it was true and relevant. It showed the host that we would spend time at home and that the pets would not be left alone all day.
That does not mean every sitter needs to work remotely. But your message should explain your real routine so the host understands how their pets would fit into your day.
The most important part is showing that you read the listing.
If the host mentions the pets’ names, use them. If they ask for something specific, answer it. If they say the dog needs long walks, explain whether that works for you. If they say the cat needs medication, only apply if you are comfortable with that responsibility.
A good application message should not feel copied and pasted.
Read the Listing Carefully Before You Apply
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is applying without properly reading the listing.
This is a problem because many hosts include specific instructions in the description. They may ask you to mention the pets by name, confirm that you are comfortable with a certain routine, or explain your experience with a specific type of animal.
If you ignore those details, your application immediately looks weaker.
Before applying, read the full listing and check:
- the pets’ names;
- the pets’ routine;
- feeding instructions;
- walking needs;
- medication or special care;
- whether the pets can be left alone;
- house responsibilities;
- transport options;
- location;
- dates;
- anything the host specifically asks applicants to mention.
Then write your message based on that sit.
This does not mean you need to write a completely new essay every time. You can have a basic structure. But each message should be adapted to the listing.
Is It Easier to Start With Cats or Dogs?
I do not think there is one rule for everyone.
Our first sit was with two cats, and in general, cats can be more independent than dogs. That can make some cat sits feel calmer, especially for a first experience.
But that does not mean cat sits are always easier. Some cats need medication, special feeding routines, or more attention. Some dogs are very easygoing. It depends on the pet, the host’s expectations, and the routine.
For beginners, the best first sit is not necessarily “cats instead of dogs” or “dogs instead of cats.”
The best first sit is one where:
- you understand the responsibilities;
- you are comfortable with the pet routine;
- the dates work for you;
- you can follow the host’s instructions;
- you feel confident you can do a good job.
If you have more experience with cats, start with cats. If you have more experience with dogs, start with dogs. The point is to choose something you can handle well.
Do a Great Job So Your First Review Helps You Get More Sits
Getting your first sit is important, but doing a great job during that sit is even more important.
Your first review can help you get your next sit. That means the experience should be good not only for you, but also for the host and the pets.
Take the responsibilities seriously. Follow the routine, send updates, keep the house in good condition, and communicate clearly if anything happens.
A good review is not just about being “nice.” It is about showing that you were reliable, respectful, attentive, and capable of caring for the pets properly.
In our case, this made a big difference. After we got our first review, the next sits became much easier. Over time, we built a strong profile with 5-star reviews, and now we sometimes receive invitations from hosts without even applying.
That is why your first sit should not be treated as free accommodation. It is the beginning of your reputation on the platform.
What Happens After You Get Your First Sit?
After your first sit, everything can become easier.
Once you have a review inside TrustedHousesitters, future hosts have more proof that you are reliable. Your profile becomes stronger, your applications carry more weight, and you can start applying for better or more competitive sits.
That does not mean you will get accepted for every sit. But you are no longer starting from zero.
For us, the first sit opened the door to many others. We went from having no internal reviews to building enough trust that we could travel for months through house sitting.
At one point, we spent nine months without paying for accommodation because we were moving from one sit to another.
That did not happen because of luck only. It happened because we kept doing a good job, getting good reviews, and treating each sit as a real responsibility.
FAQ About Getting Your First House Sit on TrustedHousesitters
Can you get a TrustedHousesitters sit without reviews?
Yes, you can get a sit without internal TrustedHousesitters reviews. We got our first sit in Leeds without any reviews inside the platform. What helped us was having a complete profile, using external reviews, applying to several sits, and writing personalized messages.
Are external reviews enough to get started?
External reviews can help a lot when you are starting. They show that someone outside the platform can confirm you have cared for pets before. They may not be as strong as reviews from previous TrustedHousesitters hosts, but they are much better than having no proof at all.
Is the UK a good place to start house sitting?
In my experience, yes. The UK can be a good place to start because house sitting is already quite common there, and there are many opportunities. Our first sit was in Leeds, England, and it was a good starting point for us.
Does it get easier after your first TrustedHousesitters sit?
Yes, it usually gets easier after your first sit, especially if you receive a good review. After our first sit, getting accepted became much simpler. Reviews build trust, and over time, a strong profile can even lead to invitations from hosts.
TrustedHousesitters Review and Resources
If you are still deciding whether the platform is right for you, you can read my full TrustedHousesitters review, where I explain what the platform is, how it works, and whether I think it is worth it after using it for years.
You can also check my travel resources page for other tools and platforms I use while traveling long-term.
How to Get Your First House Sit on TrustedHousesitters: Final Thoughts
Learning how to get your first house sit on TrustedHousesitters is mostly about building trust before you have internal reviews. A strong profile, external references, personalized applications, and choosing the right first sit can make a big difference.
But the first sit is not the final goal. The real goal is to do a good job, receive a strong review, and make the next sits easier. That is how you go from being a beginner with no internal reviews to becoming a trusted sitter with more opportunities.