Dog waiting patiently at home
    For Sitters

    What to Do When a Homeowner Does Not Reply to Your House-Sitting Application

    4 min readJuly 29, 2026By Sitterly Team

    A homeowner may be travelling, overwhelmed by applications, still deciding on dates or simply no longer looking. Silence is not useful, but it does not mean you should put your life on hold. Treat every application as open until both sides confirm it in writing.

    A professional approach

    1. Send one tailored application that answers the listing, rather than a generic template.
    2. If there is no reply after a reasonable time, send one short follow-up.
    3. Keep applying for sits that genuinely suit you.
    4. Do not commit travel or turn down another confirmed sit until you have a written agreement.
    5. Withdraw politely when you are no longer available.

    Make your application easier to answer

    Mention your availability, experience with the specific pet, location, transport and why the routine works for you. A homeowner should be able to see quickly whether a call makes sense. Our profile guide can help you make that first message stronger.

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    Sitterly Team

    Sitterly Editorial

    The Sitterly editorial team writes practical guides and industry insights for Australia's pet-loving community, drawing on platform data, the experiences of homeowners and sitters using Sitterly, and the realities of the Australian pet-care market in 2026.

    Published by Sitterly, a new Australian platform for in-home pet sitting. About the editorial team →

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