u/maurwhal

Hello,

I was potentially looking into this service since I moved to the city and have pet guinea pigs I may need taken care of once or twice a year when me and my partner travel. I previously would board them at a rescue and haven't found a comparable option here.

I wanted some honest opinions from this sub about whether or not you think this service is right for me.

PRO: I live in a highly desirable area of NYC (downtown Manhattan, close to lots of different train lines), so I imagine it wouldn't be difficult to get a sitter. I could be picky to make sure I choose someone with previous experience caring for guinea pigs.

CON: I live in studio with no closet space. So I have no extra rooms or areas where I can lock away any possessions. Also this means a stranger would be sleeping in my bed. I would have to take down cameras i use monitor the pigs.

Are apartment stays very common? Or is the norm here to stay in at least a two bedroom property and sleep in a guest room? Would a potential sitter be offended if I were to literally lock some cabinets/areas? Should I assume most people who want to do a sit in NYC would probably be out and about a lot so not really lingering in my space?

I realize whether I use someone who is a pet sitter from a different app or someone from this app, I will be allowing a stranger full access to my space. I thought THS would be an attractive option since it seems like a fair trade, but having to pay to join, part of me thinks it would be easier to just hire a pet sitter since guinea pigs would not need more than 2 hours of care over the course of a week.

Two weeks into hand washing my fleece, I have realized it is not sustainable.

I am able to wash them okay but without a spin cycle it's taking forever to dry. I have tried writing them out as best as I can but since these are huge liners I'm running into issues.

I live in an apartment with no washing machine and no access to a space where I could put the liners outside to help them dry. I am currently just putting them all in a drying rack in my shower while I run a fan.

I've realized I need some kind of washing machine or other contraction to help me get the water out of the liner and then let them air dry.

I have no issues washing the small cuddle cuffs or other small items by hand. It is the 2x4 premium guinead liners and even the regular Midwest guineadad liners that are causing issues.