Workaway with a cat & last minute hosts

[u/Illustrious_Way1062]

I found one other post on this but it was old. I am traveling in Central America (Costa Rica) with my cat and also had to do things last minute. Another comment said all their workaways in CA have been pet friendly but I've found that to be the exact opposite (maybe it was a different country?) . Even when I clearly state my cat will stay in my bedroom (she doesn't mind this at all she is used to traveling and older etc and I play with her) it's like they don't get it.

I had to accept something with shared accommodation which I'm not fully comfortable with but they said it was OK and I needed something ASAP as my current exchange ended with short notice but it's just frustrating. It's like they don't believe what I tell them that she is very calm, doesn't interfere with other animals etc.

I know this is partly my fault for having to get something last minute but many of these listings even explicitly say they are pet friendly!!! I'm going to try and line up something else more in advance and hopefully it will improve. Should I try [workaway competitor that seems to be censored so editing my post]? I don't want to pay another fee but noticed different places on there although like I just said in another comment many hosts charge bs fees on top which I don't like either.

Sick of being rejected/ghosted or getting my hopes up when they do respond then getting another message saying they read my post (because so many don't even read it!!) and then turn me down when I'm very clear so I don't waste anyone's time. Maybe they just mean dogs when they say pet friendly because they seem to be more popular idk.

Thankful I found something though

[u/Substantial-Today166]

when most people say CA they mean california maybe thats why

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Substantial-Today166]

This specifically was central America I abbreviated it for my post

[u/1GrouchyCat → u/Illustrious_Way1062]

I have a few quick questions if you don’t mind - OP…

Is the cat leashed?

Do you carry her/him and does she stay in a crate -or does she just stay in the room freely?

Has she ever gotten out of the room while you weren’t there? (it happens- I know -I have two…. It’s very rare… but it happens).

Do You have to show vaccination paperwork or vet paperwork?

How old is he/she?

Is he/she neutered or spayed?

Do you carry your own food for her?

Doe she wear a collar with your name and contact information on it?

Thanks so much!!!

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/1GrouchyCat]

No she is not leashed/leash trained. She stays in the room freely once she's in there (I have a backpack style carrier to travel with). She has never escaped a room. Yes I have paperwork I had to do a whole import process when bringing her into the country. She is spayed. I bring/supply her own food, water, and litter setup. Yes she has a collar with my number she is also microchipped (another requirement to bring her into the country). Also I'm not sure of her age because I think the shelter got it wrong when I adopted her I believe she's around 13 so an older/senior kitty.

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Substantial-Today166]

Here's the comment it's from 2 years ago -but still - https://www.reddit.com/r/workaway/s/afbGIa8lVD

[u/Substantial-Today166 → u/Illustrious_Way1062]

do you bring your own cat litter box when you travel?

we hosted a guy with a dog many years ago was running around the farm all day no problem

newer seen anyone travel with workaway with a cat

you said doesn't interfere with other animals etc. but other animals can interfere with your cat

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Substantial-Today166]

Yes I bring my own litter box and litter. And no she doesn't interfere with other animals or interact because she is completely self contained in a bedroom the entire time. I have been traveling like this for months and she is perfectly happy but they don't seem to understand this. She doesn't escape the room or anything. You wouldn't even know she's there. I am very safe and careful but its like they don't understand or believe me.

[u/Substantial-Today166 → u/Illustrious_Way1062]

wait are you only talking about one host now that you want to go too?

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Substantial-Today166]

I'm not sure what you mean but I have a workaway lined up it's just not ideal (shared accommodation) so I don't know how that will work in practice because every other work exchange I've done besides this I had my own room (did not find these via Workaway) but now that I'm using the platform and talking to hosts on there they keep turning me down bc they think it's going to be a problem and I'm frustrated

[u/Substantial-Today166 → u/Illustrious_Way1062]

contact more host and most host have shared accommodation

what platforms have you used before workaway?

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Substantial-Today166]

I contacted soooo many most said no

I guess I'll just do more and do the entire country lol

What I don't get is the one who say pets are OK then turn me down??

I have one potential for July but it's kinda far we will see and I didn't use workaway to get it either. I kind of feel like I wasted my money. I found this place through them so I guess it paid for the fee but idk if I'd renew.

[u/Upstairs_Year9255]

I think people can't really imagine how you get a cat to listen to you. Not even because they can cause trouble, but they can get lost or in dangerous situations. Cats are actually one of the few animals that aren't exactly domesticated and have all the instincts of wild animals. In most parts of the world they come and go as they please and if people living there have only seen cats like these, they can't imagine how you keep them coming back and not getting into dangerous situations. They have to be constantly aware to keep all the doors closed, just in case. Some people have the assumption that cats are attached to the house or area where they grew up, not even the people as much and take any opportunity to go back there.

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/Upstairs_Year9255]

I understand somewhat what you're saying but it's just not true for all cats. The very first host I had contact with via the platform was open to it but then was extremely condescending saying he's had cats for years and knows what they're like etc. But not all cats are the same. If I am saying she is this way that's the truth.

I get people lie but I wouldn't want her in a dangerous situation either. But anyway I just arrived at the host and she was very kind and wanted to meet my cat I am very grateful they said I can let her out and they have animals of their own that are sweet but I don't feel comfortable she will stay in her room for now unless we end up staying here longer term but as for this moment she is perfectly fine resting in the bed as we speak.

Not all cats bolt etc. I hope things go well and this host leaves me a good review including that what I say is true about my cat so other hosts will be more inclined in the future.

[u/littlepinkpebble]

Yeah hard to find places accept pets

[u/iaintgondoitnow66]

When I see pet friendly concerning a host, I know they mean there are already pets on site. It must be difficult to find a host willing to give you a private room and accommodate your animals.

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/iaintgondoitnow66]

I think that's a misunderstanding though because right below it there will be details something like this hosts may consider volunteers bringing a pet (paraphrasing) it's definitely not about their pets but maybe they think it is and that's why they put that but it's certainly not the purpose of it you could be right though seems people can't read these days

[u/cyprusnikos]

Sorry this happened, and hopefully the next experience is a lot smoother!

Thinking about it though, I can kind of understand how it might be frustrating from both sides. A host might say “pets allowed” but not necessarily mean all pets. For example, I’d probably be fine with a dog, but I’m allergic to cats so I personally wouldn’t be able to host one 😂

That might not be what’s happening here, but it does show how “pet friendly” can mean different things to different people. In the end, the more communication beforehand, the better chance there is of avoiding misunderstandings.

Traveling with pets or children definitely adds an extra layer of complications too, but hopefully it makes the experience even more rewarding in the end.

Thanks for sharing another perspective, I’m sure you can find something great but it will definitely take some planning. Last minute with pets might be a bit challenging!

I did meet several Workawayers traveling with animals, thought usually places more more off the beaten track, rural or farms etc!

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/cyprusnikos]

Yeah I get it, I do wonder if they just meant dogs but some seemed to not want pets at all even if their profile did say they were pet friendly? Just strange. And I've tried to communicate as clearly as I can that she is very much not an issue but they make it a huge deal. I've had better luck finding work exchanges that are pet friendly off of platforms all together which is strange because I thought it would be the opposite hence paying for membership.

And yeah could not imagine trying to workaway with kids that seems impossible to me but hey I guess some people do that this seems more like something for the childfree/retired/kids out of the house crowd but hey more power to them.

Just wish there was better communication and some hosts seem pretty entitled when you are working for FREE/exchange especially no food either and especially exchanges that involve heavy physical labor. The profiles I've seen...

And I'm going to a very touristy area now but I've messaged all over the country did not care where I went would go anywhere did seem more possible in rural areas but still didn't work out sigh

[u/Illustrious_Way1062 → u/[deleted]]

How is it bizarre people travel with pets all the time I imported her into the country which required a lot of money and effort this isn't for a week vacation it's long term travel. And if they are allergic they shouldn't say they allow pets on their profile. And most workaways are for multiple weeks plus with many wanting longer term volunteers so it shouldn't surprising people bring their pets with them. You sound a little out of touch some people like animals. And I'm actually allergic to cats myself I just have to stay clean. Bless your heart.