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10 Best
Pet Sitting
of 2024
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Pet Sitting 

Rover.com pet-sitting website in-depth review.


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.6 / 5 (Excellent)
99 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Rover.com is a website that connects pet parents with loving, local dog sitters. It’s the country’s largest network of dog lovers for hire, with over 25,000 pet sitters nationwide who can easily be accessed online. Services offered by pet sitters include dog hosting (the sitter watches the dog in their home), dog sitting (the sitter watches the dog in the owner’s home), dog walking, and dog daycare. Rover.com also offers premium insurance, 24/7 support, and a reservation guarantee, at no extra cost.

Availability: (Nationwide)

Pet Sitter Rates
$25 per day average

Payment Options

Credit card (Visa, MasterCard)
PayPal

Pet Sitting Location

Pet Hosting (In the Owner's Home)
Pet Hosting (In the Sitter’s Home)

Pet Services

Dog boarding
Day care
Pet sitting
Dog walking
Transportation

Setting an Appointment

Self-Service: Online

Search sitters, send messages, book and pay, all through Rover.

Full-service: Telephone

Call Rover Premier, and a consultant will handle the details, matching pet parents with the best sitter to meet their needs.

Pet Insurance – Included with all services

Universal insurance coverage for stays and services booked on Rover

Medical coverage

$25,000
$250 deductible per claim

General liability (Bodily injury and property damage)

$2,000,000 per occurrence
$3,000,000 general aggregate
No deductible

Professional liability

$1,000,000 per occurrence
$1,000,000 general aggregate
No deductible

Fine Print

Limited one-time refund

Requests for refunds should be sent within 48 hours of the end of your pet’s stay. This excludes any fees payable to Pet Care Service Providers. In cases where Rover.com determines that a Pet Care Service Provider violated policies in connection with a service, Rover.com may provide pet owners a refund of all fees charged by Rover.com.

Identity and Background Verification

Rover.com does not attempt to confirm any user’s purported identity or background. Users are responsible for providing true, accurate, current and complete information about themselves. Users are advised to maintain and update any information so it remains true, accurate and complete at all times. Rover.com offers optional background checks through a partnership with First Advantage that verifies that a sitter has not committed a felony or violent crime, such that there would be reason to believe that animals would be in danger while in their care. Rover.com does not investigate any user’s reputation, conduct, morality, criminal background or verify information submitted though the services.

Cancellations

If you book a reservation with a sitter, then you have to cancel your reservation, which does happen, Rover.com will return the funds to the pet owner in accordance with the sitter's cancellation policy. Policies may vary from sitter-to-sitter. Rover.com, however, isn't obligated to intervene in any dispute between users regarding any cancellations and/or refunds outside of Rover.com cancellation policy (if any), regardless of whether Rover.com collected any money on behalf of a pet care service provider or third party service provider. It's really about you knowing how the sitter you choose operates, then being respectful with your sitter in the event that an unforeseen emergency comes up or your travel plans change last minute.   

Rover.com Summary

Rover.com is an excellent gateway for pet parents searching for pet-sitting services. Its nationwide network of over 25,000 loving pet sitters makes it the most extensive online database of its kind. It’s easy-to-use messaging system and secure payment portal allows pet parents to find, book, and pay for a sitter—and remain in touch throughout the stay. Rover.com offers premium pet insurance which includes medical coverage, general, and professional liability, giving pet parents an extra layer of protection. With Rover.com, loving neighborhood sitters are backed by the support and security of a nationwide company. Overall, Rover.com is a robust yet simple tool for helping pet parents connect seamlessly with pet-sitting services.


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Customer Comments

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Diane W
3/22/2019
We employed Rover to walk our dog at the Grand Canyon while we went hiking for two days. On only the second walk, the walker dropped our dog's leash (a 9 pound chihuahua), he ran, and he was eaten by animals in the woods. When we heard he had gotten away, we rushed back (ruined our vacation reserved for 13 months, which is the least of it), and searched for two days before we found his bloody harness and leash not far away from where she lost him. Rover obviously does not train their people on the simplest of safety precautions. I would never hire them to walk a dog. We are heartbroken and don't want anyone else to go through this.
9 People found this helpful.


Donna B
12/5/2017
Donna Benard 13 hrs · Biloxi · So very random but BEWARE because I just used Rover.com to get a sitter and here's my experience. Just say no. I know this is long but y'all should be aware. Rover is ignorant once they are paid. They tried telling me their sitters are independent contractors but reality is I paid Rover and they took 20% of this job so my contract is with them not the contractor. I warned them this would be posted. https://www.rover.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Benard Dec 1, 1:40 AM PST I already called you when I was away based on what I was seeing through my home cameras. This first question to all sitters I did meet and greets with (8-10) was I needed... Read More
9 People found this helpful.


J
J.W.
1/16/2019
I was a sitter for Rover and had 5 star reviews, always happy customers but they dumped me because I wouldn't take every dog into my care when the clients refused a meet and greet first, which is ESSENTIAL to make sure the dog is somewhat mannered and if he might get along well with other dogs or wasn't going to pee on the floor (there is NO excuse when it is not a puppy) or destroys property. They expected me to take every client regardless and didn't like that I rejected dogs with major violence/behavior issues and blamed me when clients didn't return emails. They are also lying when they say they do a background check.
8 People found this helpful.


R
Rebecca D
12/30/2018
ROVER customer service is terrible. The walkers are great and setting up the customers are great but the customer service team don't care about your dog at all. If something happens to your dog rover can care less! I had to drop in on a dog twice a day, who was kept in a tiny room by her self 23 hours a day. She was eating paint, legos and other stuff. She would pee herself and freak out during the walks. I had to bring my wife to help me because one person could not handle it. When the owners asked us to cage her for 23 hours a day we called rover because we felt as if the situation was not good for the dog. We were afraid she would hurt herself or get sick from the stuff she ate. When I... Read More
7 People found this helpful.


G
Geralyn C
9/6/2018
If I could leave zero stars I would. My dog died in the care of a Rover pet sitter. The sitter was allowed to mis-represent their address for weeks after receiving several complaints. They also repeatedly denied my request for reimbursement of my veterinarian bills, even after I provided the documentation they requested. This company is all about money and does not care whatsoever about the services provided to their clients.
7 People found this helpful.


Kate D
3/27/2019
I have had positive and negative interactions with Rover. I am scoring them as a 1 star due to the most recent interaction where my at home pet sitter damaged items in my apartment, and my claim was denied stating it was normal wear and tear. A large chip out of the porcelain stove top is not normal wear and tear. I asked to pursue this further and was denied by the customer service rep, Ernest S.
6 People found this helpful.


J
jason
3/13/2019
A rover sitter killed our dog and tried to cremate her before anyone even contacted us! The worst company I can't believe consumersadvocate back these greedy dog killing evil people.
6 People found this helpful.


jnahrzog
9/8/2019
Rover is a terrible service. Their platform is so confusing - you can hardly see if the services have been booked. Cancelling a service is even harder. You have to confirm through a representative via email and they act like they don't understand, making you repeat yourself over and over again that you don't need the service. I also know that they take a large percentage away from the pet sitter/walker, so they end up getting very little pay and pet owners end up paying inflated prices. Horrible idea with an even worse platform/customer service.
5 People found this helpful.


lwark
8/14/2019
I hired a sitter via Rover in May. The sitter, Kirra, came to my home on 5/29 to meet my dogs. We did a walk-through of my home. During the walk-through, I showed her where the washer and dryer were located, opening (sliding) the doors of the laundry area, clearly not pulling them out. Kirra agreed to watch my dogs from July 3 to July 8. I asked Kirra to take care of my girls, most importantly that they not be left alone at night. I didn't mind if she stayed at my home or her home, as long as they weren't alone in the evening. I left instructions on the fridge as well, giving her info on their care and feeding. Kirra was thoughtful and washed the sheets and bedding she used, but I didn't... Read More
5 People found this helpful.


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joe
8/2/2019
Sitter lied about being a nonsmoker and when I showed up to drop the dogs off there was obvious evidence of smoking (despite me having done a meet a greet a week earlier so they intentionally deceived me). Rover refused to refund the full amount and only said they would refund according to the sitter's policy. They also said they have no control over it.
5 People found this helpful.



Top Rated
  • Over 25,000 pet sitters nationwide
  • Complimentary premium pet insurance
  • 24/7 support and Rover reservation guarantee
  • Sitter background checks
  • On-call veterinary assistance
  • Daily photo updates of your pet via free mobile app (IOS & Android)