Rover Review 2023: Make Money Pet Sitting

So you’re thinking about making some extra money by pet sitting and you’re wondering what’s the best way? Rover is a great place to start! Rover offers an online marketplace for pet care services that lets you set rates and availability. You have the option of providing a variety of services including dog walking, pet sitting, and boarding, and with Rover taking care of collecting payment, you’re always paid on time. More than one million pet owners use Rover for booking pet care, so it’s a great place to start making money by taking care of pets. 

What Is Rover?

Rover is a company that operates an online marketplace for people to buy and sell pet care services, including pet sitting, dog boarding, and dog walking. They connect pet parents with a nationwide network of dog lovers who are interested in providing pet care services. Rover.com was founded in 2011 in Seattle, Washington. 

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How Does Rover Work?

Once you sign up and are approved as a pet sitter with Rover, you’ll have access to a nationwide network of pet parents that need caring providers of services for their pets. You’ll have the option to decide what types of pet care services you’d like to provide including walks, dog boarding, house sitting, doggy daycare, and drop-in pet sitting. 

If you decide to offer dog walking, you’ll receive a notification on the Rover app whenever an owner near your home requests a walk. You can also browse all walk requests in your city. You may receive a “Now” request that starts within 30 minutes or a “Later” request that is scheduled sometime in the future. If you want to accept the job, you’ll indicate your acceptance in the app and then go to the client’s home at the requested date and time.

If you decide to offer dog care options like boarding, doggie daycare, or drop-in pet sitting you can create a calendar on Rover to showcase your availability. Once a potential client requests to book your services, you can either accept the job right away or arrange a meet and greet first to ensure it’s a good fit.

After services are complete, payments are ready for withdrawal from Rover two days later.

What Do Rover Sitters Do?

There are five primary services Rover pet sitters have the option to offer including boarding, dog walking, doggy daycare, house sitting, and drop-in pet sitting.

As a pet sitter with Rover, you can always set your schedule and prices, as well as selecting the size, age, and other pet preferences that work best for you. You can offer any combination of the pet care services available on the site. 

With Rover, you have the option to let clients come to you and request services based on your profile and availability or you can proactively seek out available walks that currently need to be filled by a sitter in your area.

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How to Become a Rover Sitter

To get signed up as a pet sitter with Rover, you’ll need to first create an account and submit your profile for approval. To complete your profile you’ll add information about your pet care experience and upload photos of yourself, your pets (if applicable), and request testimonials from past clients or friends/family members.

This is also the point at which you’ll pick at least one type of pet care service that you’ll offer to clients and fill out some initial information about your offer including pet preferences, rates, and your availability. Next, you’ll complete a safety quiz and order a background check through Rover that costs $25 to $35 depending on the type that you request. 

Your profile will need to be a Rover team member before you can start accepting jobs. Once it’s been reviewed and accepted, Rover will send an email notification welcoming you as part of the community!

Rover Sitter Eligibility

Rover requires you to be 18 years old to become a sitter on Rover.

Other eligibility requirements for a Rover sitter include:

• Completing a profile with your pet care experience
• Uploading photos of yourself and your pets (if applicable)
• Requesting testimonials from past clients or friends/family
• Completing a background check
• Taking a safety quiz provided by Rover
• Having the latest version of the Rover app

If there are any local laws or regulations in your area for pet sitters, you’ll need to abide by them. 

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Sign Up & Approval Process

When signing up with Rover, you’ll first indicate which of the five primary pet care services that you’d like to offer through Rover. Depending on the exact service that you offer, you’ll need to make several decisions including:

1. Your rates
2. Maximum distance you’ll travel
3. Number of clients you can serve a day
4. What days and times you’re available 
5. Size and types of dogs and/or cats you’ll accept
6. Your cancellation policy

Then you’ll take the next steps in the Rover approval process which include: 

• Creating your profile including pet-care experience
• Posting photos of yourself and your pets (if you have any)
• Requesting testimonials of past clients 
• Taking a seven-minute safety quiz
• Passing a background check (you pay $25 to $35)

You’ll receive an email within 24-48 hours letting you know that you’ve either been approved or that there are additional steps you need to take. Rover suggests that you’ll receive faster approval if you use high-quality photos, write a good description of yourself and your services, and proofread everything.

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Which Services Can You Offer?

There are five primary pet care services that you can offer as a sitter with Rover.

1. Boarding — Boarders care for dogs and/or cats overnight in their homes. Rover notes that the people who provide this service are the highest earners on the platform.
2. Dog walking — Walkers accept walks that fit in their schedule, either right away within the next 30 minutes or scheduled for in the future.
3. Doggy daycare — This can be an ideal gig for people who work from home and can supervise dogs in their homes during the day.
4. House sitting — As a house sitter, you’ll temporarily live in your client’s home and take care of their pets and home while they are away.
5. Drop-in pet sitting —  With this option, the sitter drops in for multiple visits each day while the client is out of town.

Things Rover Offer Its Sitters

Rover offers its sitters support to ensure they can offer a high-quality service to their clients.

Every service booked through Rover is covered by The Rover Guarantee. This includes up to $25,000 in vet care for eligible claims related to injury to either the pet owners’ or the sitters’ pets. It also can include property damage coverage and some out-of-pocket medical expenses for third-party injuries.

Rover also offers 24/7 support to its sitters. They have a team of Trust & Safety specialists always available by phone to walk you through any situation. You can also access the Rover Help Center for answers to frequently asked questions that you may have as a sitter and Rover offers continuing pet care education to help you improve your skills.

The Rover app lets you take care of many tasks on the go including contacting clients, sending photo updates, receiving notifications of newly available walks, and accepting bookings. Your clients pay through Rover so you don’t have to worry about accepting payments yourself, and you can view your earnings and request the withdrawal of your money through the Rover app.

Things Rover Sitters Have to Consider

As a Rover sitter, you will be operating a business as an independent contractor. It’s important to understand the implications of what it means to own a business.

• Managing income taxes — Rover will not withhold any taxes for its sitters. You are responsible for managing your income taxes as an independent contractor.
• Paying self-employment taxes — As a business owner offering services through Rover, you will be responsible for reporting and paying your taxes.
• Paying for expenses — When you incur expenses such as fuel, parking, or pet supply costs, you will be responsible for paying those yourself.
• Paying for one-off expenses — If you are in an accident on your way to a pet sitting job or receive a parking ticket while taking care of a client’s dog, you will also be responsible for that type of expense.

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How Much Can You Make as a Rover Sitter?

According to Rover, sitters can make up to $1,000 per month working part-time, which could look like walking two to three dogs for two weeks each month. The amount you make will depend upon the rates you set and how many services you book and complete.

Glassdoor lists a Rover dog walker’s average pay at $17 per hour, however, it can range from $10 per hour to $31 per hour depending on your location and the type of services offered. 

According to Indeed, the average Rover dog walker’s hourly pay in the United States is approximately $18.32 per hour, which is 18% above the national average.

How to Maximize Earnings

• Offer more than one service — With five different categories of pet care services offered on Rover, it only makes sense that you’d make more money by offering multiple options to potential clients. 
• Focus on customer satisfaction — When clients are happy with your services, they will be more likely to book again, as well as give you great ratings and testimonials, which can make a difference when future clients are considering who to book.
• Answer messages quickly — Clients don’t want to be left waiting to book services or receive updates about their pets. By answering messages quickly, you instill confidence in clients that you’re the right person for the job. 
• Nurture repeat clients — It’s always easier to book a repeat client that already is familiar with your services, than having to convince a new one. Repeat clients can provide you with consistent income,  as well as potential referrals. 
• Take photos & videos of pets — Clients love to see their pets happy and having fun. By sending photos and videos of their pets, you’ll give your clients peace of mind, and increase the likelihood of repeat bookings and great tips. 

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Rover Sitter Pros

• Control your schedule — You are in full control of when and how much time you want to work. You can set up availability windows so people will only book services during your available work times.
• Flexibility with services and rates — You get to pick the types of pet care services that you offer, as well as the types of pets that you’ll accept. You also set your rates, but keep in mind that Rover takes 20%.
• No experience needed — If you love animals but do not have any work experience caring for them, you can still rely on your interactions with family or friends’ pets to get started.

Rover Sitter Cons

• Customers may find higher quality service elsewhere — Some pet owners will want their pets cared for by someone with more experience and qualifications than the average Rover pet sitter.
• Transportation costs — You’ll be responsible for your transportation for any services that are booked outside of your home. You’ll also be responsible for any related costs like fuel.
• High responsibility level — You are in a client’s home and taking care of their pets, which many people consider family members. You’ll be responsible for taking care of any issues that arise while your client is away. 

Rover Alternatives

If you’d like to offer your pet care services on another site in addition to Rover, you have several options.

Wag!

Wag! is an American pet care company that offers on-demand and scheduled dog walking, training, and other pet care services through its mobile platform. They consider themselves an “Uber” for pets. 

PetBacker.com 

PetBacker.com is a worldwide company that connects dog walkers, pet sitters, boarders, and groomers with pet owners in all major cities. It works by matching pet owner’s requests for services with pet service providers based on their skills, location, and availability.

Who Is Rover Best For?

Providing pet care services through Rover is best for those passionate about caring for animals, and has a good amount of open availability for pet owners to book future pet care, as well as the desire to pick up on-demand walks. Rover says that the people who offer boarding are those that make the most money, so if you have the space and the availability to board dogs and/or cats, that’s ideal.

You’ll want to be a person with a high level of integrity and responsibility so that you earn the trust of your clients and gain repeat bookings from happy clients. This is one of the best ways to maximize your earnings and gain referrals. 

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Rover Review FAQ

We’ve found some of the most frequently asked questions around the web about Rover, here are our answers.

Is Rover a Reliable Site?

Yes, Rover is a reliable site. They have been in business since 2011 and offer 24/7 on-call support to their pet sitters. Rover takes care of all money transactions with clients so that you can expect to be paid accurately and on time.

Can You Make Good Money with Rover?

Yes, you can make good money with Rover. According to the Rover website, you earn can up to $1,000 a month. Of course, the amount that you earn depends on the services that you offer, your rates, and how many clients you book.

Is It Worth Working for Rover?

Yes, it is worth working for Rover. Though the 20% service fee can be a little high with some services, you are still able to make money that surpasses your hourly wage at a typical job in most cases. 

Is the Rover Background Check Safe? 

Yes, the background check is safe. Rover background checks are conducted through Sterling, a reputable third-party provider of background checks.

Does Rover Charge Any Fees?

There are no ongoing fees to work through Rover, however, you are responsible to pay for a background check when signing up, which will cost $25 or $35.

How Much Do Dog Walkers Make on Rover?

According to Indeed.com, a Rover dog walker’s average hourly pay in the United States is approximately $18.32, which is 18% above the national average. Rover’s operations director Kristen Forecki, stated that part-time walkers can earn an average of $1,000 per month, which could look like walking two to three dogs for two weeks a month.

Is Rover Only for Dogs?

No, Rover is also for cats. You can offer boarding services that accept dogs or cats.

Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Money Earned on Rover?

Yes, as a pet sitter working through Rover you are an independent contractor that owns a business. So you will be responsible for keeping track of your taxes.

How Long Does It Take for Rover to Pay Its Sitters?

You will be paid two days after the service that you were hired for is completed. You have two options for payment: 1. PayPal and 2. Check.

• Payments redeemed via PayPal are released within 1-4 days, with no fees.
• Checks take up to 5 business days to process, up to 20 days to arrive, and incur a $2 fee.

Do You Need Insurance as a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter with Rover?

When you provide pet care through Rover, you will be covered by the Rover Guarantee, which provides up to $25,000 in vet care reimbursement for eligible claims related to injury to either the pet owner’s or sitter’s pets, as well as for property damage or injuries to third parties.

Final Thoughts

If you have a flexible schedule and enjoy working with animals, then pet sitting may be a great side gig option for you. With Rover, you can make money doing something you enjoy and it’s easy to set your hours. Once you develop a great working relationship with a few pet owners and build up a regular clientele, you’ll likely receive regular pet care requests which can turn into a consistent income for you. Decide if you’re best suited for boarding, walking, or pet sitting clients, and then set up your profile to see which opportunities in pet care come your way with Rover.

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