The Ups and Downs of Rover Dogsitting

During the pandemic when we were all frantically searching for side hustles, I found my calling. I could play with dogs and get paid for it?! What kind of fairy tale magic had I somehow unleashed?

I signed up, booked my first gig, and I’m going strong to this day. It’s been a few years now, and I’ve learned some dos and don’ts along the way. If you’re considering signing up to be a Rover sitter, grab a chew toy, and settle in.

Create an eye-catching profile.

People want to learn about your animal care experience, your availability, and most importantly, your passion for pets.

Be sure to fill out every section with as much pertinent info as possible. Have you worked in a vet’s office before? Do you volunteer at your local shelter? Are you certified in animal CPR? Keep in mind the things you would want from someone if they were caring for your precious pets.

Offer as many services as you can.

Rover independent contractors can provide whichever duties they want such as Boarding, Housesitting, Walking, Drop-ins, Doggy Day Care, and any other add-ons you’re comfortable with (pet photography, grooming, training, pet transport, etc.)

Once you’ve decided which jobs you can do, set your prices. I’d recommend searching other sitters in your area to see what the going rates are for each task. You might want to start low so you can get initial bookings, keeping in mind you can always increase your rates later.

You definitely want to make it worth your time though. Rover charges the sitters a 20% maintenance fee per booking for using the app. This allows potential clients to find you, it covers insurance for the pets you’re watching, and it provides a safety net in case of emergencies if a back-up sitter is needed.

Set realistic expectations.

If you mark your radius for 25 miles, and you get a 30-minute drop-in visit, it might not be a good fit. You’ll need to factor in the drive time to and from the dog’s location (50 miles) plus the actual visit, and that can easily become a 90-minute job that you’re only getting paid a half hour for.

I’ve heard of so many people getting burned out because they spend more time in traffic than they do actually walking the doggos. Make sure each gig is worth your time and effort. You can establish those parameters when you set your zone and prices.

Along those same lines, double check client requests for accuracy before you reply that you’re available. Sometimes new users don’t fully understand the app yet, and they might accidentally request a drop-in visit rather than housesitting or only list one pet instead of all their furry family members. Responding with something such as, ”I’m available those dates, but just to be sure we’re on the same page, will all three dogs need to be walked? If so, I’m happy to modify the request to reflect the updates.”

Reply to all messages.

A good tip is to turn on your notifications so you know when a new request comes through. I have them set on my iPhone as a badge, also as a text, and an email. I don’t want to miss any opportunities, and your response time is shown on your profile. Pet owners want someone who’s responsive and accessible.

Even if you can’t accept an inquiry, let them know you’re unavailable. Then, you’ll need to note why in the app’s archive. Reasons could be that you’re not free, the home is outside of your service area, the owner no longer needs a sitter, etc. The more jobs you take, the higher your profile will appear in the search results.

Another good tip to work the algorithm in your favor is to update your calendar at least daily. I do it multiple times a day, and I get at least one offer each day.

Always do a meet & greet.

Depending on whether you’ll be boarding (at your house) or house sitting (at client’s home), it’s smart to meet in advance at that location. If you’re uncomfortable going to a stranger’s place, turn your location settings on your phone and alert a friend that you’ll be at that specific address for a certain amount of time (around 30 min). Let them know you’re safe afterward.

During the walk-through, you’ll meet the pets you plan to watch and learn their habits. If they’ll be at your house, it’s also good for them to meet any animals you have as well. Take notes. When does the dogger eat? How much? Where’s the food located? Do they take meds? Where do they sleep? Do they get crated when you leave, or do they roam freely? Is there a key box or alarm code you’ll need to know? I also ask where to leave the key when I’m finished so there are no extra trips needed.

When I’m housesitting for more than a few days, I also ask if there are any workers expected during that time. I’ve had repairmen show up while the owner was away, and I wasn’t comfortable letting them into someone else’s home without permission. So, I called her and she said she had forgotten to mention that he was booked to come by and fix something.

Send pix.

I always ask owners if they want a lot of photos/videos or just a daily check in. Some people don’t want their phones blowing up while they’re on vacation, and others love all the derpy photo shoots.

When you’re doing a walk or a drop-in visit, the app will require you to fill out a Rover card. It’s basically a report card/recap of the visit, and the file will be sent to the owner after the service. It entails if the dogs ate, drank, pottied, and you can include photos. It also marks the start and end time (and shows GPS on walks) so it’s never a good idea to cut an appointment short.

Owners leave public reviews after your service, and nobody wants to pay for something they don’t get. Imagine signing up for an hour-long massage, but you only got 40 minutes. You would be unhappy as well. Always overdeliver to ensure they’ll continue using you for their doggy needs.

Don’t leave messes.

Treat other people’s homes (and pups- duh!) like you would treat your own. Check the mail, bring in packages, don’t leave behind dirty dishes, dump your trash, straighten pillows, clean up spills, strip the sheets or make the bed depending on client’s preferences.

Think about how you feel after traveling. You want to come home and relax. The last thing you want to do is clean someone else’s crap, so tidy up before you leave. This is another way to boost your chances of getting a good review.

If you’re wanting a side gig, and you love animals, Rover is a great way to earn some extra cash. You get paid two days after the service is completed. You can sign up here.

If you’re a pet parent who’s never used Rover, here’s a promo code you can use to get $20 off your first service— anywhere in the U.S.! Rover promo code: SYBILS98720

Here’s to many wags and woofs in your future!