Is Rover Safe for Dog Owners? My Honest Experience Using Rover

1 week ago 4

If you’re wondering whether Rover is safe or worth using, here’s my honest Rover pet sitting review based on my experience hiring someone to watch our dogs.

I have been using the Rover Pet Sitting App for several years now and we LOVE it!

I wanted to tell you all about my experiences with this app, and how you can get $20 free to give it a try today!

We have always used family members to come and watch our dogs when we had to go out of town.

Ever since we moved it has become harder and harder to convince anyone to make the hour drive out to check on the dogs, no matter how much money we tried to bribe them with.

A couple of years ago we decided it was time to come up with a new solution for our trip to California.

What Is Rover and How Does It Work?

Rover is a pet sitting marketplace that connects dog owners with local pet sitters and dog walkers. Through the Rover website or app, pet owners can browse sitter profiles, read reviews, message sitters, and book services like drop-in visits, overnight house sitting, or boarding.

We had heard about a pet sitting service from a friend and decided to see if there was someone available in our area.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Rover is a safe and reliable way to hire a dog sitter, here’s what my experience was like using the app.

I did a quick search and up popped Audrey, the worlds best pet sitter extraordinaire!

To be honest, I was a bit nervous to have a stranger coming into my home to care for my furbabies, but I was desperate. I had planned a 5-day trip to visit my son out in California and I couldn’t just cancel it.

So I sent her a quick message and prayed I wasn’t making a mistake.

She responded back pretty quickly and we set up a date for us all to meet. The meeting went so well and I could tell right away that my dogs were going to love her!

Since that first trip was such a huge success, we booked her for our last trip to Tennessee too!

My conversation with a pet sitter from the Rover app. My Completely Honest Rover Pet Sitting App Review

Why I Chose Rover to Watch My Dogs

I receive a text from Audrey each time she visits the dogs.

I love the updates she sends me about each dog during every visit. The photos are an added bonus, that leaves me feeling so confident that we have made the best choice for our pets.

Pictures of family pet from the Rover app pet sitter.

What is the Rover App?

It’s pretty simple to use Rover. Just sign in and set up your own account. This is where you’ll also enter all of the info about each of your pets.

You can choose exactly what you are looking for and read reviews for all of the sitters that match your criteria.

My Completely Honest Rover Pet Sitting App Review

You are assigned a Rover number so that you can text or call your sitter without sharing your personal phone number with them.

I’m not exactly sure how it works, but all of the texts come straight to my phone, even though it uses a completely different phone number to send them.

How to Use the Rover App

Once you’ve set up your free account, you can log in and search for a pet sitter near you.

After you’ve read through some of the profiles near you and find a sitter you think will be a great fit, you just go ahead and send them a message through the app to begin the booking process.

If that sitter is available you will book and pay securely through the website or app. I love that everything is done and tracked through the app.

I can honestly say that finding our pet sitter on the Rover App has been such a blessing for us.

Was Rover Safe and Reliable?

I love that the sitters have to pass a basic background check, provide a detailed profile and personal information before they are approved by the Rover team of sitter specialists.

Plus one of the biggest benefits of using Rover is that you get the Rover Guarantee, 24/7 support, and reservation protection.

You can find all of the specifics about the Guarantee, including what’s covered, how it works, and frequently asked questions on Rover.com.

A woman smiles while putting a leash on a Golden Retriever next to a green "Rover" bag filled with pet supplies, highlighting Rover Pet Sitting, as they get ready for an outing from the sofa.

Pros and Cons of Using Rover

Pros

easy to browse sitters reviews and ratings secure payments

Cons

service fees availability may vary

FAQs

Is Rover safe for dog owners?

Rover can be a safe way to find pet sitters when you take the time to review sitter profiles carefully. Each sitter has a profile that includes reviews from other pet owners, ratings, and information about their experience with animals. Rover also offers background checks for many sitters and provides messaging through the app so you can communicate before booking. Many pet owners also choose to schedule a meet-and-greet first to make sure the sitter is a good fit for their dog.

How much does Rover cost for pet sitting?

The cost of hiring a dog sitter on Rover can vary depending on your location, the type of service, and the individual sitter’s rates. Many sitters set their own prices for services like drop-in visits, dog walking, or overnight stays. In general, drop-in visits might range from about $15–$30, while overnight pet sitting can range from $40–$75 or more depending on the area. Rover also adds a small service fee to the booking when you pay through the app.

Do Rover sitters stay overnight?

Some Rover sitters offer overnight pet sitting in your home, while others provide boarding where your dog stays at the sitter’s home. It depends on the services each sitter offers in their profile. If you prefer someone to stay overnight with your dog, you can filter your search to find sitters who offer house sitting services. This option can be helpful for dogs that are more comfortable staying in their own home.

How do you choose a good Rover dog sitter?

The best way to choose a Rover dog sitter is to carefully review their profile before booking. Look for sitters with strong reviews, repeat clients, and clear information about their experience with pets. Many pet owners also schedule a meet-and-greet before the booking so both the sitter and the dog can get comfortable with each other. This extra step can help you feel more confident about leaving your pet in their care.

Can you meet a Rover sitter before booking?

Yes, Rover allows pet owners to schedule a meet-and-greet before confirming a booking. This is a great way to make sure the sitter is a good fit for your dog and gives you the opportunity to ask questions about their experience, routines, and how they handle pet care. Many Rover sitters encourage this step because it helps build trust with pet owners.

What happens if there is a problem with a Rover booking?

If a problem occurs during a Rover booking, the platform has customer support available to help resolve issues. Rover also offers the Rover Guarantee, which can help cover certain unexpected costs related to pet care. Most issues can be avoided by communicating clearly with the sitter beforehand and reviewing their profile and reviews before booking.