How to Make Money Pet Sitting on Rover

Recently I heard of this awesome business that I had to share with you guys. I know many of you guys are HUGE dog lovers, so I knew this site could be super useful to you all. I have an awesome friend who is well versed in Rover, a support community for dog lovers, who is going to share with you all you need to know about the site!

This could help you find a pet sitter, or better yet, help you get a job as a dog walker or pet sitter so you can start making some money! This site is awesome and I can’t wait for my friend Nat S. to share with you all you need to know!

What is​ Rover​?

Rover.com is a dynamic, supportive community of dog lovers. The site connects owners with dedicated, experienced caregivers who provide a range of services like pet-sitting and dog-walking. But it goes deeper than that.

At its heart, Rover gives you a way to expand the borders of your family. Whether you’re a busy owner who needs a trusted source of support or an experienced pet-sitter with a lot of love to give, Rover makes it possible to find exactly what you need.

Below, I’m going to go over a bit about how Rover works, how pet owners can benefit from it, and how you can use Rover to make money.

How Rover Works

When you sign up for Rover, you can set up a profile as a dog owner, dog sitter, or both. For sitters, Rover will run a background check to ensure the safety of the site’s users. Specialists determine whether a sitter’s level of experience qualifies them to provide care through the site by assessing the sitter’s profile. Once they approve an application, you’re free to offer services as a sitter.

Owners use the search tools to find local care providers. They might need dog boarding, house sitting, dog walking, doggy daycare, or drop-in visits. Owners then browse profiles, contact a sitter, and set up a Meet & Greet prior to the initial stay. Some populations of the country (large cities, for example) have the ability to have a dog walker assigned to them within half an hour–perfect for last-minute plans!

Rover itself provides access to 24/7 support (including vet assistance), handles automatic, secure payments; covers premium insurance for both parties, and walks owners and sitters through every step of the process.

Hiring a Sitter

Even if you’re only interested in making money with Rover as a sitter or dog walker, it’s helpful to know the process pet owners go through to hire YOU! By putting yourself in their shoes for a moment, you’ll be able to provide a better service and you’ll increase your chances of receiving recurring clients.

Owners start with defining their needs. Then, they’ll search through the site, contact sitters, and schedule a Meet & Greet.

Defining your needs:

Think through what helps your pets thrive. Do they get along with strangers? What’s happened in the past when you’ve been away? Consider whether your pet has any unique care requirements or concerns that you’d need a sitter to be able to address.

If you have non-negotiables or areas you’re happy to compromise, jot them down.

Search the site:

If you’re looking for a sitter for specific dates, you can narrow your search with those parameters. Otherwise, cast a wide net and survey all your options. Read through owner reviews, and compare what you find with your list. You can reach out to sitters with any questions you have.

You’ll want to find a sitter who is adaptable, reliable, and attentive (sitters, keep this in mind).

Meet & Greet:

Once you’ve contacted a sitter, you’ll want to schedule an initial meeting prior to any stay or walk. You’ll get a sense of who they are, and you can watch them interact with your pet. Does their personality match up with your pet’s needs? Ask any questions that will help you make the final decision. You can also go for a walk together, or watch the sitter play with your pets.

Look for a connection that helps put your pet at ease, and a confident sitter with great communication skills.

During the stay:

Leave a clear, written list of instructions, even if you’ve verbally communicated your dog’s schedule. Include things like how much they eat, and so on. This will give the sitter something to refer to if they forget anything.

You can also check in frequently via the app, and ask for photos and videos if you’d like! If you find yourself stressing about anything, contact the sitter. They’ll be happy to put your mind at ease and let you know how things are going. Your pet is in good hands!

Afterward:

Leave a review for the sitter, and reach out to them the next time you need help if you’re happy with your experience.

Becoming a Sitter (+ Tips)

After signing up, sitters will create a profile, set their rates and availability, respond to requests, and enjoy their first stays. Over time, they can raise their rates and increase their income.

Create a profile:

This is how dog owners in your neighborhood will get to know you. You can offer boarding, doggy daycare, house-sitting, walks, drop-ins, or any combination of services. You’ll be able to set your own rates, too.

Remember, owners are looking for a friend and companion for their pets, and they want to get to know who you are. You can describe your experience with dogs, why you want to be a pet-sitter, and the specifics of how you approach pet care.

Set your rates:

You can browse local sitters to find out what other people charge for various types of care. You might start on the lower end of the local rate in order to expand your clientele and gain reviews. Over time, you can adjust your rates as needed.

You’ll also mark which days you’re available. For instance, you might be able to house-sit and do a few dog walks each day on weekends, but you only offer doggy daycare during the week. Whatever you decide, keep your availability up to date.

Respond to requests:

Be prompt and conscientious with your communication. It will go a long way toward building your business! Ask plenty of questions, and don’t be afraid to turn down an opportunity that isn’t right for you.

Enjoy your first sit:

If your initial Meet & Greet goes well, you’ll soon find yourself starting your first gig. Communicate clearly with the owner about their expectations, and stick to the dog’s usual routine as closely as possible.

Most dogs will want to spend lots of time playing, so you can explore local dog parks or go for a vigorous run around the block, depending on the dog’s age and preferences. You can send regular updates to the owner via the Rover app, and ask any questions that come up during the stay.

Sign up to become a Rover caregiver here!

How Much Money Can You Make From Rover?

Since all Rover sitters and dog walkers get to set their own rates, the amount of money you make completely depends on the services you’re providing, your skill level and experience, and how much you feel comfortable charging. As I said above, in the beginning, it may be best to set a lower rate until you have some experience and clients, and then you can raise your rates slowly. 

To give you an idea of how much you can expect to make from Rover, I went to Indeed to see the average salaries of Rover dog walkers and pet sitters. In the US, the average salary is currently reported at $40,081 per year!

How payment works:

All payments are handled through the Rover app in an online, secure, and convenient manner. This is great as you won’t have to deal with cash, and you can be sure you’ll get paid in full for every service you provide!

It’s important to note that Rover keeps 20% of everything you earn as a sitter or walker.

Is Working For Rover Enjoyable?

Now that you know a bit more about how to get started and how much money you can make from Rover, let’s answer an even more important question: Is working for Rover something you’ll enjoy? Is it worth your time?

To figure out how others were enjoying their roles at Rover, I once again headed to Indeed to see honest reviews from real Rover sitters and dog walkers. As I searched through the reviews, I saw some common themes.

First, let’s look at the highlights of being a Rover pet sitter:

• The flexibility – Being able to set your own hours, choose your own clients, etc. is one of the best things about being a Rover sitter.
• Working with animals – As long as you’re an animal lover, working with fluffy co-workers every day is a dream come true!
• Option to work from home – If you’re doing dog boarding or doggy daycare you get to stay at home while making money!

Ok, now let’s look at some of the negatives:

• The amount of work you get can vary based on location – If you’re in an area with a lack of pet owners, this will greatly affect the amount of money you can make.
• Rover takes 20% – I mentioned this above, and while it sucks to lose some of your earnings, this 20% fee goes towards your insurance coverage and the marketing you get from Rover. I’d say the trade-off is worth it!

The verdict? As long as you love pets and live in a pet-friendly area, you should have a great experience working with Rover!

Final Thoughts

Whether you join Rover as a sitter or owner, you may soon find yourself on both sides of the equation: Lots of sitters are biding their time until they can adopt a dog of their own, and many owners find that Rover sitting is a great way to socialize their pups and earn income on the side.

Either way, you’ll be surrounded by people who care for dogs as passionately as you do. You’ll make new friends–canine and otherwise–and enjoy the benefits of belonging to a wonderful community.

Now it’s your turn! Head on over to Rover and use it however you wish! There are so many opportunities!

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Written by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member