If you’re wondering whether Rover is safe, legit and worth using…
Short answer: Yes, I believe Rover is safe. I’ve personally used Rover for several years to find pet sitters for my dogs, and it completely changed how we travel. Here’s what I’ve learned, what I love, and what I’d want every pet owner to know before booking.
Here’s exactly how Rover works, what I like, what I don’t like, and how you can save $20 on your first booking.
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.
We’ve now used the same Rover sitter on multiple trips. My dogs know her, she sends photos every visit, and I no longer spend my vacation wondering if they’re okay. That peace of mind alone has made Rover worth every penny for us.
This review is based entirely on my own experience using Rover to book pet sitters for my own dogs over the past several years.
My Honest Rover Review
Kristie Sawicki
I’ve used Rover for several years and have booked the same sitter multiple times. My dogs stay in their familiar environment, I receive photo updates, and I no longer worry while we’re away. That’s why I continue to recommend Rover to friends and readers.
How Does Rover 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.
Before finding Rover, we always relied on family members to watch our dogs whenever we traveled. After we moved, asking someone to drive an hour every day just wasn’t realistic anymore. That’s when I decided to give Rover a try.
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!
Is Rover Legit?
Yes. In my experience, Rover is a legitimate pet sitting marketplace that connects pet owners with independent sitters.
Like any marketplace, the quality of sitters varies, which is why reading reviews and scheduling a meet and greet is so important.
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.
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.
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.
Tips for Choosing a Great Rover Sitter
After using Rover several times, here are a few things I’ve learned that can help you find a great sitter:
- Read every review. Don’t just look at the star rating. Read what other pet owners have to say.
- Look for repeat clients. Sitters with repeat customers have already earned the trust of other pet owners.
- Schedule a meet and greet. This was one of the biggest reasons I felt comfortable booking our sitter. It gave us a chance to meet, ask questions, and see how our dogs interacted with her.
- Ask about updates. I love receiving photos and messages after every visit because it gives me peace of mind while we’re away.
- Be honest about your pets. Let the sitter know about your dog’s personality, routines, medications, or anything else they’ll need to provide the best care.
- Leave detailed instructions. The more information you provide, the smoother the visit will go for both your pets and your sitter.
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.
Is Rover trustworthy?
In my experience, yes. One of the reasons I continue to use Rover is because I can read detailed reviews, see how many repeat clients a sitter has, and schedule a meet and greet before booking. Those features helped me feel much more comfortable inviting someone into my home to care for my dogs.
Of course, no pet sitting service can guarantee that every sitter will be the perfect fit. That’s why I always recommend reading reviews carefully, asking questions, and meeting the sitter in person before your trip. Taking those extra steps has helped us find an amazing sitter we’ve now booked multiple times.
Pros and Cons of Using Rover
Pros
- Easy to browse sitters
- Secure payments
- Background checks available
- Meet and greet before booking
- Daily photo updates
- In home care
- Verified reviews
Cons
- Service fees
- Availability may vary
- Sitters vary in experience
- Prices vary by location
- You’ll want to read reviews carefully
Rover vs. Traditional Boarding Kennels
One of the biggest reasons I decided to try Rover was because I didn’t want my dogs staying in a kennel while we were away. Every dog is different, but mine are happiest at home where everything smells familiar and their daily routine stays the same.
With Rover, my sitter comes to my house to care for my dogs, so they don’t have the added stress of being in a new environment surrounded by unfamiliar dogs and noises. I also receive photos and updates after every visit, which gives me so much peace of mind while we’re traveling.
Traditional boarding can still be a great option for some pets, especially dogs that enjoy being around other dogs or need around-the-clock supervision. For our family, though, having our dogs stay in the comfort of their own home has been the better choice.
If you’re trying to decide between Rover and a boarding kennel, think about your dog’s personality. If they’re happiest at home and you like the idea of personalized care, Rover may be the better fit.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Would I Use Rover Again?
I highly recommend this service, and I’m confident that you can find your own Audrey near you.
After using Rover on multiple trips, I wouldn’t hesitate to book through them again. Finding a sitter we trust has taken so much stress out of traveling, and knowing our dogs are happy at home instead of in a kennel makes every trip more enjoyable.
Use my link to get $20 to try Rover today!
