Is being a Rover sitter worth it? (2023)

Is dog sitting on rover worth it?

It is great if it works for you. Good gig for if you work remote and love animals. Rover provides the infrastructure for you to get started and they take their cut for it, so adjust your rates accordingly when practical.

Tips are not required but they are appreciated. As to amount, It's completely up to you as to how much you feel our service is worth to you. Rover does take 15-20% out of the fee you pay, so we actually receive 80-85% of what you pay up front, if that makes a difference.

Rover is worth working for as a pet sitter or dog lover who enjoys taking care of dogs and needs extra income. You get to work in your own time, set your own rates, and have the option to offer different pet care services. "Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp.

How much does Rover pay? You can earn up to $1,000 a month, according to the Rover website. The amount you make depends on the service (or services) you provide and how often you work. Those who offer overnight dog or cat boarding can make twice as much as sitters who don't, the company says.

Matching Rover to Your Schedule

Flexibility is key to a great side hustle. As a Rover sitter you'll have complete control over what pet jobs you book and when. Customizable options within the Rover app allow you endless ways to adapt pet sitting to your existing lifestyle.

Payout process

Two days after you complete a service, the funds will appear in the Rover Balance section of your account. Once that happens, our payment processor Stripe will automatically transfer the funds to your bank account via direct deposit.

You'll maintain a calendar that tells owners when you're available, and owners will contact you directly on Rover. If you like, meet the owner and dog in person before you book. When you're ready, simply book and pay on Rover. You'll keep 80% of what you earn.

Rover takes a percentage of a sitter's earnings. The customer pays Rover directly a service fee of 5%-7% of the booking total but no more than $25.

However, the glaring difference between the two is the fees: Rover charges a 15-25% fee and Wag charges a 40% fee. While you may want to look into both apps, it's tough to recommend Wag unless you want to offer pet training.

Can you trust Rover dog sitters?

It takes a while to get comfortable with meeting strangers in your home or in theirs, but by and large Rover's users are just normal, trustworthy people looking for a sitter.

Pet sitters charge an average of $25 per 30-minute visit, $20 to $30 per day, $45 to $75 per night, or $250 to $375 per week. Rates depend on the services requested, if you need 24-hour pet care or service on holidays, and if you have additional pets.

As a Rover gig worker, you're considered self-employed by the IRS. This means you'll have to pay self-employment tax on your Rover earnings, at a rate of 15.3%. You'll also have to pay federal and state income tax on those earnings.

You will need to offer the full or almost full suite of services if you want to be full-time.

I think you'll agree there's a certain minimum rate that you're willing to accept for a few/several hours—maybe that's approx. $20-25, considering you offer 24 hours of care for approx. $35. For example, to charge $25, book it as Boarding with Cost Adjustment minus -10.

Rover is an excellent way to make extra cash on your own schedule, especially if you're a dog lover. Whether you are looking for a full-time job or a part-time job, becoming a dog walker or dog sitter is an excellent option to explore. Over time, you'll learn how to use your time in the most efficient possible way.

If you're unable to take a stay, it's best to decline a request by politely letting the owner know you are unable to take the stay, and using the “decline and archive” button. Here's what to say to an owner: First, tell them why you can't accept the booking.

Create a visually appealing profile, which includes photos of you, photos of you playing with dogs and references from people who know you. If you ever took care of a dog or pet outside of Rover, get someone to write a few references for you. They won't be considered Rover verified, but at least its something!

It just takes time for new sitters to start getting clients. I would suggest checking the listings of other sitters in your area to make sure your rates are reasonable. You might even price yourself lower than others just to get a few new clients. It may be that there is not a need for many sitters in your area.

How do you get found on Rover?

When this becomes very helpful is if there is ever a dispute between you and the client, Rovers trust and safety team is able to see your exact communication with the owner.

2 days after the stay is complete, your funds are available. From there you can request payment and have it sent to you either via check or PayPal. With check it can take 5-7 days to get to you, with PayPal its immediately available (on PayPal) and you can transfer to your bank.

Call Us Right Away

Save our Trust & Safety phone number (888-727-1140) in your contacts, and call us immediately in case of a lost dog. Call the owner right after you call us—they'll often have tips on how to get their dog to come to you.