Rover for beginners: how to get started step by step

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 1h ago

Who this guide is for

Rover is one of the best-known platforms for pet sitting and dog walking. For animal lovers, it can be a flexible way to earn extra money around a job or studies. But getting started can feel confusing: which services should you offer, how should you price, and how do you get the first booking? This beginner guide walks through each step in order, explains the fees and payments, and shares practical tips for safety and good reviews. It does not promise any level of earnings, which depend on demand in your area, your availability and your reviews.

Step 1: decide which services to offer

Rover sitters can offer several services. Boarding means the pet stays at your home overnight. House sitting means you stay overnight at the owner's home. Drop-in visits are short visits to feed, play with and check on pets, often cats. Doggy day care means caring for a dog at your home during the day. Dog walking involves walks of set lengths in the owner's neighbourhood. Choose services that fit your home, schedule and experience. If you live in a small apartment, drop-ins and walks may suit you better than boarding.

Step 2: check your home and schedule

For boarding and day care, think about whether your home is safe for pets: secure fencing, no toxic plants or chemicals within reach, and space for a dog to rest. Check your lease or homeowner association rules, since some restrict pets or home businesses. For walks and drop-ins, consider travel time between bookings and how far you are willing to go. Set realistic availability so you can always keep your commitments.

Step 3: create your profile

Your profile is your shop window. Use a clear, friendly photo of yourself, ideally with an animal. Write an honest description of your experience, such as pets you have owned, volunteering or professional work. Describe your home and routine for boarding, and the size and types of pets you accept. Mention any skills like giving medication, caring for senior dogs or handling puppies. Owners read profiles carefully, so specific details build trust.

Step 4: complete the screening

In the US, Rover requires sitters to pass a background check before their profile goes live, and profiles are reviewed before approval. You may need to provide personal details and pay a small fee for the background check, depending on current policy. Approval times vary.

Step 5: set your rates

You set your own rates for each service. Look at sitters near you with similar experience to see typical prices. As a beginner with no reviews, pricing slightly below established sitters can help you get your first bookings. Remember that Rover's service fee comes out of your earnings, so the price owners see is not what you take home. You can add extra charges for additional pets, holidays or puppy care.

Worked example: what you take home

Priya charges 25 dollars per drop-in visit. With a 20 percent service fee, she keeps 20 dollars per visit. If she completes three visits a day over a weekend, six visits in total, she earns 120 dollars after the fee. If her travel costs are 12 dollars, her net is 108 dollars before tax. The percentage calculator on this site makes it easy to see the effect of the fee.

Step 6: hold a meet and greet

Before confirming a first booking, arrange a meet and greet with the owner and pet. This lets you check the pet's temperament, how it gets along with you and any other animals, and the owner's instructions. Ask about feeding, walks, medication, behaviour, vet details and emergency contacts. If something does not feel right, it is fine to decline politely.

Step 7: confirm bookings through the app

Always book and pay through Rover. Bookings made in the app may be covered by Rover's protections, such as its guarantee and support, subject to terms. Taking bookings outside the app can lose these protections and break the terms of service.

Step 8: deliver great care

Follow the owner's instructions exactly, especially for feeding and medication. Send updates with photos during the booking, which owners love. Keep pets on a lead outside unless instructed otherwise, and never leave dogs unattended in a garden if they could escape. Record walks in the app as required.

Step 9: get paid

After a service is completed, earnings usually become available after a short holding period, and you can withdraw them to the payout method you set up, such as a bank account. Check the app for current timing and any withdrawal fees. Track your payments so you can reconcile them with bookings.

Step 10: build reviews and repeat clients

Reviews are key to getting more bookings. After a good stay, owners often leave a review, and you can politely remind them. Repeat clients become a reliable source of income. Responding quickly to messages also helps your profile rank well in search results.

Taxes for sitters

Rover sitters are independent contractors. You must report your earnings and may owe self-employment tax once net earnings reach 400 dollars. Rover may issue a tax form if you exceed reporting thresholds. Deductible expenses can include supplies, mileage for walks and drop-ins, and a share of phone costs. Set aside a portion of earnings for taxes.

Safety for you and pets

Learn basic pet first aid. Know the location of the nearest emergency vet. Never take on a pet you are not confident handling, especially large or reactive dogs. Use secure leads and harnesses. For your own safety, share booking details with someone you trust when visiting new homes.

Getting your first booking

The first booking is often the hardest, because owners prefer sitters with reviews. Ask friends, family or neighbours who already know you with pets to book through Rover and leave honest reviews of real stays. Keep your calendar up to date so you appear in searches for available dates. Reply to every enquiry quickly and warmly, even if you cannot take the booking. Offering popular services at busy times, such as holiday weekends and summer, increases your chances because many established sitters are fully booked then.

Worked example: a holiday weekend

Over a three-night holiday weekend, Marcus boards one small dog at 40 dollars a night and does four drop-in visits for a cat at 22 dollars each. His bookings total 120 dollars for boarding and 88 dollars for drop-ins, 208 dollars in all. After a 20 percent service fee of 41.60 dollars, he receives 166.40 dollars. He spends 10 dollars on fuel and 8 dollars on treats and poop bags, leaving 148.40 dollars before tax. He sets aside about a fifth for taxes and keeps roughly 119 dollars.

Common beginner mistakes

New sitters sometimes accept every request, including pets they are not prepared for, which can lead to stressful stays and poor reviews. Others underprice so much that bookings are not worth the time after the fee and travel. Skipping the meet and greet is another frequent mistake, since it is the best way to spot problems such as separation anxiety or aggression with other dogs. Finally, poor communication during a stay worries owners. A quick photo and update twice a day goes a long way.

Handling emergencies

Before each booking, confirm the owner's vet details and whether they have authorised emergency treatment. If a pet becomes ill or injured, contact the owner and the vet immediately, and use Rover's support line. Keep a record of what happened and any costs. Calm, quick action protects the pet and your reputation.

Growing over time

Once you have a handful of good reviews, review your rates and consider raising them gradually, especially for holidays and last-minute bookings. Some sitters add new services, such as puppy care or care for senior pets, as their confidence grows. Keep notes on each regular pet so every stay feels personal and consistent.

Reader questions

Have a question about pet sitting? Send it through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. Fees, policies and requirements vary by location and change; check the official help center for current details.

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