We use Rover.com as our backup for Barnaby when our regular sitter, Ally, is already booked — which happens more than you’d think around holidays. This is the honest rundown on the platform: what actually worked, what we paid, and when I’d reach for it instead of scrambling for a kennel spot.
How We Actually Use It
Rover connects pet owners with local sitters and walkers — you build a profile for your dog, browse sitters in your area, read their reviews, and book and pay through the app. We treat it strictly as our plan B. Ally knows Barnaby’s routine and our family; Rover is what we turn to when her calendar is full.
Before any booking, we do a meet-and-greet with the sitter — non-negotiable for us. We watch how Barnaby responds, and we walk through his food, his quirks (he’s a jumper when he’s excited), and where we keep his leash. The two Rover sitters we’ve used both sent photo updates through the day, which our daughters genuinely look forward to checking.
What It Costs
In our part of LA, we’ve seen these ranges hold pretty steady:
- Drop-in visits: $20–$30
- Dog walking: $20–$25
- House sitting (they stay at your place): $60–$90/night
- Boarding (you drop Barnaby at their place): $50–$80/night
That’s usually a bit more than Ally charges, but noticeably less than the boarding kennels near us, which run $70–$120 a night for a much less personal setup.
Where It Falls Short of Ally
Sitter quality on Rover varies — you’re reading reviews and hoping, not relying on years of history the way we do with Ally. Booking a familiar sitter again helps, but if your favorite is unavailable, you’re vetting someone new each time. For a one-off backup that’s fine; it’s not a replacement for a sitter who already knows your dog by name.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Book
- Book at least a few weeks out around holidays — the sitters with good reviews fill up fast.
- Write out feeding times, meds, and any quirks in the notes rather than assuming the sitter will ask.
- Ask upfront how often they’ll send updates, so you’re not wondering on day one.
FAQs
Is Rover safe?
Sitters go through a background check and the platform carries insurance, which was enough for us to feel comfortable after a solid meet-and-greet.
Can you book last-minute?
Sometimes, but availability drops fast — we’ve had better luck booking at least a couple weeks ahead.
Would we use it as our primary sitter?
No — Ally’s still our first call. Rover is the reliable backup, not the plan A.
Bottom line: for a trip where Ally isn’t available, Rover has been a genuinely fine plan B — not as personal, but reliable enough that we don’t hesitate to book it when we need to.
