For families who love to travel, dine out, or juggle the never-ending cycle of work and school activities, one question always lingers: Who will care for the dog?
Pets aren’t just animals—they’re family. Leaving them behind can spark guilt, stress, and worry. That’s why trusted pet care is as essential to family planning as choosing the right vacation destination or the best restaurant for a special occasion.
While our family’s first choice is always Pet Sitting by Ally—because of her personalized, family-style service—there are times when availability or travel schedules require flexibility. That’s where Rover.com comes in. For us, Rover has become a reliable backup option when Ally’s calendar is full.
In this post, I’ll break down:
- What Rover is and how it works.
- Our personal experience using the service.
- The range of services offered (boarding, sitting, walking, daycare, and more).
- Pricing and value comparisons.
- Why Rover works for parents, kids, and pets.
- Safety and trust measures.
- How Rover compares to kennels, apps, and independent sitters.
- Insider tips for booking successfully.
What Is Rover.com?
Rover is often described as the “Airbnb for pets.” It’s a tech platform that connects pet parents with sitters, walkers, and boarders in their local area.
- Founded: 2011, now the largest pet-sitting network in the United States.
- Coverage: Operates in thousands of cities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
- Flexibility: Offers drop-in visits, overnight stays, dog walking, boarding, and daycare.
- Access: All booking, communication, and payments are handled within the Rover app or website.
👉 In short, Rover makes pet care accessible, customizable, and highly convenient.
First Impressions: Signing Up
We found Rover’s sign-up process refreshingly simple:
- Create a Pet Profile: Add your dog’s name, breed, age, quirks, and health needs.
- Browse Sitters: Filter by location, availability, services, and budget.
- Read Reviews: Each sitter profile includes reviews from verified clients.
- Book & Pay: Messaging, scheduling, and payments all stay inside the platform.
💡 Parent Tip: Include notes like, “Our kids may greet you during walks” or “Our daughters love helping with feeding,” so sitters know what to expect in a family environment.
Rover Services: What You Can Book
Rover offers flexibility, which is especially helpful for families balancing school calendars, work deadlines, and travel. Services include:
- Dog Boarding – Overnight stays at the sitter’s home.
- House Sitting – The sitter stays in your home so pets remain in their familiar environment.
- Drop-In Visits – Quick check-ins for food, potty breaks, and playtime.
- Dog Walking – Scheduled walks to keep your pup active and healthy.
- Doggy Day Care – Daytime care at the sitter’s home while you’re at work or out.
📌 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that consistency in environment and routine reduces stress for pets, which is why services like house sitting and drop-in visits often result in calmer, happier dogs.
💡 Family Note: For us, overnight stays and drop-in visits worked best. Our daughters especially loved getting Rover photo updates while we were traveling.
Our Personal Experience with Rover
The Meet & Greet
Before booking, Rover encouraged a meet-and-greet with our chosen sitter. This was a key trust-building step:
- Our pup warmed up right away.
- The sitter asked thoughtful questions about routines, food preferences, and quirks.
- We left feeling reassured and confident.
During the Booking
- Daily photo and video updates.
- Walk logs showing distance and duration.
- Notes on meals, medications, and potty breaks.
Returning Home
We came home to a happy, relaxed dog and a tidy house. The sitter even left a note recapping the week, which our daughters loved reading aloud.
👉 The experience felt less like a transaction and more like family care.
Pricing and Value
Rover pricing varies by sitter, but in Los Angeles we found:
- Drop-In Visits: $20–$30 per visit
- Dog Walking: $20–$25 per walk
- House Sitting: $60–$90 per night
- Dog Boarding: $50–$80 per night
- Day Care: $30–$45 per day
How Rover Compares
- Kennels: $70–$120 per night, often stressful and less personal.
- Luxury Pet Hotels: $150–$200 per night, but not always one-on-one care.
- Independent Sitters (like Ally): Often provide better value because of personal relationships.
📌 The Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2023) found that dogs exhibited fewer stress markers when cared for in-home versus kennels, making in-home Rover sitters and services like Pet Sitting by Ally the healthier choice.
💡 Our Take: While Rover can be slightly more expensive than Ally, it’s far less stressful for pets than kennels—and often comparable in price.
Safety & Trust
Safety was one of our biggest concerns, and Rover addresses this well:
- Background Checks: Available for sitters.
- Verified Profiles: Sitters must be approved before listing.
- Insurance: Rover provides liability coverage for sitters.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Assistance is available anytime.
- Rover Guarantee: Covers eligible medical emergencies.
📌 According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), choosing caregivers with insurance and training reduces risk in pet care situations. Rover’s framework aligns with this recommendation.
Why Families Love Rover
For Parents
- Peace of mind during vacations.
- Transparent reviews and pricing.
- Easy app-based communication.
For Kids
- Daily photo updates made them feel connected.
- They loved “sharing” the photos with friends while we were away.
- It reduced the guilt of leaving their beloved pup behind.
For Dogs
- Personalized attention.
- Consistent routines.
- Less stress than boarding environments.
Pros & Cons of Rover
Pros:
- Wide variety of sitters.
- Easy-to-use app.
- Personalized care.
- Built-in safety features.
Cons:
- Quality varies depending on the sitter.
- Top sitters book up quickly.
- Pricing adds up for long trips.
Rover vs. Other Pet Care Options
- Rover vs. Kennels: Rover offers calm, one-on-one care vs. loud, stressful environments.
- Rover vs. Friends/Family: Friends may help for free, but Rover adds professionalism, insurance, and reliability.
- Rover vs. Wag: Wag focuses more on walking; Rover offers full-service care.
- Rover vs. Trusted Housesitters: Great for international options, but less practical for local families.
Insider Tips for Booking Rover
Like any service, your Rover experience will be only as good as the preparation you put into it. After several bookings—and some trial and error—we’ve pulled together the tips that make the biggest difference for families.
1. Book Early, Especially Around Holidays
Just like flights or hotel rooms, the best sitters on Rover fill their calendars quickly. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer vacation weeks are the first to go. Booking one to two months in advance ensures you’ll have access to highly rated sitters who match your needs.
📌 According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) Travel Trends Report, peak holiday travel periods lead to a 30–40% increase in pet-sitting demand. Families who wait until the last minute often pay more or settle for less-experienced sitters.
2. Always Schedule a Meet-and-Greet
Rover encourages this step for a reason: it builds trust for both your family and your pet. During a meet-and-greet you can:
- Watch how your dog responds to the sitter.
- Walk the sitter through feeding routines, quirks, and safety rules.
- Let your kids meet the sitter so they feel part of the process.
👉 For our daughters, this step was important—they liked meeting the sitter beforehand and asking questions about what their dog would be doing while we traveled.
3. Leave Detailed Notes
The more information your sitter has, the better the care. Don’t assume they’ll “figure it out.” Create a care sheet that includes:
- Feeding times and portion sizes.
- Walk routines (preferred routes, length, pace).
- Medications and instructions.
- Favorite toys or games.
- Triggers (other dogs, loud noises, food allergies).
💡 Parent Tip: Add family notes like “kids may play with the dog before dinner” or “we keep the back gate locked.” These little details help maintain consistency while you’re gone.
4. Request Daily Updates
Rover sitters are usually happy to send photos, videos, or walk logs. Set expectations before the booking begins—whether you want one photo a day, meal updates, or just an evening summary.
📌 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) highlights that consistent updates reduce owner stress, which in turn lowers stress for the pet.
5. Ask About Backups
Life happens—sitters can get sick or face emergencies. Before confirming, ask if your sitter has a trusted backup in case something comes up. Rover’s support team can help, but knowing there’s a plan B adds peace of mind.
6. Read Reviews Carefully
Look for patterns in reviews, not just star ratings. For example:
- Do several reviewers mention “great with kids”?
- Is communication consistently praised?
- Are dogs described as “calm and happy” upon return?
Patterns matter more than one or two outliers.
7. Clarify House Rules
If your sitter is staying in your home, outline what’s okay and what isn’t. For example:
- Should they use the family car?
- Can they have guests over?
- Where should packages or mail be placed?
Clear boundaries prevent awkward surprises.
8. Leave a Review After Your Stay
Reviews help Rover’s community thrive. Honest feedback ensures other families can make informed decisions—and it rewards great sitters with more visibility.
9. Compare With Your Local Options
Even though Rover is convenient, don’t forget to compare it with trusted local sitters. In our case, Pet Sitting by Ally is always our first choice because of the relationship she’s built with our family. Rover is a great backup, but it’s not a full replacement for the personalized touch of someone who knows your dog like family.
10. Plan for Travel Logistics
Think about how your pet’s schedule fits into your travel plans. For example:
- If you’re taking a Carnival Firenze cruise, make sure your sitter knows your return time, since disembarkation can run late.
- During longer getaways like a trip to Hawaii, consider booking two sitters if your trip spans more than 10 days, so neither sitter is overextended.
👉 Bottom Line: The families who get the best experience from Rover are the ones who treat it like a partnership. By booking early, communicating clearly, and reviewing sitters thoughtfully, you create a smooth, reliable system that benefits parents, kids, and pets alike.
Family Travel Connection
Pet care is never just about the dog—it’s about enabling the whole family to enjoy experiences together.
- When we stayed at the Terranea Resort, Rover made sure our pup was cared for at home.
- On our Carnival Firenze cruise, the kids loved checking their Rover app messages like postcards from the dog.
- During a trip to Hawaii, we relied on Rover as a backup when Ally wasn’t available—allowing us to snorkel, hike, and explore without guilt.
👉 For families, Rover transforms pet care from a stress point into a seamless part of travel planning.
What Other Owners Say
“Rover makes travel stress-free—I know my dog is in loving hands.”
“Cheaper and friendlier than kennels.”
“Our kids love the photo updates—it feels like the dog is traveling with us.”
“We prefer our local sitter, but Rover is the perfect backup.”
FAQs
Is Rover safe?
Yes. Rover vets sitters, offers insurance, and provides 24/7 support.
Can I book last minute?
Yes, though availability is limited. Booking ahead is best.
Does Rover cover medical emergencies?
Yes, through the Rover Guarantee (with conditions).
Can I request the same sitter again?
Absolutely—repeat bookings are encouraged.
Do sitters handle senior dogs or medications?
Yes, many are experienced with special-needs pets.
Final Verdict: Ultimate Care with Rover
After trying Rover, we can confidently say it delivers ultimate care for pets. It combines the trust of professional sitters with the flexibility of a modern app.
That said, we’ll always prefer Pet Sitting by Ally for her personalized, family-style service. Ally knows our dog by name, our daughters by personality, and our household by routine. But when Ally isn’t available, Rover is our go-to backup—reliable, professional, and reassuring.
👉 Our Verdict: Rover is a must-have tool for modern pet owners. Whether you’re cruising the Pacific on the Carnival Firenze, relaxing at Terranea, or planning a Hawaiian escape at the Ritz Carlton Turtle Bay, Rover ensures that your furry family member is cared for while you make memories.
👉 For further reading, check out this post: Ultimate kid-free activities
About the Author (Ginger Graham):
The author behind Culinary Passages is a Los Angeles–based lifestyle and travel writer who believes that the best discoveries are the ones that make everyday life feel easier and more meaningful. Whether exploring five-star resorts, local restaurants, or trusted services, this writer values authenticity, care, and real-world experience above all.
After using Rover.com to find exceptional pet care for their own dog, the author was deeply impressed by the convenience, compassion, and professionalism the platform provides. Knowing their furry family member was in such good hands made travel — and daily life — far less stressful.
Through Culinary Passages, the author continues to share personal insights, trusted recommendations, and heartfelt stories that help readers find the best in food, travel, and family-friendly living.
