Rover is the largest pet care marketplace in the US, and also runs in Canada, the UK and much of Europe. You set your own rates for boarding, house sitting, drop-in visits, daycare and dog walking. In the US, Rover takes a 20% service fee from each booking, so you keep 80%, and payments reach your account two days after each service.
At a glance
| Type of work | Boarding, house sitting, drop-in visits, doggy daycare and dog walking |
| How you earn | Your own rates per service, plus tips |
| Platform cut | 20% per booking in the US; different rates in other countries |
| Cost to join | Free to list, with a background check in the US |
| Payout | Funds released 2 days after a completed service, then sent to your bank by Stripe |
| Requirements | 18+, background check where required, a home suitable for any in-home services |
| Where it works | US, Canada, UK and many European countries |
How Rover works for sitters
You create a profile, choose which services to offer, set your rates and availability, and complete Rover’s checks. Owners search by location, service and dates, read reviews and message you. Most bookings start with a meet-and-greet so the owner and pet can meet you first. Once confirmed, the booking and payment run through Rover.
Unlike Wag, Rover is not an on-demand app. Owners choose you, so your profile, photos, reviews and response time do most of the selling.
Fees and what you keep
Rover’s fee for sitters depends on the country. In the US, Rover’s help center says it takes a 20% service fee per booking, so you take home 80%. In the UK, the sitter fee is 15% for one-off bookings and drops to 5% for recurring weekly care. Owners also pay their own service fee on top in most markets. You can change your rates at any time and add extra rates for holidays, puppies or additional pets.
Rover’s fee helps fund the Rover Guarantee, which reimburses eligible vet care and certain damages during bookings made and paid through the platform. Rover requires all bookings to be paid on-platform, both for that protection and to prevent fraud.
When you get paid
Rover charges the owner when they book, holds the money, and releases it to you two days after the service is complete. From there, Stripe sends it to your bank account, which can take a few business days depending on your bank.
Getting your first bookings
New sitters start with no reviews, so the early weeks are about trust. Fill every part of your profile, add clear photos, price a little below established sitters nearby, keep your calendar accurate and reply to messages quickly. Ask friends and neighbors with pets to book through Rover so you get your first genuine reviews. Repeat clients are where Rover really pays: a few regulars can fill your week.
Owen’s take
Rover is the platform I’d point most new pet sitters to first. You choose your rates, owners choose you on reviews, and the US fee is half of Wag’s effective cut. Boarding and house sitting pay best, especially over holidays, but they mean having dogs in your home or living in someone else’s. Start with walks and drop-ins if you’re unsure, and build up. The sitters who do well treat it like a small local business, not an app.
Who it suits
It suits reliable animal lovers with a flexible schedule, especially those with a pet-friendly home and a yard for boarding. It suits less well anyone who can’t commit to set dates, or anyone renting where pets aren’t allowed.
Similar options
- Wag is better for quick, on-demand walks while you build reviews.
- Care.com lists pet care jobs alongside other care work.
- TaskRabbit covers other local jobs for more variety.
More local options are in Gig Work, and US-only platforms are in USA.
Pros and cons
Pros
- You set your rates and choose your clients
- US fee of 20%, lower than Wag’s effective cut
- Rover Guarantee and on-platform payments protect you
Cons
- Slow start until you have reviews
- Fees differ by country, and owners pay a fee too
- Boarding and sitting tie up your home or your nights
FAQ
How much does Rover take from sitters?
In the US, 20% per booking, so you keep 80%. In the UK, 15% for one-off bookings and 5% for recurring weekly care. Other countries have their own rates.
When does Rover pay sitters?
Payments are released two days after you complete a service, then Stripe transfers them to your bank account.
Do I need a house to sit on Rover?
Only for boarding and doggy daycare at your home. Walking, drop-in visits and house sitting at the owner’s home don’t need your own space.
Can I do Rover outside the US?
Yes. Rover also operates in Canada, the UK and many European countries, with fees set per country.
