Kaiden H.

On behalf of the good sitters who care deeply for pets, please don't judge all of us due to some bad experiences. There are lots of loving and competent ones if you know how to look. I've been both using Rover as a top-rated sitter for over a year now (and to find one on occasion). Here are some tips to get a good sitter and how to deal with bad ones. These tips can also be used to highlight the good in Rover and to point out what they could work on.

Tips To Book A Good Sitter (regardless of location)
- Be sure the person you select has verified reviews (these are the ones with star values). Any other reviews can be written by anyone with an e-mail account (including the sitter).
- Look for "Extended Background Check" and "Rover 101" Badges on profiles. These indicate that the sitter has gone through Basic Dog 101 training and the EBC badge shows that the sitter paid their own money for an enhanced background check. You'll know they are committed to the safety of your pets and property.
- Make sure the sitter's rates are not too "cheap" for the area. A lot of new sitters (or desperate ones) will lower their prices in an attempt to gain customers. Hiring one of these sitters may put you at risk of getting someone less reliable/experienced who doesn't value themselves as a sitter.
- Always do an in-person meet to ensure things are a good match. This gives you the chance to ask questions and a good sitter will also ask plenty of questions themselves.
- Make your expectations clear. If you don't want any children, people, or other pets around your animals, tell the sitter. Most sitters also work at least PT so make sure their schedule can accommodate your needs. Tell the sitter how much communication you expect regarding your pet.
Bonus tip: If any services involve your home, get a video doorbell. This can tell you when your sitter arrives/leaves so you can confirm the stay was adequate. It can also protect you from any unauthorized visits/pets.

How To Deal With Incidents
No matter how well you vet someone/where you book, there will always be bad experiences. Communicating with your sitter (and Rover) in key. Miscommunication is the #1 cause of incidents.

- Have an emergency plan BEFORE one happens. Leave your local vet/emergency center info, leave an emergency contact, and tell the sitter to contact Rover asap. The more information Rover has the more they can help (this also makes them more likely to help cover costs). Many good sitters also carry their own insurance.

Bad sitter? Contact Rover and consider the following:
A) Report them, doing this will flag their account and (in some cases) warrant investigation. If costs are an issue, Rover may also reimburse/refund you for such incidents (evidence helps, so get it if you can).
B) If you are seeking cost reimbursement/refunds, contact Rover asap. Sitters are never paid until 2 days after a booking is finished. This is your best opportunity to make a successful claim with them.
B) Leave a bad review and don't feel sorry. Minor grievances probably don't warrant such action but blatant disregard the wellbeing of your pet(s) or property would. A solid 1-star review can and probably will Titanic a person's entire career going forward.

Cancellations
- If a sitter cancels on you (with or without reason) within 7 days of booking, you can count on Rover helping you find a replacement. Unfortunately, you usually have to contact them to start this process. You should always be refunded in these situations. Feel free to report the sitter depending on the situation.
- If you cancel anytime, your reimbursement depends on a sitter's cancellation policy. Consider a sitter with a flexible/moderate policy if you think this may be an issue. Rover fee reimbursement is entirely up to Rover.

I hope these tips find and help someone. The majority of sitters I know are great people and are very passionate about the work they do. Give Rover a chance and your pet might just find their new best friend!