Get Paid to Play with Dogs? Here’s How to Make Money with Rover!

Rover. If you’re a pet lover in the U.S., chances are you’ve heard of this platform. It’s one of the top freelance platforms for pet care services. But did you know that your love for animals can actually turn into real money? That’s right, Rover makes it possible. While there are other options out there, this article focuses on why Rover stands out.

What makes Rover exciting is how easy it is to get started. Wait, really? Yes! Rover helps connect you with pet owners who need services, so you don’t have to stress about finding clients. Just sign up, create a great profile, and like magic, the clients come to you. But keep in mind, this is for animal lovers who want to earn extra cash, not just anyone.

So, are you interested yet?

If so, let’s dive deeper, because there’s a lot to unpack!

What is Rover?

Rover isn’t a pet matchmaking service,  it’s the largest pet care freelance platform in the U.S. It connects pet owners with caregivers offering services like dog walking, pet sitting, and boarding.

One of the best parts? You get to set your own rates. Really? Yes, really! Let’s go over some of the key benefits of using Rover.

Benefits of Joining Rover

• Complete Flexibility: Set your own schedule and choose the types of services you want to offer.
• Clients Come to You: No need to hustle for customers—Rover matches you with pet owners looking for services.
• Secure & Automatic Payments: Rover handles all transactions, so you don’t have to chase down payments.
• Set Your Own Prices: Charge what you think is fair based on your experience and the market demand.
• Hassle-Free Transactions: Rover manages the payment process for you.
• Automatic Payouts: Payments go directly into your account—no need to send invoices or follow up on payments.

Disadvantages to Consider

• Rover Takes a 20% Commission: A portion of your earnings goes to the platform.
• One-Time Profile Review Fee of $49: This fee is required to get your account verified and activated.
• Unreliable Clients: Some pet owners may cancel last minute or be difficult to communicate with.

How Rover Works

As a pet care service platform, Rover has a straightforward process. Simply sign up, complete your profile, and wait for clients to discover your services. The app connects pet owners needing assistance with caregivers ready to help.

Some people use Rover as a side job, while others make it their primary source of income. Personally, I’m still figuring it out as I write this article!

1. Signing Up & Verifying Your Account

First, you’ll create an account on Rover, complete your profile, and outline the services you offer. Rover conducts a background check to ensure caregivers are trustworthy. This verification process can take anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the number of applicants. Additionally, there is a $49 profile review fee required before your account becomes active.

2. Receiving Client Requests

Second, once your profile is live, pet owners interested in your services will send booking requests, which appear in the “Pending Requests” tab. You can review the details and decide whether to accept.

Rover recommends meeting clients and their pets before confirming a booking. While this step is optional, it’s highly advised to ensure compatibility. If anything feels off, you can decline the request without obligation.

Keep in mind that Rover does not provide a payment system for meet-and-greet sessions, so consider your time and transportation costs.

Once the introduction is complete, either you or the client can click “Book Now”, which initiates a 72-hour window during which other providers can also accept the request.

After completing the service, the client processes the payment through the app. Funds become available for withdrawal two days after the service ends, minus Rover’s 20% commission.

What Happens If a Client Cancels?

Rover has a flexible cancellation policy that depends on the terms set by the service provider. You can choose from the following:

• Flexible: Clients can cancel at any time for a full refund.
• Moderate: Clients receive a full refund if they cancel within a certain timeframe before the service begins.
• Strict: Clients only receive a partial refund for last-minute cancellations.

If a client cancels after the service has already started, you will still receive payment according to the chosen cancellation policy.

Costs of Working with Rover

While Rover provides an opportunity to earn extra income beyond participating in paid online surveys, using the platform is not entirely free. There are two types of costs to consider:

First, before you can start accepting bookings, you must pay a $49 profile review fee. This profile includes photos, the services and rates you offer, details about your experience with pets, and your availability.

Rover also conducts a background check as part of the approval process. Once you submit your profile, Rover will notify you of your approval status within 24-48 hours. If additional steps are required, you must complete them before your profile can be approved.

Second, Rover takes a 20% commission from each payment you receive. For example, if you earn $1,000 per month, Rover will deduct $200, leaving you with $800.

This commission covers platform usage, client matching, as well as security features and customer support from Rover.

Alternative: Care.com vs. Rover

If you feel Rover’s fees are too high, Care.com could be an alternative for finding pet care jobs.

On Care.com, you pay an annual fee of $18.99, which includes a background check, and there is no commission on your earnings. This means you keep 100% of your income.

However, Care.com does not guarantee clients will come to you, whereas Rover actively matches you with customers. The best choice depends on whether you prefer easier client acquisition (Rover) or keeping all your earnings without commission (Care.com).

How Much Can You Earn on Rover?

According to Rover, the average service rates range between $20–$28 per session. If you get 3–4 bookings per week, you could earn $500 or more per month.

Rover handles all payments from clients, but you have full control over your service rates. In other words, your income depends on the rates you set and the number of clients you serve.

Here are the estimated average earnings for various services on Rover:

However, these rates vary significantly depending on location. For example, pet boarding in major cities like New York or Los Angeles tends to be higher than in smaller towns.

How to Set Your Rates on Rover?

You can set your own rates, but here are some factors to consider:

• Market Prices in Your Area: Check Rover as if you were a client to see what competitors charge.
• Experience Level: If you’re new, you may need to offer lower prices to attract your first clients.
• Type of Pet & Difficulty: You can charge more for puppies, large dogs, or pets with special needs.
• Season & Holidays: Many providers increase rates during holiday seasons due to higher demand.

Example Earnings Calculations

Here are some potential income scenarios based on different service offerings:

Scenario 1: Dog Walking as a Side Job

For example, you have two clients:

• Client 1: You walk two dogs three times a week at $30 per session (discount for multiple dogs). → $90 per week.
• Client 2: You walk one dog twice a week at $25 per session. → $50 per week.

Total weekly earnings: $140

Total monthly earnings: $140 x 4 = $560

After Rover’s 20% commission, you will take home around $450 per month.

Scenario 2: Aiming for $1,000 Per Month

If you want to reach $1,000 per month, you’ll need to add other services, such as:

• Doggy Daycare: Caring for one dog per day at $25 per day → $750 per month (30 days).
• If you take in an additional dog for just 10 days per month, you can earn an extra $250.
• Total earnings before Rover’s cut: $1,000 per month.
• Total after 20% commission: $800 per month.

Earning $1,000+ per month may require more clients and time, but with a combination of services, it’s achievable.

How Rover Pays You

Once you complete a service, your payment will be available in your Rover account within 2 days. If a client adds a tip after the main payment has been processed, it will be added within 24 hours.

Rover works with Stripe to transfer funds to your bank account via direct deposit. Once Stripe processes the payment, it may take up to 5 business days for the funds to appear in your account, depending on your bank.

Factors that can affect payment speed:

• Holidays & Weekends: Payments may take longer if they fall on a holiday or weekend.
• Different Banks: Some banks process payments faster than others.
• Incorrect Bank Information: Ensure you enter the correct bank details to avoid payment delays.

Strategies to Increase Your Earnings on Rover

Here are some strategies to help you attract more clients and boost your income on Rover:

1. Create an Attractive and Professional Profile

Fill out your profile completely with an engaging description and high-quality photos. Use testimonials from friends or family who can vouch for your pet care skills.

After getting your first clients, upload photos of your experiences, such as walking dogs or playing with cats, so potential customers can see your dedication to pets.

2. Offer Specialized Services

Clients are often willing to pay more for specific services, such as:

• Puppy care (basic training, more frequent supervision).
• Senior pet care (extra attention for older pets).
• Caring for pets with special medical needs, including administering medication or post-surgery care.

Offering these services can increase your rates and set you apart from the competition.

3. Optimize Your Rover Services

To make your profile more visible to potential clients:

• Respond to messages and booking requests quickly.
• Ensure smooth bookings to receive positive reviews.
• Stay active on the platform and update your availability regularly.

The more responsive and reliable you are, the higher your chances of appearing in Rover’s search results!

4. Maintain Good Communication with Clients

Pet owners want peace of mind when leaving their pets with you. To build trust:

• Respond to their questions promptly and professionally.
• Send regular updates, including photos and videos, while caring for their pets.
• Pay attention to their pet’s special needs, such as feeding habits or favorite activities.

Example: A cat sitter who regularly updates clients with photos and daily reports, including videos of playtime, keeps customers coming back because of their excellent communication.

5. Make the Most of Your Free Time

If you have downtime while house-sitting or providing daytime pet care, you can use this time productively to earn extra income:

• Taking paid online surveys.
• Doing light freelance work, such as writing or graphic design.
• Learning marketing strategies to grow your pet care business beyond Rover.
• Earning money from apps.
• Testing websites and apps for money.

The more effectively you use your time, the more income you can generate!

Who Can Work with Rover?

Here are some of the requirements you need to meet to start working on this platform:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Pass the Rover safety quiz. This test evaluates your understanding of pet safety and proper pet care ethics.
• Pass a general background check. This includes a criminal history review and identity verification to ensure client trust.
• Have your profile approved by Rover. You need to complete your profile with clear and convincing information about the services you offer.

Additionally, freelancing with Rover is a great fit for people who:

• Love animals and have the patience and dedication to care for their well-being.
• Have a flexible schedule to meet the needs of clients and their pets.
• Can provide consistent and reliable care, as many pet owners prefer to work with sitters they can trust long-term.

Important Notes

Working with Rover means you are classified as an independent contractor, not an employee. There is no fixed salary or benefits, but you can set your own rates and work at your own convenience.

You may need a business license, depending on your local laws. It’s best to check your area’s tax regulations and licensing requirements for freelancers.

Additionally, while Rover offers the “Rover Guarantee,” it is primarily designed to give pet owners peace of mind, not necessarily to protect you as a sitter or dog walker.

What Rover Does NOT Cover:

• Property damage to your home. If a pet damages your furniture or personal belongings, Rover will not cover the cost.
• Injuries to you, your family members, or roommates. If you get injured while caring for a pet, medical expenses will not be covered under the Rover Guarantee.

What Rover DOES Cover:

1. Reimbursement for veterinary expenses up to $25,000 for injuries sustained by a client’s pet or your own pet.
2. Property damage in the pet owner’s home (not your own).
3. Certain medical costs for third-party injuries, such as injuries to someone who is neither the pet owner nor the sitter.

To minimize risks, it’s recommended to schedule a meet-and-greet before accepting a booking. While a single meeting won’t tell you everything about a pet’s temperament, it can help you get an initial understanding and prevent potential issues.

Since the Rover Guarantee does not cover all risks, having your own liability insurance can be a wise precaution.

Rover Alternatives

If you’re looking for options beyond Rover, two main alternatives to consider are Care.com and Wag!. You can also use all three platforms at once to maximize your chances of getting clients.

Care.com

Care.com provides a variety of care services, including pet care. Unlike Rover, it doesn’t take a cut of your earnings, but it does charge a subscription fee to access the platform.

• $18.99 per year (includes a background check)
• $8.99 per month for premium access (helps boost your ranking in search results)

So, if you want to keep 100% of your earnings, Care.com can be an interesting option. However, since its pet care market is smaller than Rover’s, it’s best to use Care.com as a supplement rather than your primary platform.

Visit: Care.com

Wag!

Wag! offers similar services to Rover, including dog training in some locations. However, its fees differ:

• One-time registration fee: $49.95 (similar to Rover)
• Revenue cut: 40% of your earnings (much higher than Rover’s 20%)

The advantage? You might land jobs faster if Rover isn’t bringing in clients yet.

So, if you have to pick just one, Rover is more profitable because of its lower commission. But if you want to increase your chances of getting bookings, using both Wag! and Rover could be a smart move.

Visit: Wag!

Final Thoughts

After writing this article, I’m actually tempted to give Rover a try. It seems fun, easy to get clients, and a great way to make extra cash. But there’s one problem, I’m a complete beginner and have never taken care of a pet before! If I start, should I try dogs or cats first?

As for fees, I think Rover’s pricing is fair considering the features they offer to help sitters succeed. So, if you love animals and want a side hustle, Rover could be a great option.

For those of you who’ve worked with Rover, what’s your experience like? How much time do you usually spend with pets? Have you ever gotten a complaint? If so, how did you handle it? Share your experiences in the comments!

References:

• https://financebuzz.com/earning-money-with-rover
• https://www.rover.com/become-a-sitter/