Ultimate Guide to Earning Money with Rover [2023]

Most of us wish we had more money at the end of the month. One way to boost your income beyond that of your full-time job is with the help of a side hustle. A side hustle is a way to make money in your spare time and is relatively simple, such as driving for a rideshare company, cleaning homes, selling items online, or even pet-sitting. It takes advantage of an existing skill or ability you have so that you can earn extra money.

Dog lovers looking for one of the best side hustles might be able to make extra money each month with Rover, the popular dog-walking app.

Quick Summary

Attention Dog Lovers

• Get paid to play with dogs
• Choose if you want to pet sit or walk dogs (or both!)
• Set your own schedule and prices

What is Rover?

Rover is a technology company that connects pet sitters to pet owners who need a variety of services. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Seattle. Rover is now available in more than 24,000 neighborhoods in 10 countries and provides access to more than 200,000 Rover dog sitters. Some of the pet care services you can provide using Rover.com include:

• Dog walking
• Dog boarding
• Housesitting
• Pet sitting
• Drop-in visits
• Doggy day care

If you’re also comfortable with cats, you can also offer boarding, housesitting, and drop-in visits for cats.

Whatever service you want to provide for a dog or cat, there’s a good chance you can make extra money with Rover. The idea is to connect pet parents with people who can provide their furry friends with love and affection when they can’t be there.

How does Rover work?

Many people with dogs and cats need help taking care of them. You know your dog needs to be walked during the day, but how can you do that when you’re at work? Many people travel, and while they wish they could take their pets, it might not be possible. This is where Rover comes in.

If you have the ability to board a dog at your home while someone is on vacation or if you can drop by someone’s house during the day and play with a pooch for half an hour, then Rover might be a good fit as one of the many ways to make money. Other people will hire you to check in on their pets and sometimes even stay at their homes as a Rover sitter so you can better care for their furry family members.

As an app, Rover is fairly straightforward. You sign up for a Rover account and fill out the profile, and the app connects dog and cat owners who need services for their pets with service providers.

If a dog owner sees your Rover profile and wants to use your services, they’ll send a request, which will appear in your “Pending Requests.” You can click on the request and see what’s required. If it’s a good fit, you can book it.

The booking process is a bit lengthy, however, especially for first-time services with new clients. Rover suggests that you meet up with any new owner before completing the booking. Then either you or the client can click the “Book It Now” button, opening a 72-hour window for the other person to accept the request.

Clients pay through the app after you complete your service. You can withdraw your funds two days after finishing the job. However, Rover will take a cut of 15%, 20%, or 25% of your fee depending on whether you use Rover or RoverGO, a program meant for sitters who can pet-sit four or more times a month. Rover service fees will not exceed $50 per booking.

Who can work for Rover?

Working with Rover can be a rewarding experience. However, you do need to meet some basic requirements. In order to do the simplest job — dog walking — you must be at least 18 and pass a general background check.

You might have to meet additional criteria to do other jobs with Rover. For example, before you can be approved as a sitter on Rover, your profile will go through a manual review. Rover prides itself on offering an alternative to kennels, so there’s a requirement to provide personalized and loving care to the pets, whether you’re boarding them for several days or you provide doggy day care services.

You’ll be an independent contractor, so you won’t receive a regular salary and benefits. But you do have a degree of freedom to set some of your own rates and work when you want. However, you should also be aware that, depending on where you live and the local laws, you might need to get a business license.

Those who love dogs and can provide them with special care and consideration are best suited for a job with Rover. If you have a flexible schedule and the ability to provide consistent care, you’ll likely do well as a Rover service provider. Though most service providers use Rover to generate some part-time income, others have found success doing it full-time.

Rover Benefits

• Get paid to play with dogs
• Choose if you want to pet sit or walk dogs (or both!)
• Set your own schedule and prices

How much does Rover pay?

According to Rover, you can earn up to $1,000 a month as a dog walker or dog sitter. Additionally, for dog sitters willing to also become a dog boarder, it’s possible to earn up to two times more than those who just offer dog-sitting services.

As with any type of side hustle, though, your earnings depend on what types of services you offer and how often you provide them. The more work you’re able to book, the more money you can make. In fact, it’s potentially possible to make more than $1,000 per month on Rover if you have a good system and regular clients.

Rover is cashless, so you need to provide information about your preferred way to receive payments. You can get paid via a bank account transfer using Stripe, a third-party payment provider. When a service is completed, you can withdraw money two days later. You need to do this using the Rover app or by initiating a withdrawal on your computer in order to get paid since it’s not automatically sent to you.

It will take up to 5 business days to see the funds in your bank account.

If a tip is added after you receive payment for a booking, that tip will be added within 24 hours. Your clients can also choose to give you tips in cash. This is on top of what you’re paid through Rover.

Tip

Rover no longer pays using PayPal.

Maximizing your earnings with Rover

• Offer boarding services as well as sitting services: According to Rover, sitters who offer boarding services in addition to sitting earn double the amount. Dog boarding offers the highest earning potential.
• Focus on repeat clients: Rover makes it easy to book with repeat customers. If you can find clients who want you to keep looking after their pets, you’re more likely to be their go-to person.
• Work the algorithm: You can be one of the top service providers when you answer messages and requests quickly and when you get good reviews.
• Take pictures: Some Rover users recommend taking pictures of your walking or sitting experiences so others can see the level of care and attention you provide to pets.
• Offer services for pets with special needs: If you’re equipped to provide puppy care, watch elderly dogs, or take care of dogs with special health requirements, you might be able to charge more.

How to get good reviews

Anytime you go through an app or website to connect with others and provide a service, there’s a good chance you’ll be reviewed by clients and customers. In general, the better your reviews, the better the chance that you’ll be recommended and receive more work.

When providing any service via a side hustle, there are a few things you can do to increase your likelihood of getting good reviews. Some tips for getting good reviews on Rover include:

• Provide frequent, clear communication. Respond quickly, and don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re working with a new dog or cat.
• Be professional and polite in your interactions online and in person.
• Offer exceptional service. Come prepared with dog treats, for instance.
• Provide extra touches that add value to the experience. For example, send a cute photo update of the dog having fun on your walk.
• Follow through with what you promise and be punctual.

FAQs about Rover

Does Rover do background checks? Are they free?

Rover does perform background checks through a third-party service called Sterling. There are two types of background checks: Basic and Enhanced. You’ll receive a badge on your profile when you pass these checks.

You might have to pay what Rover calls a “small fee” for your background check, depending on the type of check that’s done. The more advanced services you offer, the more expensive your background check. However, you might be able to earn the money back quickly since customers may consider you a more trusted provider.

How much does Rover pay per 30-minute walk?

As a service provider on Rover, you set your own rates. It can make sense to look at average dog-walking rates in your area, however, to give you an idea of what the competition is charging.

Dog walkers on Rover keep 80% of what they make. Rover takes a cut of your service charge in fees, which are used to support the Rover platform.

How much should you charge on Rover?

How much you should charge depends on the market rate in your local area, as well as other factors, including the types of services you offer and the kind of dogs you provide those services for.

For example, you might charge $20 for a dog walk and $15 for a drop-in to feed and play with a dog in their own home. If you live in a higher-cost area, you might be able to charge higher rates for services.

If you’re boarding a dog, you might charge a nightly rate. If the dog has special needs, such as having to take medicine, you can usually charge more for all of your services.

No matter how much you charge, though, it’s important to be clear about what you offer and the charges for taking care of dogs with special needs.

How much does Rover take out of your pay?

Rover takes a 20% cut of what you make. If you’re a sitter on RoverGO, the company will take a 25% cut. When pricing your services, keep this in mind.

What’s better: Rover or Wag?

If you love dogs and want to earn some extra money, both Rover and Wag can help you do that. The pay rate for pet care services varies across both sites, as service providers set their own rates. However, both can be decent part-time side jobs for dog lovers who are interested in setting their own schedules.

How to sign up for Rover

If you’re ready to sign up with Rover, the process is fairly straightforward. You’ll start by selecting the services you’re able to offer.

Next, you’ll be taken through the process of completing your profile, including adding a photo, inputting your services and rates, adding info about your own pets, and setting up your schedule. You will need to pay $35 as a one-time fee for your profile review.

Additionally, you’ll have to provide information for a background check.

Other side hustles to consider

If you’re a dog lover but you don’t have your own dog, Rover can help you get your puppy fix. However, dog walking and pet sitting aren’t for everyone. But when it comes to how to make money, there are plenty of other options, some of which might work better for you.

Carefully consider your personal preferences and bottom-line financial needs, as well as the skills and expertise you have, and then check out our list of the best side hustles.

For example, you could:

• Get started with Postmates: Postmates is an on-demand delivery service that pays you to deliver takeout, groceries, and other items to clients. Becoming a Postmates delivery driver can help you make some money in your spare time. The best part? You get to set your own schedule.

• List your car with GetAround: If you prefer a more passive side hustle, consider listing your car with a service like GetAround. GetAround lets you rent out your vehicle when you aren’t using it, and it provides roadside assistance and comprehensive auto insurance protection. It’s a great way to earn some extra income by barely lifting a finger.

Rover Benefits

• Get paid to play with dogs
• Choose if you want to pet sit or walk dogs (or both!)
• Set your own schedule and prices