Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Through Rover: How It Works
Plenty of busy families need someone kind and dependable to walk the dog at lunchtime or feed the cat while they travel. If you enjoy animals and have some free hours, this can be a pleasant way to earn a little on the side.
Rover is one of the best-known websites and apps that connect pet owners with sitters and walkers. Here is how it works.
Signing up, step by step
- Download the Rover app or visit rover.com and choose the option to become a sitter.
- Build your profile. Describe your experience with pets, your home and the services you want to offer, such as dog walking, drop-in visits or overnight stays.
- Verify your identity and submit a background check from your account. Rover says background checks apply to people living in North America.
- Take Rover’s safety quiz, which is required for all sitters and walkers.
- Wait for review. Rover says you should hear back within 10 to 20 business days.
You must be at least 18. Rover sitters are independent contractors, not employees.
What Rover keeps (as of October 2026)
Rover’s help center says it takes a 20% service fee from each booking, so you keep 80%. Its page notes that some US sitters are part of a pilot with different fees, and that California’s fees differ. Check the fee page for your area before you set prices.
To choose your prices, look at the profiles of other sitters near you on Rover. Remember to subtract the fee. A few walks a week could help toward a bill like home internet. That is an estimate, and bookings vary from season to season.
You can also skip the app
Some people prefer to work directly with neighbors they know. Without an app, you keep the whole fee, but you also handle scheduling, payment and any problems yourself. Either way, meet each pet and owner before the first booking.
Staying safe with pets
- Choose animals you can handle. A large, strong dog that pulls can cause a fall. Start with calm, smaller dogs if you are unsure.
- Wear sturdy shoes with good grip, and avoid icy or uneven paths.
- Ask owners for their vet’s phone number and proof of rabies vaccination.
- If an animal bites or scratches you, the CDC says to wash the wound with soap and water for about 15 minutes and get medical care promptly.
Taxes and benefits
Pet-sitting income is taxable, and the IRS says it must be reported even if you do not get a tax form. If you are under full retirement age and collect Social Security, net self-employment earnings count toward the yearly earnings limit. SSI, Medicaid and housing assistance have their own income rules. Check the official links below for your own situation.
