• Rover

Rover

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Overview

Rover has a rating of 1.2 stars from 605 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Rover most frequently mention customer service, pet sitter, and next day problems. Rover ranks 487th among Dogs sites.

  • Service
    218
  • Value
    199
  • Shipping
    47
  • Returns
    66
  • Quality
    165
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 1.7%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
59
239
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How would you rate Rover?
Top Positive Review

“Rover as a platform is terrible, but the sitters are legitimate.”

Becky S.
8/11/22

The reviews on here are absolutely insane, and not in a good way. 95% of Rover sitters are wonderful humans who care deeply about your pets. The reviews on here are clearly sabotage and paid for by other platforms. I will say that Rover as a platform is awful as they take 20% from sitters. Owners, if your sitter is comfortable, please pay them in cash. This will save you and them fees, plus Rover rarely actually intervenes when something goes wrong.

Top Critical Review

“Terrible customer service”

Doug L.
10/6/24

If you ever have a problem with billing, you will never be able to talk to someone. The sitters are wonderful, but, when my dog died, and I had to re-block for just my cat, they kept the 500+ dollars I had already paid and then made me pay again for the cat just to confirm since my dog died. Pretty heartless. Supposedly, I will get refunded for the visit I had but why can't they take the new booking out of the money I had already paid them? The most unnerving part is that they have this endless menu system that keeps you from reaching a real person. Their ratings also look really high on Google, but that's because the people they have a sitters are really good business end is terrible.

Reviews (605)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

pet sitter (85) customer service (72) dog sitter (76) rover sitter (53) use rover (124)
Thumbnail of user mariam2714
Washington
1 review
4 helpful votes
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November 28th, 2021
Verified purchase

Sitter did not show up at my house to take care of my dogs, but gave a detailed lie about it. This seems to happen often with Rover and it's hard to get in contact with them.

Thumbnail of user mudgiepaleno
Arizona
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 17th, 2023

I have has the worst luck with most of the petsitters that I have used. Two of the lockked my little dog (now gone) is a small room or hallway. Antother must have medicated my bloodhound -shepard mix because when I picked him up he could barely walk I had to lift him into my truck and he did not seem to recognize me. I was going to bring him to the emergency room but he came out of it in a few hours. She must have sedated him with something. He was the biggest dog in her house but he never bothers another dog. I now bring him to a professional facility and he is always the same dog when I pick him up.Another dog walker let him off leash in my neighborhood This is a 92 lb dog. She had absolutely no common sense. So beware when you leave a pet at someones house you don't know what they are going to do with the pet. Very scary.

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Thumbnail of user cassidys41
New York
1 review
22 helpful votes
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January 6th, 2021

Rover offers ZERO SUPPORT in real time emergency situations. And in reality they take zero responsibility for anything. I don't trust the sitters because I don't trust who they're working for. Even the best sitters get BURNED so terribly by this corrupt company that it would make sense that they'd lose hope after a while.

Tip for consumers:
Dont

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Thumbnail of user debrac260
Washington
1 review
15 helpful votes
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August 7th, 2019

My sitter was scheduled to start at 7:30am on July 20 2019. I had used her for a drop in the Sat before.(not sure she even came to my house). I had communication with her that Sat of the drop in and told her we'd need here to come around 7:30 on the 20th. I called her and sent texts to her on the Friday before we were leaving and go 0 response. Finally at 9 pm I called the rover.com emergency number and they tried contacting her, 0 response. My neighbors stepped up and said they would take care of my dog. I got a full refund right away. We were on Maui and Sunday night the 21st around midnight WA time the rover sitter starts texting me wanting to know why she was canceled. I don't think she had a clue what day she was supposed to start watching my dog. She started texting and calling basically harassing me. I had to call rover the next day to report her. I will never use rover.com ever again! I'd love to post her name she's in Wenatchee WA.

Thumbnail of user emilyroop
Arizona
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 29th, 2023

I'm 29, good with tech, use tech in my job etc. and this website was IMPOSSIBLE to navigate. Things are placed in such odd places and I can barely even sign in half the time. When you click on "sign in" on one of the pages it keeps promoting you to find a sitter. Not everything can be done on the app so FIX THE WEBSITE.

Tip for consumers:
The customer service email is also horrible and they take days to respond

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Quality
Thumbnail of user gaylea39
Colorado
1 review
8 helpful votes
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March 22nd, 2021

A puppy is gone forever because if their incompetence! Our daughter booked a dog sitter from Rover to care for their puppy in the sitter's home while they were on vacation. She seemed wonderful and capable. Unfortunately, a few days into the sitting, she had to cancel due to a family emergency. The sitter found another Rover.com sitter nearby who took over care of the puppy. Now, mind you, my daughter and family are across the country while all this is happening! The second sitter let the puppy escape. It has not been found and due to recent heavy snowstorms, the puppy is presumed dead. My husband and I came in from out-of-town immediately, posted on numerous websites, distributed flyers and posted signs in the surrounding area. The second sitter is not healthy enough to be in this profession, was not able to adequately search for the puppy and did not act quickly enough to recover the puppy. I also fault the 1st sitter for not finding someone else more competent. If you can't commit to caring for an animal in a professional agreement DON'T DO IT! Our sweet little puppy is gone and Rover is NOT insured.

Thumbnail of user sandra.devlin1717
Washington
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 5th, 2023

$#*! this business for all the time I have waisted trying to $#*!ing logging in. Every time I try to put a password in, these words come up EXISTING. ACCOUNT ALREADY! And it just stops at that.Just think of all money you lost from me over this 5 years. I even called you guys today and this man have me in hold for hours.

Thumbnail of user janetr329
Canada
1 review
37 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2020

I have had the worst experience with one of Rover's sitters, Carla B. She works in the States (Atlanta, GA) and Canada (west coast and Ontario), so be aware if you come across her name. 2 things to be aware of, she is a CON ARTIST pretending to be a pet sitter, she abandoned my pets after 1 day of sitting (which was when I was already out of the country so was helpless) and she fakes an emergency to end the job. First she wanted to use the rover website, but as we started talking, she indicated she wanted cash, This is called diverting. Do not pay anyone cash, go through the web site all the time to protect yourself. Use the texting system not whatsapp or email to communicate with the sitter because that's your proof should something go awry with the job, and Also, take a copy of their Identification to confirm the name, address and legitimacy of the person working. It cost me a lot of money to replace her at the last moment when she said that I had 10 minutes to find another sitter, I'm not kidding either! She really said that!, I was totally screwed and spent 2 days while in airports trying to get a sitter while my pets were unattended at home without food or water. Also she took the money and RAN! $700 down the drain, plus the fees for the replacement sitter. Always ALWAYS pay through the website, if the sitter leaves early, the sitter is responsible for the cost of the next sitter. Know your rights when using this website.

Thumbnail of user luisitoj
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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August 5th, 2022

This is worst of the worse web site i have ever encountered in my lifetime.! You cant get anything done even if your life depend on it, Start with trying to contact a sitter. Good luck with that.!

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Thumbnail of user aa621
Pennsylvania
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 11th, 2022

Customer service can only be contacted through email where they continually send the same automated responses over and over again without resolving any issues for months at a time.

Thumbnail of user je198
New York
6 reviews
25 helpful votes
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January 28th, 2020

I'm really shocked and saddened by the amount of bad experiences people are reporting. To those who had a negative experience with your pet under a Rover sitter, I sincerely feel for you, I cannot even imagine. The truth is, these sitters are from a pool of the general public who sign up to become a sitter to choose from. It's an unfortunate fact of life that some people are unprofessional and dishonest.

I want everyone to know there are definitely good people who take this job seriously. Speaking for myself, I've been a Rover dog sitter since 2013 (leaving this review in 2020) with 5 Star reviews. When I created the account, I got a background check and took the very informative online safety course. I'm a dog owner myself, and I enjoy working with my people and animal clients. I have always treated dogs and other animals I care for just as I would care for my own.
If you're new to Rover, you may use code ******* for $20 off your first service. Never expires. Can be used on any Rover sitter. :)

Thumbnail of user loril597
Texas
1 review
8 helpful votes
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May 4th, 2021

Not sure why they are taking 42$ out of 210$. That's a bit too much! Very unfair. Might as well start your own business and not get your working money taken.

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Thumbnail of user janetteb79
Nevada
1 review
8 helpful votes
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April 12th, 2022

I am a Rover sitter, and have been for about a year. I absolutely LOVE animals, and this part-time gig became full time, since I truly enjoy being around dogs more than people. I would never neglect an animal or mistreat them in any way. They sleep with me while I board them, and get lots of love, attention, walks and treats! I prefer to do a meet and greet prior to boarding, but some owners don't care to, which is fine with me too. But as a pet owner myself, I would NEVER leave my precious baby with a complete stranger without at least meeting them and getting some sort of gut feeling from them.
Nor would I cancel last minute because I know how much of a bind it could put someone in when they have to travel. I honestly don't understand how people can be so inconsiderate. Another reason why I love animals more...
I have had my share of dishonest owners telling me how well-behaved and housebroken their dog is. Only to find out their dog pees everywhere, and chews everything in sight. Not to mention the aggression some of their 'friendly' dogs have towards other dogs. I am well aware of what can happen when animals are concerned, and limit myself to not take in more than 2 at a time, maybe 3 if they are repeat clients. Rover is just an app that puts people in contact with each other. Do your due diligence! Don't have some false sense of security with sitters unless you do your homework. Rover does take 15% of fees, but as a sitter, I feel safer going through the app, so I don't mind. Don't let the actions of a few bad people take away from the great resource Rover is!

Thumbnail of user paulg2828
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 12th, 2023

I signed up, got a confirmation, they took the money from my bank, then no sitter and no reason why, and noway to communicate with them. One star because I could not choose no stars.

Products used:
None

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Thumbnail of user lizng1cp
California
1 review
3 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2023

Due to foot pain, I looked into hiring a dog walker to walk my dog. I ended up trying 3 different walkers. One was fine. One went to the wrong house initially (!), and one never even showed up, and didn't even have the courtesy to contact me. I left a bad review and don't even see my review under his profile. So people are going to book him despite his unprofessionalism! I booked him because he had good reviews and repeat clients, but who knows how many bad reviews there are that rover isn't showing! I also don't think either of the other 2 dog walkers picked up dog poop as they didn't have poop bags to dispose of in my garbage bin after the walks.

As for rover, will not be using them again! First of all, you are charged when you make a booking. So if the walker/sitter does not show up, you were still charged and will have to wait to be refunded! You should only be charged upon completion of the service.

Customer support is horrible. The help system makes you jump through hoops with generic questions, and good luck if none of them applies to your issue. They really want you to click on their canned answers no matter what, before you can actually describe your problem.

Thumbnail of user cherylr96
Florida
1 review
9 helpful votes
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May 7th, 2018

No help whatsoever when a house sitter trashed my home, had an obvious party, stole jewelry, not to mention didn't take care of my dog property... NO LAYER OF PROTECTION OFFERED THRU THIS COMPANY... STAY AWAY!

Thumbnail of user staceyk67
Nevada
1 review
16 helpful votes
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December 15th, 2019

Our perfectly healthy dog collapsed and died shortly after getting her back from the care of a Rover.com sitter. Rover.com refused to answer our questions or help in anyway.

Thumbnail of user sharona438
Florida
1 review
16 helpful votes
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August 7th, 2019

READ THE OTHER REVIEWS PEOPLE! DO NOT USE ROVER.COM IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR PETS! Check out the latest... one of their "sitters" who tossed a tiny dog onto the floor. Google it! Rover.com takes ZERO responsibility for ANY of their sitters. PLEASE ONLY HIRE SOMEONE THAT HAS ACTUAL REFERRALS FROM PEOPLE YOU KNOW!

Thumbnail of user melindah316
Indiana
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 24th, 2022

I went through four different providers. First one said she would meet my dogs. Canceled multiple times right away. Finally came to meet them and said she would try to come the next day. Tokk a house key. Was too busy but would come Friday. I messaged to say I was home. No call or text and no show. No communication for. Weeks until she finally said she wasn't taking new clients.

Second came once. Then had an excuse for the next five days for why she couldn't. No communication. Just no show.

The third decided she won't go more than 15 minutes from home.

Fourth said oh yes she would come and then that night said. She hadn't updated her calender and was just too busy.

I read the CNN article about people's dogs being lost or killed or abused by providers who have only had a minimal background check. Rover accepts no responsibility.

I am done here.

Thumbnail of user aletheac1
California
1 review
5 helpful votes
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April 11th, 2018

I will never use or recommend this company. I hired a so called trusted pet sitter and the very first day within 3 hours my 11 week puppy had ran away from them, so she was not kept in a safe secure environment. She was in a room with an open window where she was able to escape and run out to a busy road. She was found by a near by neighbor who surrendered her to a vet hospital. For hours my puppy was missing and my daughter spent 2 1/2 hours looking for her. The company Rover.com claims they contacted local agencies, posted adds and made flyers I saw nothing online but I did find my puppy on google maps. If they had done what they said they did then they would have been alerted. I feel this company is dishonest, they are in it for money and do not care about clients. I asked for a full refund which was done by the sitter but I also asked for refund of my vet visit caused by the incident and they refused to pay it. A whole $38 and they are refusing to pay it, yet they lost my puppy and didn't do anything to make it right except for a refund. If I could give negative stars I would. Users beware I had the worst possible experience don't bother with this money hungry, negligent company that doesn't care about you or your furry friend.

Thumbnail of user jimosborne02
Oklahoma
1 review
3 helpful votes
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December 11th, 2023

My dog is apparently "drugged "! Rover wants you to "jump through hoops " just to make a complaint! I am a retired Police Inspector, a Clinical Psychotherapist,etc. Dont trust ROVER

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Thumbnail of user patriciah423
California
4 reviews
60 helpful votes
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June 13th, 2019

If I could leave a -1000% I would. I hired a person through Rover.com. First thing when I got home I received a call from the local police that a bag of my garbage had been found in a local drug store garbage bin. The store wanted to file an illegal dumping charge. Luckily for me I had been gone and didn't think that my dog sitter would do such a thing. I found out later she had done it. I should have known right then and there something was terribly wrong. However, because of all the assurances I read on Rover, I went a head and hired this person to help me with my dog and to do some chores around my house. I have many health problems and cannot always be up and about. I could not watch her every move. She started small, then about a week before she disappeared from my life she when shopping in my home and took whatever she wanted. I contacted Rover.com and got nothing. Zero. Do not trust the people they present, their vetting is a joke. If you do, be watchful, be careful and do not leave anything that might be of any value any where in your home.

Thumbnail of user carolb3465
North Carolina
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
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June 25th, 2023

Set up an appointment with a few and they did not show up never heard from them. Will look elsewhere apparently they're screening system does not work

Thumbnail of user emmac804
North Carolina
1 review
2 helpful votes
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October 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

Please don't use this site. I secured a dog sitter for my pup Persephone through Rover and this woman appeared to check all my boxes. I included extremely thorough information about my dog and her specific needs and the sitter said my dog was a perfect fit for her and that she could meet all of her needs. Not even a week later, she lost my dog at 3:30 in the morning. Her story was extremely suspicious and at the least she was extremely negligent. My dog is still missing and is likely dead. I haven't seen my sweet baby in over 2 months. And then this sitter had the audacity to blame the entire situation on my dog. Her behavior was disgusting and immature. She didn't search for my dog or put up fliers like she claimed to. Then she blocked me completely. My dog was a bait dog before I rescued her and she had an extremely rough life. She didn't deserve this. She deserved the best life and I tried to give that to her. So please do not use this site. It's impossible to know if the sitters are really who they say they are. There's not proper monitoring to ensure your dog is safe. Don't risk it. Please use a sitter that you already know and trust personally. I'm sharing this because of my sweet Persephone and with the hopes to prevent others from experiencing the immense pain and loss that I'm enduring.

Products used:
No products. I paid for temporary pet sitting services.

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Thumbnail of user barbaral80
Florida
1 review
11 helpful votes
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September 7th, 2021

If I needed to rely on a sitter so that I could go to work or a medical procedure-I don't believe I could count on Rover
To date, I have had 4 meet and greets---the first was "too busy", the second "got a better job" the third, did not call back and the fourth "don't know yet"---I have a nice dog--small, active dog--but this is ridiculous--you may need to look into your hired sitters--I need someone I can rely on... Barbara Lucero

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