Is Rover Worth It as a Side Hustle?

If you’re looking for a flexible side hustle with decent pay, you’ve probably come across Rover, a platform that pays you to provide pet care services. 

Pet sitting and dog walking can be a fun, easy way to make money on the side. But is Rover worth it?

In this Rover review, I’ll share my experience on how the platform works and how much you can make. I’ll also share a few tips you can use to maximize your earnings on Rover. 

What Is Rover?

Rover is a gig economy platform that connects pet owners with sitters and walkers to care for their pets. 

The platform has both a website and a mobile app where you can sign up to become a pet carer. Rover is available in 10 countries, including the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. 

While dogs are the most popular pets on Rover, you can still offer pet care services for birds, cats, reptiles, and more. 

Some of the pet gigs on Rover include:

• Pet sitting
• Doggy daycare
• Pet boarding
• Dog walking
• Grooming
• Drop in visits

The platform is ideal for setting up your pet care business. Its flexibility allows you to provide the services you’re more comfortable with. 

Aside from choosing the specific services you provide, you can also choose the types of pets you’re willing to work with. You can limit your services to dogs or cats and select the size limit for the pets you’ll watch.

As with most gig economy apps, your earning potential on Rover depends on the effort you put into the job. 

You’re hired as an independent contractor, meaning you create your schedule and control factors like how much you work and whether you want to watch the pets in the owner’s home or yours. 

Rover is a popular, fun side hustle you can do to make money in your free time. 

Is Rover Worth It?

Rover is a worthwhile side hustle if you’re looking for a flexible side job where you can make $20 to $25 per hour taking care of people’s pets. Plus, since you set your own rates, you have control over how much you earn. 

While dog walking is the primary way to earn on Rover, you can provide other lucrative services on the platform. 

Doggy daycare and dog boarding are other ways to make good money on Rover. Dog boarding pays the most because you can boost your earnings by providing services like grooming and medicine administration. 

It’s important to find what works best for you, depending on your schedule and income goals. Dog boarding may be the most lucrative, but it may not be ideal for you, depending on your schedule. 

You can also determine whether Rover is worth it by looking at what other users of the platform have to say. 

Here are a few comments from Rover sitters and walkers on Reddit:

• Ronimarie92 says: “It’s totally worth it! You get to hang out with animals and get daily exercise! Since I started Rover, I’ve been seeing improvement in my mental health.”
• SophiaBentley says: “I would say definitely try it! I started over a year ago, and so far this year, I’ve made $21,500. I have a full-time WFH job, so I only do this part-time. I only do boarding and daycare.”
• Background_Hat8725 says: “Everyone will have different experiences on Rover depending on a lot of variables.”

As you can see, people are making money on the side caring for pets on Rover, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t. If you’re an animal lover, Rover can be a perfect weekly side hustle.

How Does Rover Work?

When you join Rover, you sign up as an independent contractor, meaning you don’t get a fixed salary or benefits. 

This type of gig is ideal for people who want to be their own boss. Like most gig economy apps, Rover is easy to sign up for. 

Here’s how the platform works:

1. Sign Up

Getting started with Rover is a relatively simple and fast process. You can sign up for the platform provided you meet the qualifications. 

Here are the requirements for Rover sitters:

• Be 18 years or older
• Pass Rover’s background check
• Complete your Rover profile
• Have the Rover app
• Pass Rover’s walker certification
• Be available to work on weekdays

To sign up, you can use your email address or Facebook account. After registering, you’ll complete your profile by taking the basic online training and filing for a background check. 

You must pay $25 for the background check and a profile review. This will take some time to complete, but it’s an essential step in the onboarding process. 

2. Set Up Your Profile

After signing up for Rover, you can create an eye-catching profile to attract clients. The first step is selecting the services you’ll be providing. 

You have to select at least one service you’re interested in. Rover allows you to add more services later. 

The services to choose from are:

• Boarding
• House sitting
• Drop in visits
• Doggy daycare
• Dog walking

Your profile should tell pet owners more about you. You should include details like your name, location, a brief bio, pet care experience, and information about any pets you own. 

You don’t have to upload your photos, but having them on your profile will increase your chances of finding clients. 

Uploading photos of yourself with pets is a great way to connect with pet owners because they want to see that you love animals. 

If you have any care-related certifications or licenses, list them on your profile to gain a competitive advantage. 

You can check out other walker and sitter profiles on Rover to see what you’re up against before setting up your profile. This is also important when setting your rates.

Rover gives you the average pay data for every service, and you can use this information to price your services competitively. You don’t want to price yourself out of business. 

You can also choose the type and size of animals you’re willing to work with so you’re not uncomfortable. 

Provide adequate details about the services you offer. For instance, if you provide boarding services, you can specify the details of your home, like if there’s a yard and other pets. 

3. Accept Requests from Clients

The Rover team manually reviews your profile, and once you’re approved, you’ll start getting client requests. 

When clients like your profile, they contact you through your Rover inbox to make inquiries and book your services. 

Ensure you have the app on your phone and notifications are enabled so you can reply to the requests quickly to improve your ranking. 

When you get a request from a client, you can review it to determine whether it’s a good fit. Sometimes, clients may ask for references or request a meeting before handing their pets over to you. 

It’s important to keep your interactions with clients polite and professional. Ensure you ask questions about the pet to be fully equipped to provide adequate care. 

Going the extra mile helps you get excellent reviews and recommendations from the clients, which enables you to charge higher for your services and ultimately make more money.

It’s also advisable to have a few pet supplies to make your pet-sitting and dog-walking business easier. Here are a few supplies you should consider:

• Toys: This isn’t required, but having a few pet toys will help you interact playfully with the pet and keep them occupied. 
• Leashes: Clients typically provide leashes for their dogs, but there’s no harm in having a few extra leashes for the different dog sizes you’ll be walking. 
• Crate: A crate or pet carrier is another investment that makes picking up and dropping off small pets like dogs and cats easier. It also helps secure the pets in the car as you drive. 
• Poop bags: As a dog walker, you’re required to pick up after your dog(s), so it’s essential to have a few poop bags with you when on the job. 
• Treats: These can also help you interact better with the pet. However, confirm with the owner before giving their pet treats because some may have restrictive diets or food allergies. 

Rover tracks your performance based on metrics like your response rate, booking rate, client reviews, and the number of repeat clients. 

A high ranking helps you book more clients, so working on your performance scores is important. Ensure you respond quickly, accept booking requests early, and provide excellent services so your clients rate you highly. 

4. Get Paid

Rover deposits your money two days after the service is complete. Your payments will be reflected in the payment section of your profile. 

You can withdraw your funds using one of three payment methods:

• PayPal
• Check 
• Direct deposit

PayPal is a good choice because there are no fees if you use the service, and the funds will reflect on the same day the transaction is processed. 

If you opt to receive your money via check, it may take up to five days for it to be released, and there’s a $5 fee for the transaction. 

You can also receive your money via direct deposit. You’re required to provide your bank account information and Social Security Number to facilitate the transfer. 

How Much Does Rover Pay?

Rover’s pay depends on factors like the type of service you provide and the number of hours you work. Typically, doggy daycare and boarding pay more than dog walking. On average, you can make between $15 and $20 an hour to walk dogs and $25 to $40 per hour boarding pets. 

While you set your own rates on Rover, the app helps you set a rate by comparing your prices to other Rover care providers in your area. 

Your market is another factor that influences your earning potential. Some markets are more populated and busier than others, meaning you can charge higher prices. 

Rover charges a 20% fee for bookings made on the platform, so consider this when setting your prices. 

Your earnings should be enough to pay the fees and still make a decent profit. The 20% fee is rather steep, but it pays for the convenience of using the platform to book clients and covers the Rover Guarantee, health insurance in case of an emergency. 

You should also remember that as a Rover sitter or walker, you’re an independent contractor, which has tax implications. 

If your Rover earnings in a year exceed $600, you’re required by law to report the income on your tax return. 

Pros and Cons of Rover

Is Rover worth it? This depends on your goals for a side hustle. Here are a few pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:

Pros:

• Earn money by spending time with animals
• Easy to sign up
• You set your schedule, services, and prices
• Decent hourly pay
• The Rover guarantee insures pet injury
• No minimum threshold for payment
• A referral program that benefits both parties

Cons:

• Rover charges a rather steep 20% fee
• Pay does not cover travel time
• $25 payment for background check
• The sign-up process takes time

It’s important to consider the pros and cons of the platform and consider what’s most important to you. If you’re looking for easy cash gigs near you, Rover is a good option. 

Tips for Making More Money on Rover

Like most flexible side hustle gigs, your earning potential on Rover depends on your effort and efficiency. Some Rover sitters and walkers even make $5000 a month and higher. 

Here are a few tips you can use to get more clients and make more money on Rover:

• Get certified: Safety is important to clients, so certifications like Pet CPR certifications go a long way in increasing your credibility as a care provider. 
• Always communicate: You should always keep a clear line of communication between you and the client. Keeping in touch periodically helps reassure the client. You can even send a few photos of the pet to the owner.
• Encourage reviews: Your reviews on Rover are essential to your ranking and ability to attract other clients, so you should encourage your clients to leave testimonials on your profile. 
• Price your services competitively: Remember you’re competing with other sitters and walkers for the same clients, so ensure your prices are reasonable. Still, avoid setting too low prices. The money you make should be enough to make the side hustle worth your time.

Extra Reading: How To Turn $10k Into $100k

The Best Alternatives To Rover

Rover may not be available in your area, or it may not be a good fit for some reason. In that case, you can still find other simple gigs to make $20 a day or more. 

Here are a few Rover alternatives to try:

• Wag: This is another platform you can use to make money for pet sitting, dog walking, and providing other pet-related services like pet training. You’re also hired as an independent contractor and can set your rates and schedule. 
• Care.com: This platform started out as a site for connecting parents with childcare service providers. It has now grown to include services for pets and older adults. You can sign up to provide caregiving services for any category. 
• TaskRabbit: This is a great platform to consider if you’re looking for short, simple tasks to make money. You can sign up as a Tasker and start making money by offering services like yard work, furniture assembly, electronics mounting, and more. 
• DoorDash: If you want to make money delivering food via bike or car, DoorDash is a great option. 
• GoShare: You can sign up for this platform and make money helping people and businesses move. If you own a truck, this is one of the best gigs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does Rover Pay Per Walk?

Your Rover earnings per walk will depend on factors like your market and rating. Typically, you’ll make $20 on Rover per walk and up to $30 for longer walks. 

How Much Does Rover Take?

Rover allows sitters and walkers to set their rates, but the platform deducts a 20% service fee for every booking. 

Is Rover Worth It After Taxes?

For most people, Rover is worth it, even after taxes. You can make $20 to $25 per hour on Rover, and you can work on your schedule. It’s a fun, easy way to make money doing what you already enjoy. 

Is Rover Safe?

Rover has measures in place to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Rover sitters and walkers must pass a background check before being accepted on the platform. 

Besides, the Rover guarantee insures pet injuries in case of an emergency. 

How Long Does It Take for Rover To Pay You?

Payments for services provided appear in your account two days after completion. This allows the company to settle any issues or complaints regarding the service before issuing payment. 

Do People Tip on Rover?

Some clients show their appreciation for exemplary services by giving a tip. If you’re tipped for your services, you receive 100% of the tips.

 If the client includes the tip after paying for the booking, the money will take 24 hours to reflect. 

Final Thoughts

Is Rover worth it? Yes, Rover is worth it if you’re looking for a flexible side hustle where you make money providing pet care services. Hopefully, my review has given you more information to help you decide if Rover is worth your time. 

Ultimately, whether a side gig is worth it depends on your goals. Rover is a safe and legitimate platform to make money on the side. 

It can also be a fun way to make money if you like spending time with animals. Dog walking with Rover is a great way to exercise and make money simultaneously. 

With the right strategies, you can use Rover in a way that suits your lifestyle and benefits you financially. 

Happy side hustling!

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