Rover Review: Your Guide to a Rewarding Dog Walking Side-Hustle

Issue #05 | July 19, 2023

Welcome to Pawpreneurs! We're more than just a bi-weekly newsletter – we're your partner in turning your passion for pets into a thriving business. Whether you're a solo operator, a weekend side hustler, or a growing team, we've got your back. Your passion for pets deserves a profitable outlet. Let's transform your dream into a bustling business, one paw at a time. Pawpreneurs is here to guide, support, and inspire.

If you're a pet lover, Rover.com may be your perfect side gig! I tested Rover for six months in 2022; I can vouch for its reliability and convenience. If you are starting out in wanting to start a dog walking business or considering a side hustle, Rover might be where you should start. Connect with dog owners effortlessly through this leading online platform, established in 2010 and now one of the largest in the pet care industry.

In this newsletter, I'll share my first-hand experience and cover all you need to know about Rover, including how it works, requirements, earning potential, and seamless payment methods. Let's also delve into Rover's fees to help you make an informed decision about this exciting opportunity!

Before we dive in, let’s cover some of the basics.

Rover was born out of the love and dedication of pet parents in Seattle, Washington. Their mission? To connect dog owners like us with the perfect caretakers for our furry friends. With services ranging from dog walking to pet sitting, boarding, and daycare, Rover makes finding the best care for our beloved pets effortless. From bustling cities to cozy neighborhoods, Rover is there for us, available in over 14,000 cities across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

What is Rover?

Rover is an online platform for pet care that connects dog owners with dog walkers and sitters, thus allowing you to work as an independent contractor. On the Rover platform, you can offer dog walking, pet-boarding, doggy daycare, housesitting, and drop-in services. Dog owners can search for Rover sitters in their area by location, price, offered services, reviews, and more. Once they find a Rover sitter that they like, they can book and pay for services directly through the Rover website or app.

How does Rover work?

To start providing your services on Rover, first, you need to create an account with the website or app. This includes adding basic contact information like a photo and rates for what type of service(s) you offer as well as downloading their required mobile application if that's where clients will be getting all communications from during business hours!

Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed, approved, or rejected. It takes up to five to ten business days. If accepted, pet owners will be able to book your services.

What are the requirements for being a dog walker on Rover?

There are no specific requirements to be a Rover sitter, but you must be at least 18 years old and live in an area where Rover operates. While a background check isn't required, it helps with peace of mind with your potential clients.

• Be 18 years or older and live in an area where Rover operates.

• Complete your profile and pass a background check.

• Have the latest version of the Rover app.

• If you plan to care for dogs in your home, you must live in a residence that allows pets.

Rover was born out of the love and dedication of pet parents in Seattle, Washington. Their mission? To connect dog owners like us with the perfect caretakers for our furry friends. With services ranging from dog walking to pet sitting, boarding, and daycare, Rover makes finding the best care for our beloved pets effortless. From bustling cities to cozy neighborhoods, Rover is there for us, available in over 14,000 cities across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

How to get paid on Rover?

Rover pays via direct deposit or PayPal. You can choose to be paid for all services rendered within a given week, or you can be paid instantly for each service as it is completed. There is no minimum payout amount, so you can cash out your earnings anytime.

Your funds are available to withdraw two days after completing service with Rover. You can choose between three payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit, or check. With PayPal and direct deposit, there are no fees, and you’ll receive the funds quickly (usually within one to four days). Getting paid via check takes up to five business days for processing and up to 20 days to arrive. Plus, you’ll pay a $5 fee.

How to get paid on Rover?

Rover pays via direct deposit or PayPal. You can choose to be paid for all services rendered within a given week, or you can be paid instantly for each service as it is completed. There is no minimum payout amount so that you can cash out your earnings anytime.

Your funds are available to withdraw two days after completing service with Rover. You can choose between three payment methods: PayPal, direct deposit, or check. With PayPal and direct deposit, there are no fees, and you’ll receive the funds quickly (usually within one to four days). Getting paid via check takes up to five business days for processing and up to 20 days to arrive. Plus, you’ll pay a $5 fee.

Can you really make $1k on Rover?

When I embarked on my journey with Rover in 2022 to see if this was a viable side hustle or to kick-start a dog-walking business, I discovered a world of incredible opportunities in the pet care industry. (Prior to this I had dabbled with Rover here and there in 2019 and 2021.) As an avid pet lover, I decided to specialize in offering dog boarding services for small-breed dogs weighing under 15 lbs. While these adorable pups didn't require long walks, their pet parents sought reliable care when they traveled.

However, I also noticed that larger breed dogs were in high demand for dog walking services, making it an enticing option for those interested in working with bigger furry companions.

Because I was based in San Francisco, I set my rates at $65 per dog per night for dog boarding ($75 on holidays) and $28 per dog per 30-minute dog walk ($36 on holidays). This allowed me to provide exceptional care while ensuring fair compensation for my time and expertise. With dedication and a passion for what I do, I consistently earned over $1,000 each month, with dog boarding accounting for the majority of my income, much of it coming from dog boarding.

A good thing to keep in mind is to price yourself according to your competitors (aka other Rover service providers); you can charge more for multiple dogs, size of dog, etc.

What are the Rover fees?

Rover takes a 20% percentage of each booking, so how much you make will depend on the price you set. Any tips earned are 100% yours. In my time testing this out, tipping came more so from boarding vs dog walking. Most pet parents tipped the 20% lost in the Rover fee, which was nice of them. I didn’t see tipping with dog walking with repeat clients, but more so on one-off dog walks.

If you're looking for a flexible way to make extra cash, Rover may be the perfect opportunity! With Rover, you can set your hours and prices and work as little or as much as you want. Just be sure to do your research ahead of time to understand the fees involved and how they will affect your earnings. Thanks for reading! We hope this Rover review was helpful!

Is Dog Walking on Rover Worth It?

In short, yes! Working on Rover as a part-time side hustle is a great opportunity to make extra cash. While some people work as pet sitters full-time, it may not work for everyone. However, if you provide excellent service, you will likely make enough money to work full-time. The only major drawback about Rover is that if you offer boarding services and say a dog causes damage to your home, Rover does not cover these costs. I’ve had this happen where a fur client destroyed all my plants and chewed up books and gym equipment. I communicated back to the dog’s owner. Luckily she understood and offered to pay for the cost of the damage. Otherwise, it is a great way to make supplemental income in your free time. Rover is also great if you are starting as a dog walker!

Rover provided me with a fulfilling side hustle and an avenue to connect with adorable dogs, build trusting relationships with their owners, and contribute to the well-being of beloved pets. If you're passionate about caring for animals and want to explore the world of professional dog walking and pet boarding, Rover offers a remarkable platform to unleash your potential and achieve financial success.

Take the leap, join Rover, and discover the joy of turning your love for pets into a rewarding and lucrative venture.

So, can Rover be a full-time job?

Rover can be a full-time job and source of income if you are willing to work to earn enough income. There have been several news stories of people who work on Rover above the minimum wage, which means it’s possible. However, starting with it as a part-time job or side hustle might be best until you build your clientele, get a good flow going, and see how you’d like to niche down within your dog walking and pet care business.

Until next time!

Valerie & the team at Pawpreneurs.com!

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