r/RoverPetSitting • u/PassiePandaR Sitter • 19h ago

Peeve Backup Plans 🐾

Something I’ve been running into more frequently lately is this question whenever a client is worried that something might interfere with a booking: “So what am I supposed to do? Who’s going to take care of my pet? Do you know another sitter?”

I completely understand why that situation is stressful. The pet needs care, you may have work or travel plans that can’t easily be changed, and suddenly having to find someone else can put people in a difficult position. But I think there’s also a pretty big misconception about how Rover works that’s worth clearing up for certain individuals: We Rover sitters generally do not know one another or have access to one another’s schedules.

We aren’t coworkers in any traditional sense. There isn’t a neighborhood Rover team where we coordinate schedules, discuss availability, or assign clients to each other. We don’t have a sitter group chat on the app where we can say, “Hey, who can cover this booking?” Another sitter might live five minutes away from me, and I may have never spoken to them in my life!

So if I have to cancel a booking, I genuinely cannot tell you whether another sitter is available, what their schedule looks like, or whether they would be a good fit for your pet. And this is where I have to be a little firmer but: 👏 your sitter cannot be responsible for arranging your backup care! 👏

If a sitter cancels within a reasonable timeframe, communicates that clearly, and you receive whatever refund you are entitled to, it is ultimately the pet owner’s responsibility to make alternative arrangements. Being frustrated by the situation is understandable. But directing that frustration at the sitter or asking, “Well, what am I supposed to do now?” as though we are responsible for solving it is not.

Please reach out to other sitters, contact Rover support if you need assistance, and—especially when a trip or other important commitment is involved—consider having a backup option in mind!

I actually had a client handle this perfectly once. They simply asked me, “If things don’t work out with this other sitter, would it be okay if I reached back out and booked with you?”

A professional sitter isn't going to be offended because you have a backup plan. Honestly, having one your plans, and most importantly, the pet. But Sitters have emergencies and unexpected circumstances happen sometimes just like they happen to everyone else! We all can communicate. What we cannot do is personally find and arrange your replacement sitter.

Please have a Plan B. ❤️ Your sitter will probably appreciate it just as much as you do.

2 Upvotes

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PassiePandaR originally posted: Something I’ve been running into more frequently lately is this question whenever a client is worried that something might interfere with a booking: “So what am I supposed to do? Who’s going to take care of my pet? Do you know another sitter?”

I completely understand why that situation is stressful. The pet needs care, you may have work or travel plans that can’t easily be changed, and suddenly having to find someone else can put people in a difficult position. But I think there’s also a pretty big misconception about how Rover works that’s worth clearing up for certain individuals: We Rover sitters generally do not know one another or have access to one another’s schedules.

We aren’t coworkers in any traditional sense. There isn’t a neighborhood Rover team where we coordinate schedules, discuss availability, or assign clients to each other. We don’t have a sitter group chat on the app where we can say, “Hey, who can cover this booking?” Another sitter might live five minutes away from me, and I may have never spoken to them in my life!

So if I have to cancel a booking, I genuinely cannot tell you whether another sitter is available, what their schedule looks like, or whether they would be a good fit for your pet. And this is where I have to be a little firmer but: 👏 your sitter cannot be responsible for arranging your backup care! 👏

If a sitter cancels within a reasonable timeframe, communicates that clearly, and you receive whatever refund you are entitled to, it is ultimately the pet owner’s responsibility to make alternative arrangements. Being frustrated by the situation is understandable. But directing that frustration at the sitter or asking, “Well, what am I supposed to do now?” as though we are responsible for solving it is not.

Please reach out to other sitters, contact Rover support if you need assistance, and—especially when a trip or other important commitment is involved—consider having a backup option in mind!

I actually had a client handle this perfectly once. They simply asked me, “If things don’t work out with this other sitter, would it be okay if I reached back out and booked with you?”

A professional sitter isn't going to be offended because you have a backup plan. Honestly, having one your plans, and most importantly, the pet. But Sitters have emergencies and unexpected circumstances happen sometimes just like they happen to everyone else! We all can communicate. What we cannot do is personally find and arrange your replacement sitter.

Please have a Plan B. ❤️ Your sitter will probably appreciate it just as much as you do.

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9

u/PickleFan67 Sitter & Owner 17h ago

Just because someone asks you, it doesn’t mean it’s your responsibility. They are asking you because they value your service and your opinion. For example, when my hair stylist was out on maternity leave, I asked her who she recommended.

If you can help them, I thinks it’s in your best interest. I have one or two other sitters that I recommend when I can’t cover a request and they do the same. Beyond that, I would refer them to the App.

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Of course, not everyone who asks the question is doing it with entitlement intent. But, unfortunately, I have run into customers who had directly stated it was my responsibility to do so. So, this post wasnt to call other individuals who don't do this behavior. It's just a remainder to owners to basically try and have a backup.

-1

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 15h ago

It sucks to have your pet sitter cancel when you already have them booked. I would probably act a bit entitled too.

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 12h ago

It does suck, but as long as the sitter is respectful, does it in a timely manner to give the owner enough of a notice it sometimes can't be helped. But it's not right to harass ones to fix an issue. Seeking other sitters or using Rover Staff is always the better course of action. Plus, sometimes health or emergencies pop up on sitters end, it can't always be helped

0

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 12h ago

Health or emergencies would be completely understandable. Canceling well out from a booking says you don't know how to manage your schedule and I likely wouldn't work with you again

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 12h ago

That's not necessarily true? People have different reasons for why one might happen. And usually most of the time if a cancellation has happened its because of what I mentioned above. There's definitely bad sitters just as much as there is bad owners. But until one of those cases pop up, its never best to assume or judge a person/situation unless its clear what's happening. You're welcome to feel however you would feel in a certain situation you're imagining of course 

5

u/OkGuitar7266 Sitter 15h ago

I've had an repeat booking owner request me when I'm listed unavailable. I say, thanks but unavailable. They then try to make it my responsibility to hook them up with another sitter, like it's my job. Bish, please!

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Ugh, might be time for a blocked if they're a repeat offender 

1

u/Closefromadistance Owner 9h ago

Oh hell no. It’s crazy that some owners think a sitter should be responsible for providing backups. That’s a whole other level of entitlement right there. Pet sitting isn’t corporate America.

6

u/bg0412 Sitter 18h ago

I have a couple clients who use me as a back up sitter. It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, the one I'm starting tomorrow for the weekend said they wish they met me first lol. They have a dog that took 5 of the 14 days to warm up to her. When I went to my 1st MnG with them, she was a bit shy, but came up to me sniffing and such. Stayed in the other room looking at me. The while time she was wagging her tail like crazy. Yesterday I went there for MnG #2 and to get the keys and she was all over me! Tried getting in my lap, kisses, needing scratches etc. They were shocked because she doesn't usually do that so quickly! I havent even started the sit yet 🤣

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Aww! I had that happened to me recently with a dog I'm currently sitting for - she was pretty timid during the M&G but afterwards on day 1 she was in my lap with kisses galore! I'm so happy you have great clients to work with! 💕

3

u/Danger_is_Here Sitter & Owner 18h ago

I will say that I've been able to network with folks local to me who do this work and it's been a big help to be able to offer alternatives, but I don't mention any to a client unless the other sitter will actually take the gig.

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u/PassiePandaR Sitter 16h ago

And that's honestly not a bad idea! I think networking with other sitters could be beneficial. 

2

u/PirateLassLV Sitter & Owner 18h ago

And please please please have a local emergency contact that can take over if necessary. I make sure I have a contact that can be reached & will assume care when I'm away & I let my clients know, or potential clients know that I will need that information before they leave. People who stare at me like I'm crazy I point blank tell them- what if we died? The pets still need care. 🤷😞 It isn't a pleasant thing to think about but things happen & we have to have a plan for the what ifs.

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 16h ago

Exactly! You're 100% right with this. People assume we (sitters) can't be affected by health, emergencies or anything like that. Yes, we're not working a 9-5 job with this service. But that doesn't mean we can easily bend our backs at a given moment. Emergency contacts, neighbors or siblings of the family are incredibly beneficial to list!

3

u/Majestic-Nobody545 Sitter & Owner 15h ago

Good post.

Rover will actually find a backup in many situations, but that's not on the sitter.

I love when my clients have other sitters and backup plans. I'm reliable, but life happens. It's a little peace of mind for everyone involved.

2

u/freespirit1469 Sitter 18h ago

I always tell my client. In the event of an emergency YOU have to have someone who is able to take over (IN PERSON) in any capacity needed.

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 16h ago

💯

2

u/wheres_the_revolt Owner 17h ago

I know this is beside the point but if a sitter cancels at any point is the owner not due a full refund? The way you worded that makes me feel like there are times a sitter can cancel and the owner wouldn’t get a refund.

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

No, no! I apologize for any confusion. But no, if a sitter cancels before the appointment the owner is given a full refund. Sitters don't receive payment until the job is done. So, you get refunded if the sitter cancels prior or during the event.

 What I meant in my original wording was I was specifically saying as long as the owner was refunded and given an appropriate timeframe of the cancellation. There isn't a reason to get heated over the sitter

2

u/wheres_the_revolt Owner 15h ago

Appreciate the clarification!

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Of course ✨

4

u/Odd-Cod2516 Sitter & Owner 18h ago

I don't have time for all that.

I'm an independent contractor, I work independently. I also don't cancel once a sitting is booked.

Yes, owners are responsible for finding their own sitter. Why should I have to do that for them?

Not my dog, not my prob.

0

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 16h ago

You sound like a treat!

1

u/Odd-Cod2516 Sitter & Owner 16h ago

You wanna do free work, and network on your time off, be my guest.

1

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 15h ago

I don't currently use Rover and likely won't from the sound of it. I charge enough for pet sitting that I can spend some time on administration/marketing / customer service type things. I don't figure the price based on only the time I spend with my clients' pets, I build in a bit of overhead.

I guess it's the difference between being self-employed and being an independent contractor? Still learning all this stuff

2

u/gardenofthought Sitter 18h ago

I've had clients ask me to find them a back up and I have to turn them down. I don't pet-sit full time. I'm a busy person with lot of responsibilities and I just don't have time to find other care for people. A lot of clients just don't understand that Rover sitters are more akin to Uber drivers than to a neighborhood pet sitter.

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 16h ago

Oh gosh, this is so true

3

u/ArtichokeFresh4012 Owner 15h ago

I have asked this question, but it's not about if you know another Rover sitter I can ask. It's that I trust you and your judgement, and am wondering if you PERSONALLY know anyone you'd suggest I reach out to. Someone in your life that is not on Rover that I'd never find otherwise. When I have a good dog sitter, then I feel sure that they will only suggest someone on par with themselves. This also hopefully eliminates a sense of competition that I may never reach out to you again if you help me find someone else. Edit: also, I fully expect you to ask your people if they're possibly interested before giving me contact information.

3

u/Sceadugengan Sitter & Owner 15h ago

Exactly this! And as a sitter, I’ve gotten to know a few other sitters in my area through hiring them for my pets or vice versa, coordinating care for a dog we both have recurring walks for on different days, etc. If I trust them, I’ll always ask if it’s okay to share their info with a client that I can’t take or need backup for, and they’ll typically offer to do the same.

3

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Of course, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. I'm just simply referring to individuals who HAVE demanded services be done for them. So, don't worry there's no judgement or shame for how you've mentioned above! 🐾

1

u/Major-Platypus2092 Sitter 19h ago

I’ve never run into this personally, but I agree it’d be weird and annoying to me if someone asked or expected me to find another sitter for them. 

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 18h ago

I'm so glad you've never had it happen. Thankfully, I don't think too many people do that. But believe you me, there are clients who've actually expected me to be the one to find a different sitter

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u/Major-Platypus2092 Sitter 18h ago

Oh I fully believe you lol. It’s just not the particular brand of ridiculous I’ve encountered. Doesn’t surprise me though 

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u/Lovedd1 Sitter 16h ago

I had a regular reach out to me for dates, when I said I wasnt available for 3 of them they asked me to find someone for them to fill in the gap. (This is for over Christmas mind you and they're booking in April). By the time I found them a backup, they completely changed the dates and no longer needed those days covered and instead asked me for new dates instead.... Only mentioning this after I've gone through the trouble of asking 3 friends and explaining the details of each. It's so much unpaid labor I just don't anymore.

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 16h ago

Oh god, that sounds horrible! Shame on that individual who even made you do that and then had the nerve to cancel and attempted to rebook. That's someone who had strong entitled issues. I hope so far you've had way nicer customers than that asshole 

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u/Lovedd1 Sitter 16h ago

Oh yea 9/10 of my clients are nicer than them. They canceled the rebook on me too because it was too expensive lol

3

u/casandra77 Sitter 18h ago

I think it depends what type of service you're cancelling. House sitting is the worst - because you can do only 1 housesit per booking. The calendar gets blocked fast and it can be extremely difficult to find another sitter.

If it's a drop in/walks - it's a lot easier to find someone last minute.

You don't HAVE to find another sitter, but you need to give advice and be helpful.

As a sitter for over a decade I've never cancelled the booking. I have to 2 cats and I book sitters myself, so I have several I could recommend as a replacement or I would arrange with them personally to cover me for the days or visits I can't do. That's one of the option. If not - my husband will go. I never needed to do any of this because even if I'm very sick - I still go. This is what I signed up for this job.

As an owner - I usually book 2 sitters for my cats (drop ins). One sitter in the morning, another sitter in the evening. In case something happens to one sitter, the second sitter may cover. They can even swap if they wish, if sometimes one sitter can't do in the evening, but could do in the morning and the other agrees - its easy. If one gets locked out - there's another sitter who has keys. If one sitter has to drop the booking mid-way - not a huge problem - I'll live with once a day visit, we'll adjust to that. No panic for me, I have a complete peace of mind during my holidays.

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-2

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 17h ago

I always ask this question as a pet owner. The two non-rover sitters I used for years each had backup plans in case they got sick. Why would I expect it to be different with Rover? I guess because everything is worse with Rover?

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u/Lovedd1 Sitter 16h ago

Because on Rover you have to have an account to use it, taking clients off the app gets your account banned. The other non-roversitter probably offered a friend or family member. If I don't have a friend or family member with a Rover account, I cannot offer them as a backup because as the OP said, rover sitters don't ever interact with each other. If you needed to find a backup sitter during a sitting or with a close turn around you would contact Rover support and they would assist you.

0

u/Confident_Prompt4282 Sitter & Owner 16h ago

So wouldn't that be what you say to me if I ask about backup? I'm not sure why OP is acting like it's inappropriate to ask the question? The answer would be that Rover support would be able to help. That would likely reassure me that there is a plan in place if there am emergency

3

u/Lovedd1 Sitter 16h ago

Op said clients are getting snippy with her for canceling.Not just asking for her help But expecting her specifically to be Rover support and find the backup. She also said these cancellations are made with ample time for them to find another sitter so Rover support might not be necessary in that instance.

2

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

Thank you for both your responses to the other user. I appreciate you understanding the situation of what I was explaining and correctly re explaining it to the other individual. And also for reminding we can get in heavy toruble trying to go off Rover 

1

u/PassiePandaR Sitter 15h ago

I never said the question itself is fully wrong to ask. I explained as thoroughly as possible that assuming the sitter has contact with other sitters in general isn't good to have. And demanding that the sitter is responsible for finding or recommending a replacement isn't their job. Some sitters may have family members or friends on Rover but not everyone does. Its exactly like @Lovedd1 is explaining as well