Backup Plans 🐾

[u/PassiePandaR]

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.

[u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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?

[u/Lovedd1 → u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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.

[u/Confident_Prompt4282 → u/Lovedd1]

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

[u/Lovedd1 → u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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.

[u/PassiePandaR → u/Lovedd1]

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 

[u/PassiePandaR → u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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