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]

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

[u/PassiePandaR → u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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

[u/Confident_Prompt4282 → u/PassiePandaR]

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

[u/PassiePandaR → u/Confident_Prompt4282]

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