Are there background checks for owners?

They do have to enter in a valid address/phone number when they register for the site and of course valid payment info if they book a stay, so clients are not completely anonymous. That provides some amount of protection (assuming everyone thought about how easy it is to track them before doing something stupid), but they do not have to undergo a background check.

Hi, Since a similar question was answered under sitter to sitter forum, I've pasted the link for your review. https://www.rover.com/community/quest...

I do not know of any additional measures Rover takes, so it's advisable to start a meet & greet out in public. Maybe that's on a grassy area outside near where they park, which gives the dogs and you and opportunity to meet and sniff things out before going inside your home or theirs. If your instinct tells you there's something you're not comfortable with, you can just end it outside. Before the meet & greet, you might consider telling someone you know a time that you'll check in with them after it's ended. Although every meet & greet isn't a match, I think you'll find as most sitters have that usually the pet-parent is concerned with finding the right person for their pets and does not pose a threat.

Hi, wanting to answer. Some open and fluid suggestions, (take and hear what you like): a sitter and caretaker can request from the pet Family/pet handler (owner) their LinkedIn plus their partner or roommate's linkedin and or Facebook or Twitter or IG. a screenshot of a few pages and scroll screenshots. you can ask them to send a pic, some blurred parts ok, of their work badge to show who they are. requesting this is okay because it gives you addt'l info and context.

someone can also ask the owner/Family for names and last name initials of all adults and teens who live there, or just of adults. you can also bring a chaperone or two who watches you enter the home and knows an expected tome for you to exit or pop out and say it's going ok.

 You can tell the main owner that your best friends or aunt/uncle/neighbor are aware of where you are and your role there and estimated time of departure. during a meet and greet , you can possibly have a safe mobile audio recorder (including app) handy in public to capture anything you want to have record of from a public space.

you can also take a selfie or two of yourself prior to entering the home, and send it to your best friends or parents or Partner. or post it to a story or thread.

keep in your car or on your external windshield where you will be going and for approx. how long and the date, plus first name of the host. and your mobile number.

Based on some harassment I have received from another sitter and her boyfriend in my area, I have reason to believe that the valid phone number/address is not enough to really serve as a background safe guard for sitters. Anyone can create a "fake" or temporary phone number online these days, and anyone can claim a fake address within the same zip code for using a credit card.

There is absolutely no reason why a meet and greet should NOT be an option (you should ALWAYS do one) and go with your gut about a person and/or their dog prior to booking.