House Sitting Ankeny
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 248 pet parents in Ankeny have booked house sitting
Ankeny, Find top rated house sitting
Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
“Lexi has been a fantastic sitter for Taz (our dog) and Lola (our cat). This was our first time, so we were very nervous about leaving them for quite a few days, but Lexi ensured we got frequent updates on how they were doing! Constantly checked in and made sure everything was in order. She even took Taz for some car rides and pup cups! She is honestly the sweetest person we've met here in Iowa. Since we recently moved here, it has been awesome to find someone so truly honest, caring, and responsible in taking care of our babies at home. She is an A+!!! 💖”
“Emily was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we connected, she was professional, communicative, and genuinely caring. She treated my pet like family and went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of while I was away. The updates, photos, and attention to detail gave me complete peace of mind. It was obvious that my pet was happy, comfortable, and receiving plenty of love and attention. Coming home to a well-cared-for, relaxed pet made all the difference. If you’re looking for someone trustworthy, responsible, and truly passionate about animals, I cannot recommend Emily highly enough. I would gladly book with her again and encourage anyone considering her services to do the same.”
“We loved having Megan stay with our three kitties. She sent texts, pics, and videos every day, and I could tell our boys were well cared for. We have a senior cat who needs meds daily, and she kept a daily record of his meds. I enjoyed meeting Megan, highly recommend her, and wouldn't hesitate to reach out to have her stay with our kitties next time we take a trip.”
“Jessica was absolutely fantastic while caring for our dog, Bella, during our trip to New York City. From the moment we met her, it was obvious how much she genuinely loves animals, and that care and compassion showed throughout Bella's entire stay. We received updates that gave us peace of mind, and it was clear Bella was happy, comfortable, and well cared for. What really impressed us was the extra level of care Jessica provided around our home. Not only did she leave everything spotless, but I honestly think the house was cleaner than when we left. She even started the laundry for the bedsheets she used before leaving—something we never expected and certainly didn't ask her to do. Those thoughtful touches speak volumes about her character and professionalism. We would not hesitate to book Jessica again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone trustworthy, responsible, and genuinely caring to look after their pets. Bella was in excellent hands!”
“Chloe took amazing care of our rescue dog, Moxi! She was very patient with Moxi, who is anxious and takes a long time to get comfortable with new people, and we came home to a happy pup. I especially appreciated how communicative Chloe was throughout the stay, sending pictures and updates daily. She went above and beyond with the house too (taking the sheets off the bed, running the dishwasher), which was nice to come home to. We will definitely hire Chloe again!”
“Amber was great. She took great care of my dogs and house. My Beagle does not like storms and she kept him calm during a little storm. This was my first time using Rover and she gave me a great first experience. I will be hiring her for future needs.”
“This was our first time using Rover and it was a great experience! Allison took great care of our house and our dog. She was responsive (sent lots of cute photos of our dog), followed the care instructions we left, and left our home in great shape! We are so happy that we found someone trustworthy to watch our dog. We look forward to having Allison stay with our dog in the future. We definitely recommend booking with Allison!”
About: I've taken care of dogs of all sizes, cats and numerous other household companions. I have roughly 14 years of pet care experience which includes personal, professional and volunteer experience. I have experience with puppies and geriatric dogs. I have taken courses in pet first aid and advanced pet handling. I have a flexible schedule and am available for drop in visits, dog walking and pet/house sitting on most days! I am more than happy to work out a one-time, temporary, or long-term schedule with you. I am in the process of obtaining my dog training certification. At this time, I can only provide care in client's homes. I will follow all instructions given regarding scheduling, care, and safety with your pets in your home.
About: I have been a dog owner for as early as I can remember. I grew up with dogs and have always loved taking care of them. I am the proud owner of a Norwegian Elkhound named Luna. Luna gets along well with others and I take her to the dog park frequently. I am a very outdoorsy person and love taking my dog for walks and spending time with her!I live here in Seattle with my boyfriend who is also a very outdoorsy person. We love hiking together as well. I can't wait to meet your pup! Thank you for your consideration😊 I currently work as a Dental Assistant but only 3 days a week. The days alternate weekly so depending on the week I will have different availability. I will however always have Saturdays and Sundays off! I live in a one bedroom apartment in the Udistrict so I mainly walk my dog from my apartment to the park that is two blocks away. Will go multiple time a day.
About: New to Rover, not new to pet care. My golden retriever Annabelle has trained me well. I know the drill: the zoomies that need burning off, the "I definitely didn't just eat" stare, the way every dog thinks their routine is sacred (it is). I've also got two guinea pigs, Mimzy and Pip, so I'm no stranger to smaller, more delicate care too, if that's ever part of the mix. I care for pets of all shapes, sizes, and species. Big, small, fluffy, scaly, I've got you! I help pet parents actually enjoy their time away with peace of mind that their animals are okay. Here's how: 📸 Photo & video updates 🚶 Walks 🏠 Multi-pet households 💊 Medication administration 🧓 Senior pet care 🍽️ Picky eaters & special diets 🐾 Comfortable with reptiles & small animals too I work from home with a flexible schedule, so pet care fits naturally into my day. Walks around the neighborhood are already part of this routine, and I'd love to bring your dog along! When I care for your pets, their safety is my number one priority. I make sure doors, gates, and leashes are always secure so pets can't slip out unexpectedly. I keep your contact details on hand at all times, and I do a quick safety check of the space before I leave. If anything ever went wrong, I'd contact you immediately and get your pet to a vet right away.
About: I am very versatile. Adaptable. I have always tended to lean toward older dogs and have had older dogs up to age of 18. I have an absolute love of all animals. I work 2 days a week Wed and Friday. Friday is an 8 hour day in Ankeny. I am available after 445 on Fridays. I love all living creatures but I am allergic to cats. I have owned dogs, my last one passed away last year. I am a nurse and am very comfortable giving meds, injections and recognizing illness in dogs. I have done all of these things with past pets and dog sits. It would have to be in clients home. My current living situation does not allow for sitting in my home. I am well traveled and adapt well to many situations. I grew up in Des Moines and am very familiar with the area and surrounding areas.
“Aaliyah was so sweet and took great care of our dog! She regularly sent updates and photos, and left our home cleaner than it was when she got there. I cannot recommend her enough!!”
“Molly was absolutely fabulous! While we were gone we received lots of pictures from her letting us know how things were going and that our babies were enjoying their time with her. I usually am anxious when we go out of town about how things are going but was completely relaxed during our entire trip! This was our first time using Rover and everything went very smoothly!”
About: I have been around dogs since I was born and have years of experience. During 2020, my family got a new puppy and I trained him for 4 months until he was about 5 months and then I left for college. I have dog sat for my neighbors a handful of times as of recent and want to offer my services to other people with fur babies of their own :) I also currently have two roommates, each with a dog, and help out whenever they are gone and throughout the day as I work from home. I currently work fully corporate job Monday through Friday. Weekends work the best for my schedule but I am available during the week if the situation permits. I am respectful of your space and the pups space and tend to keep to my area. I always make sure he/she is comfortable throughout my time caring for the pup.
About: I've taken care of three dogs of my own for the last 3. My oldest pup turned 10 this year. I love learning each pups love language to best take care of them. I'm available for drop ins at your home as well as short or long in home stays while you're aware to ensure your dogs are well taken care of. I look forward to caring for your pets like you would and keeping them safe, snuggled and well cared for while you're away. I will make sure they are loved and taken care of like I would want mine to be.
“Jennifer took great care of our pup, Rocky! She spent quality time with him, made sure to only take him on walks in safe temperatures, and he was happy and tired when we got home!”
“Donna was nice and very easy to work with. She was reliable and on time for both the initial meeting and for the stay so we could leave on time. She did a great job and provided some good updates and pictures of the dogs. Thanks for taking good care of them!”
“Shelbi was great with our dogs. She was on time to every visit and spent time with the dogs letting them run and play and eat and rest. She was also a good communicator letting us know how they were doing and sharing some photos.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in Ankeny is $45
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Ankeny
Stephanie was so helpful and accommodating while sitting for us! She stayed the whole weekend with our dog who has severe seperation anxiety. It was so nice being able to have a weekend away and not have to worry about our girl. Stephanie sent pictures and updates all day, everyday so we always knew how Neva was doing. Neva takes several medications and Stephanie had no problem giving those on schedule for us. She also went above and beyond while we were away, and did laundry and dishes so we had nothing to worry about when we arrived home. I can't recommend Stephanie enough!
Meg took such good care of my dog while we were away for a week and I wouldn’t hesitate to book again in the future! Ranger came down with a GI illness right before we were due to leave but Meg took it in stride and accommodated the meds and food changes prescribed by his vet, on top of his already higher need for structured routine. I especially appreciated the daily pupdates and clear communication, and I felt like my best friend was in safe and capable hands. I would definitely recommend Meg, especially for pups who need extra quality time and attention to detail!
Jessie did a WONDERFUL job taking care of our pets and home. She was so thoughtful and calm which was important for one of our dogs who is a super nervous pup. Jessie was compassionate and patient with our dogs and we are grateful she was able to house/pet sit. We highly recommend Jessie for your pet/house sitting needs
Pamela took wonderful care of our dog, Ozzy, while we were away for the weekend. From the start, she was communicative, reliable, and clearly cared about making sure he was comfortable and well cared for. We received updates and photos throughout his stay, which gave us great peace of mind while we were traveling. We would absolutely trust her to watch Ozzy again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a dependable and caring pet sitter. Thank you, Pamela, for taking such great care of our boy!
Emily was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we connected, she was professional, communicative, and genuinely caring. She treated my pet like family and went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of while I was away. The updates, photos, and attention to detail gave me complete peace of mind. It was obvious that my pet was happy, comfortable, and receiving plenty of love and attention. Coming home to a well-cared-for, relaxed pet made all the difference. If you’re looking for someone trustworthy, responsible, and truly passionate about animals, I cannot recommend Emily highly enough. I would gladly book with her again and encourage anyone considering her services to do the same.
Jennifer was amazing! She was timely with her responses, arrived exactly when she said she would, and provided great updates throughout the booking. We booked her last-minute over the Thanksgiving holiday, and it was so reassuring knowing our fur babies were being well cared for. We’re so grateful for her help, thank you so much, Jennifer!
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
How to book house sitting
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer house sitting.
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit.
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform.
Popular requests for house sitting - Ankeny
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Ankeny average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Ankeny
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of House Sitting in Ankeny is $50 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $31 and $85 per night. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of October 2026, there are 612 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Ankeny. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Beyond belly rubs and feeding schedules, a house sitter’s presence may provide an additional layer of security for your home. However, you will need to arrange overnight stays and other household tasks with your sitter when reaching out to them. Not all sitters offer the same services. Common household tasks you can negotiate include:
- Mail & deliveries: Collecting letters and packages so they don't pile up.
- Plant care: Keeping your indoor or outdoor garden hydrated.
- Trash & recycling: Taking trash cans to the curb on scheduled pickup days.
- Home security: Sitters can stay overnight to keep your home occupied.
The best way to align on expectations is during your free Meet & Greet. Use this time to provide a "home cheat sheet" that includes your preferred Ankeny walking routes, the location of your favorite pet store, and any specific quirks about your home’s security or appliances.
It’s helpful to think of house sitting as a "home base" service. Most sitters in Ankeny maintain their normal daily routines, like running errands or heading to the office, meaning your pet should be comfortable being alone for a few hours at a time. If your pet needs a little extra company, here is how to find the perfect match:
- Look for "WFH" sitters: Many sitters mention "Work from Home" on their profile to indicate they’ll be present for the majority of the day.
- Update your pet’s profile: Write down how long your pet can comfortably be left alone. This helps sitters quickly determine if their schedule aligns with your needs.
- Communicate 24/7 needs: Standard house sitting usually doesn't include constant supervision. If your pet requires round-the-clock care, be sure to discuss this upfront.
Tip: Use the Meet & Greet to confirm a sitter's typical "away" windows. Transparency ensures your pet stays happy and your sitter can plan their day effectively!
Key handling is entirely up to you and your sitter to agree on during the Meet & Greet or in the Rover app. Most pet parents in Ankeny choose to hand over a spare key or digital fob in person, while others arrange a lockbox or unique access code. Don't forget to discuss key returns as well!
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the , which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit .
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your pet to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your pet is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
A Meet & Greet is a casual meeting to vet potential sitters and communicate care needs for peace of mind before a booking begins. Only sitters who have never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover; however, you are welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you have previously booked. This can be helpful if you have a new pet or routine you want to go over with your sitter.
Meet & Greets can take place in person or virtually. If you are booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your sitter interacts with your pet or the new environment.
During the Meet & Greet, you will have a chance to walk through your pet's routine, medical needs, and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your sitter questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Meet & Greets are a great way to prepare your pet and sitter for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first .
sitters on Rover set their own , which you can find on their profile under their contact information. Sitters may set a same-day, one-, three-, or seven-day cancellation policy. Cancelling within your sitter’s cancellation policy qualifies you for a full refund.
Same-day cancellations for recurring services, which include walks, drop-ins, and day care, follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for pet boarding and house sitting, if you cancel after 12 pm on the applicable cancellation deadline, you’ll receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for any remaining days.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means you will get a full refund and our support team will work with you to find a replacement sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Ankeny. On Rover:
- 91% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 96% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 96% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
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