House Sitting Ankeny
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 245 pet parents in Ankeny have booked house sitting
Ankeny, Find top rated house sitting
About: I’ve had for dogs of every age and size for my entire life, but have been a serious caretaker of them for about 10 years. I can give medicines including insulin shots, and will heed every dietary and exercise need given to me. I’m currently working full-time, however I commute from Ames to Des Moines every day so I am used to driving long distances. I also have a very flexible schedule and can work from home if I can give at least 2-3 days notice; I can leave for long periods at lunch; and I can get off work early if a drop-in visit is needed before 4:00. I can also stay as late as necessary into the evening, as long as expectations are communicated beforehand. I am extremely communicative and I will let my clients know if I am early, behind, or unable to complete a task. I cannot take pets into my apartment or workplace, however, I have experience with strictly and loosely trained animals in just about every situation under the sun. I am comfortable staying the night in a well secured home, or taking a few minutes to play with the pet(s) in the middle of the day. I am extremely clean and organized and will strive to leave my clients’ homes in the same shape or cleaner in case there are any accidents, as I am also well-versed in cleaning up after any mishaps from being left alone or too excited.
“Nancy stayed at our house for two nights and was great with our two cats! One needs liquid medicine administered twice a day and she handled it with no problem. Nancy was very communicative, and sent pics & videos for us to see how well our kitties were doing while we were away. We will feel perfectly comfortable using Nancy again!”
“Kendra was amazing!! She came over to our home prior to house/dog sitting to meet our babies. She kept us updated while we were away with how the dogs were doing. She also sent pictures. I would highly recommend her to watch your fur babies!”
“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.”
“Kennedy took great care of our dogs and our home while we were away for the weekend. We felt comfortable knowing our dogs were in good hands and would definitely book with her again in the future!”
“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.”
“Kendra was very flexible and so sweet to my baby 🥰 she updated me throughout and communicated very well regarding any needs/concerns. Will definitely be utilizing her in the future!”
“Adrianne took wonderful care of Oliver. She kept us updated and sent pictures throughout the weekend. Oliver has a happy pup when we returned, we will definitely be booking her again!”
“Jessie was so patient with our high energy puppy. We booked her last minute after a rescheduled appointment. She has a super impressive resume, and was very polite and responsible. Kept me updated the entire trip.”
About: Hi, welcome! My name is Grace and I would be honored to care for your beloved pet while you are away! I’ve had plenty of experience with dogs, cats, and bunnies. Most notably, I’ve been a consistent caretaker for two energetic black labs for the past 8 years. I’ve also cared for fish, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. If you think I’d be a good fit for your furry (or scaly!) family please reach out! Since I have a full time job, I’m able to provide care anytime in the evenings and on weekends, and if your pet is able to do longer stretches alone in the home I would be a great fit for you! I work 7:30-4 Monday-Friday in Urbandale (if you’re close to that area I am more than willing to spend my lunch breaks with your pet). Once I’m back from work for the day I am ready to play! Coming home to an animal friend is one of the best feelings, and I want to give your pet all the love possible! I feel very comfortable being away from home. I love getting to help families keep their animal loved ones in a place they are familiar with. Whether you have a fenced in yard or no yard at all, I always get play time in every day. I love watching pets’ personalities blossom in their own space.
“Stephanie was phenomenal! She provided lots of love for our pups (and our home) for a long weekend. She checked in often, gave the pups lots of walks, and provided enrichment activities.”
“Jodie came and stayed for 5 with my 3 pets and did a great job. She sent me daily photos and updates which really made me feel better and not worry about them. It was my first experience using Rover and it was a really good experience.”
“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.”
“Jennifer was great with our pups! She came over ahead of time to meet the dogs and learn about what they needed. Our house was kept clean and we were updated throughout the entire stay. Our pups were in good hands!!”
The median cost per night for house sitting in Ankeny is $45
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Ankeny
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.
Allison was absolutely amazing for my dogs, Willie and Clementine! She sent pictures, texts, and let me know how they were doing every day. I had a lot of anxiety leaving them with a sitter, but she went above and beyond for them! I am excited for her to come back and watch them again soon!
We were so happy we could get Tia again on short notice. My dogs love Tia. She left my house very clean, as usual. She gives a good amount of updates & pictures, too. I have no stress when I am away because I know the pets & house will be taken care of excellently.
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?
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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.
Meet local sitters who will treat your pets like family
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
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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 on Rover is $50 per night as of September 2026. Most bookings cost between $30 and $88 per night. 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 September 2026, there are 622 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.
<b>Tip:</b> 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 Rover Guarantee , 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 Rover's Trust & Safety page .
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 Meet & Greet .
sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy , 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
- 100% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 91% 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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