How To Create an Emergency Plan for Your Rover Pets

Whether it’s your own incident or a pet’s, emergencies can be scary to think about—but if you’re a pet sitter, an emergency plan is important to have in place. To prospective and existing clients, it’s also a sign of being prepared. An emergency plan outlines the steps you’ll take to keep your clients’ pets safe—so if something comes up, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Safety plans are never one-size-fits-all. But preparing for those just-in-case situations can help you provide better care, earn loyal clients, and handle sticky situations like a rockstar. To help you organize your own plan, we’ve covered common emergency scenarios, including:

• How to handle a sick or injured pet
• What to do if you’re unable to complete a booking due to illness or a family emergency
• How to plan for an evacuation
• Tips for recovering a lost pet

Sick or Injured Pet

Not all pets act in obvious ways when they’re feeling sick; it’s up to you to watch for signs of illness and know when to take action. To ensure the best outcome during a medical emergency, here’s what you should have before the booking starts.

1. Key contact information

Keep this information written down just in case of electronic outages:

• Your Rover pet’s medical information (vaccination records, medication instructions, any known allergies, and emergency contacts)
• The phone number and address of your client’s veterinarian
• Details for the nearest emergency hospital in case the pet’s regular clinic is closed or unavailable
• The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number: 888-426-4435
• Rover Support number: 888-727-1140

For long-term clients, save these numbers in your phone so you have them handy when you need them.

2. Understanding the signs of a medical emergency

Every pet is a little different, but there are some general symptoms that indicate they should see a vet.

Read up on common signs of illness in dogs and cats, including excessive vomiting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, or refusal to eat.

Cats in particular can have subtle warning signs, like hiding or changes in litter box use.

Not sure what’s normal for a specific pet? When in doubt, reach out to the owner—but if things aren’t turning around for the better, don’t wait for an answer before you go to the vet.

3. Basics of pet first aid

Knowing how to respond to an injury or sudden illness is an invaluable skill for pet sitters.

Set up a good pet first aid kit, then run through the items and make sure you know how to use them.

You can even get certified in pet first aid through the Red Cross, which teaches participants how to check a pet’s vital signs and how to handle cardiac or breathing emergencies, wounds, seizures, and more.

4. Plans for transportation

How will you bring a sick or injured pet to the vet? Make sure you’ll always have transport handy, and find out where the owner keeps any carriers, crates, or car harnesses needed for their pet’s transport.

5. Medical payment arrangements

Emergency vet visits can be expensive, and the last thing you want to worry about is who’s going to foot the bill. Consider discussing how you’ll cover unexpected vet visits with your client ahead of time. Options might include keeping a credit card on file at the vet or using CareCredit. Remember too the Rover Guarantee.

Family or Life Emergency

Sometimes, an emergency will fall on your end. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re unable to care for your clients’ pets, you’ll need a backup plan. Here are some ways to ensure your Rover pets aren’t left hanging.

1. Identify a backup caretaker

Ask the owner to designate a trusted friend, family member, or colleague who can step in to care for the pets during your absence. These contacts must be available for the duration of the booking.

It’s also crucial that they know who you are, have your number, and will pick up if you call—especially if the client is unreachable.

2. Create an “in case of emergency” card

Keep a card in your wallet or bag indicating that you have pets in your care, along with their names, your contact information, and the backup caretaker’s contact details.

3. Share the Rover Support number with a trusted caregiver

Consider sharing the number for Rover Support (888-727-1140) with a trusted friend or family member. This way, they can contact Rover if you’re unable to do so yourself—and Rover can get in touch with your clients to help arrange care in an emergency.

Emergency Evacuation

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Keep your pets safe with a well-thought-out disaster plan.

1. Identify local disaster risks

You can use FEMA’s Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT) to identify potential hazards and the infrastructure in place to mitigate them (e.g., hospitals, law enforcement, fire stations).

2. Create a safe transportation plan

Make a plan for transporting pets if an evacuation becomes necessary. Ask your clients where they keep carriers, crates, or car harnesses if you need to get out in a hurry. Make sure all pets are wearing up-to-date ID tags.

3. Have a go bag

It’s a good idea to collect essentials in one easily accessible tote or bag. Your kit might include:

• Food and water for five days
• Medications and a pet first aid kit
• Extra leashes and collars
• Carriers
• Poop bags
• Disposable litter boxes and litter
• A few familiar toys and blankets
• Photos and a written description of the pet—if you get separated, this will help you claim pets at a shelter

4. Know where you’ll go

Not all hotels and shelters take in pets, so it’s important to scout out options ahead of time. Keep a list of pet-friendly hotels and shelters along your evacuation route with your emergency supplies. Boarding facilities and veterinary clinics may also house pets during an emergency.

5. Get certified

Consider taking your pet-sitter skills to the next level by taking courses in disaster planning. Pet Sitters International offers an online program called Disaster Preparedness for Pet-Care Professionals.

Lost or Escaped Pet

First, it’s important to do everything in your power to prevent escapes from happening in the first place. Get in the habit of leashing up pets every time you open the door. Stay alert—many cats and dogs will try to slip past your legs and make a break for it. Always supervise pets outdoors, and never leave them outside alone.

If a pet goes missing under your watch, stay calm and act quickly. Here are the steps you can take to bring the pet home.

1. Secure the area

First, make sure that no other pets in your care can escape. Close all doors and outdoor gates, and double-check that windows are secure. If possible, confine the remaining pets to a safe area indoors.

2. If you can still see the pet, approach slowly

Your first instinct might be to chase an escaped pet, but this can backfire and make them keep running. Instead, approach slowly with treats in hand. Try tossing the treats, and call them to you in a calm or upbeat voice—never yell, or you might scare them off.

For dogs in particular, try jogging backward playfully, which may encourage them to chase after you.

3. Check typical hiding spots

Before the booking, ask the owner if their pet has any favorite hiding spots, and check there first. Runaway pets are often found under the porch, in the bushes, or in the garage.

4. Notify the owner & Rover Support

We know it’s stressful, but don’t stall on this step. Inform the pet owner about the situation as soon as possible—you don’t want it to look like you tried to conceal the situation. Plus, the owner may have suggestions on how to coax their pet back home or know where they might be hiding.

Rover Support is also ready to help, available 24/7 at 888-727-1140.

5. Search the neighborhood

Most lost pets are found within one mile of where they disappeared. Start a systematic neighborhood search close to home and then move outward. Look under cars and in gardens.

Go door to door and ask if neighbors have seen the pet. Someone may have spotted a roaming cat or dog while gardening, and they can keep an eye out while you continue searching.

6. Use social media & put up flyers

Next, you can head to social media. Create a “lost pet” post on local social media groups like neighborhood Facebook pages or Nextdoor. Include a clear description of the pet, any identifying features, and a photo if available. You can also search online platforms like 24Petconnect or LostMyDoggie to see if someone else posted a found dog.

Print flyers to hand out and post around the neighborhood. Include a clear photo, the pet’s name, any identifying details that might stand out, and your contact information.

7. Contact local animal shelters and vets

Reach out to nearby animal shelters, veterinarians, and local rescue groups to see if the pet has been brought in.

8. Leave out a familiar item or food

Frightened animals often return to a familiar location at night. Leave out food and familiar items with the owner’s scent, and check on the spot regularly.

Additional Support

Don’t forget—you’re never alone. Rover Support is here 24/7 and always ready to jump into action. If you experience a health or safety issue, don’t hesitate to call 888-727-1140, and we’ll help you through it.