Long term dog boarding

Long Term Dog Boarding FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Rover

How is boarding in a sitter’s home different from a traditional kennel?

When you book dog boarding on Rover, your dog stays overnight in a sitter’s home. A traditional kennel or boarding facility typically cares for dogs in a commercial setting, often with multiple staff members and a set daily schedule.

The environment and care arrangements in a sitter’s home vary by sitter. Some sitters may accept only one client’s pets at a time, while others may care for several dogs. Review each sitter’s profile and arrange a Meet & Greet to ask about resident pets, other dogs, supervision, sleeping arrangements, exercise, medication, and the sitter’s home environment.

Consider your dog’s normal routine, comfort around other animals, supervision needs and preferred environment. Whether you choose home boarding or a kennel, confirm what care is included and how your dog’s needs would be handled before booking.

What type of dog boarding experiences are available?

"You can find personalised dog boarding care on Rover based on your dog’s needs, a sitter’s experience, home environment, and the dogs they might accommodate. When sending a request to a sitter, ask if they offer a specific boarding arrangement. You can ask if sitters offer:

• puppy-only boarding
• solo or single-dog boarding
• senior dog boarding
• anxious or reactive dog boarding
• separation anxiety dog boarding
• boarding for multiple pets from the same household
• activity-focused boarding
• luxury-style boarding

Some sitters may include additional enrichment options or extra comforts. For example, activity-focused boarding sitters may advertise more exercise opportunities, like hikes and runs. Luxury-style boarding may offer more premium care, such as a dedicated room, TV, or more one-on-one attention. Browse profiles and ask sitters about their services to find the right fit.

These are not standardized categories offered by every sitter. Specialized arrangements or additional services may be priced differently from the sitter’s standard boarding rate."

Will someone stay with my dog 24/7?

Some sitters may offer round-the-clock (24/7) dog care. Sometimes called constant care, sitters who offer this service are great options for puppies, older dogs, pets with medical needs, or dogs with separation anxiety. Not all sitters include this in their listed rate, so mention "24/7 care" when you reach out to a sitter about their availability and experience.

Will my sitters send photos and updates while they care for my pet?

If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.

The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.

Are there discounts for longer boarding bookings?

Each sitter sets their own boarding rates. While a discount is not automatically included with every booking, some sitters offer different pricing for longer stays. You can find this information listed under their rates on their profile under “Stays of 1 night or more”.

Before booking, enter the full stay dates to see the estimated price and message the sitter if you have questions about how their rates apply to a longer stay.

What is a Meet & Greet?

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.

What is the Rover Guarantee and what does it cover?

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.

What is Rover's cancellation and refund policy?

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.