Do municipality regulations affect you?

The more I think about this I'm actually not surprised that there are Codes against this kind of home-based business.

I agree with that. There's always a few people who ruin it for everyone else.

Where I live we have a leash law. I've been amazed that 1/3 of the dogs I've booked are brought (and taken away) without a leash. I've even had two people remove the leash (as they pickup their dog), dismissively saying "we don't need that."

I can think of a dozen neighbors who will (a matter of when, not if) encounter a strange dog off leash and place a call to the city to "find out what can be done about this guy operating a kennel out of his home."

It is remarkable to me that I'm actually going to have to say (upon initial contact with potential clients) that I require the use of a leash. To me, that's so fundamental, I feel like I would offend people by saying it.

But, to your point, that's how these laws came about. Where I live, I can keep 4 dogs without being a "kennel" (as defined by law). Legislators didn't come up with that definition to amuse themselves. Some guy was keeping 10 dogs and not picking up poo, neighbors complained. So, legislators chose a number (affecting the poor guy who could keep 5 dogs without any problem).

Likewise, leashes are required because someone thought "we don't need that" -- and it turned out badly.

The way it's going, it's just a matter of time until city officials hear a complaint related to activity at my address. After 5-6 of those happening around the city, maybe a couple actual bites... suddenly it's in the news how "Rover is circumventing kennel laws. We have to do something about this."

I wish Rover would be a little more proactive. Like, maybe more required questions to dog owners when creating their profile? Maybe an assessment (survey questionnaire) to categorize a dog's owner's traits.

We (sitters) are encouraged to take Rover 101 in order to demonstrate at least an understanding of how to be be a responsible sitter (and use Rover effectively). I think owners should have a similar badge. (Because, I really shouldn't have to tell people, "you need to use a leash. You're going to wreck it for everyone else.").

Maybe I'm making too much of this. But, its this kind of stuff that becomes a problem for these disruptive "2.0" trends. (Uber, Airbnb, et al.). I'm sure Rover wants to maximize bookings instead of making it difficult. But, I can see it already. It's just a matter of time.