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What should I do about a cancellation for a drop-in visit due to not responding in a 'timely' manner to an owner's inquiry on Christmas Eve?

I had a drop-in visit booked for Christmas Eve. I met with the owner the day before, met the dog, and went over what they wanted me to do during the drop-in and where everything would be. The owner asked me to drop-in between 4pm and 7pm on Christmas Eve to take their dog out to relieve himself, feed him, and refill water if necessary. On Christmas Eve, I went over at 5pm, took the dog on a short walk where he went both, and then fed him (his water was still filled to just under the top of the dish). About 5:30pm, I left and went back home to where I was going to have a Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends starting at 6:30pm. During the evening, I did not keep my phone on me and didn't check it until our guests had left around 11:30pm. Upon checking my phone I first found a text from the owner at 6:43pm inquiring if I had been over to walk the dog yet. Then I found a voice message from the owner at 6:59pm with the same inquiry. Then a call from Rover staff at 7:26pm asking about my non-response. Finally, a notification that the booking was cancelled and the owner was fully refunded. Upon seeing these messages, I immediately responded to the owner telling them the time I went over, what I did, and a picture of their dog. I have not heard anything in response from the owner. Christmas morning I was sent an e-mail from the Rover staff stating the cancellation was due to a lack of responsiveness/care and that while they rover team looks into it my account is paused. I responded to the questions asked of me in this e-mail and have heard nothing yet in response. So now I will not be payed for a service I did provide and will be unable to book anything new for an undetermined amount of time. Is this really an offense that warrants cancellation, a full refund, and a review from Rover staff?

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Looks like the questioner's profile has been suspended.

3 Answers

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4

You are not going to like my response because I am not agreeing with you. Look at it from the standpoint of the owner. They don't know you. You may be the most conscientious person on Earth but this is their first experience with you and you did not communicate with them, i.e., give them status after the drop-in. As Mary pointed out, this is exactly why the Rover Card was developed, so that owners know the service they've paid for has been performed.

Also, 5-6 hours is a long time to not check your phone when you are "working." Even if you do not use the Rover Card, you should have messaged the owner right after the drop-in and told them/documented that all was well with Fluffy.

I can't tell what kind of record you have here on Rover because of the account suspension. However, the only thing you can do is talk to Rover explain how this is the first time a client has had a problem, acknowledge that you have learned from your mistake and promise to be more professional in the future, ensuring that clients come first and get the service they expect.

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Double YUP, YUP, YUP

I don't believe all sitters should be required to do the "report card" when someone slips up. We are all human but rover should address the issue with the individual sitter just like they did in this situation.

Report cards are a great tool, some like it, some don't. The issue with this sitter is they didn't respond to texts or phone calls from the owner for 5+ hours. I am very surprised that Rover reinstated the sitter. And she hasn't had a verified stay or review since 2015

I do "stay" in my home. I don't have a cell with internet connection. However, I do send daily updates and pictures. I did that with my doggy daycare but rover wants the report card with doggy daycare. I don't understand their reason for that.

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So I'm assuming you don't use the Rover app, therefore using the Rover Card for drop in visits? I'm all for having a choice in using the Rover app/Rover card, but if you aren't using them, you should at least leave a note at the client's home stating when you were there and what happened during your visit. You should have then gone home and immediately messaged the client with a pic. I don't know what else to say about this, except that I hope it works out for the best for you.

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YUP, YUP, YUP

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1

One of the first things Rover recommends doing is sending client picture of dog. That would hold true whether they are staying at your house, their own house, drop in visit or walk. It keeps the lines of communication open by letting the owner know that their dog is comfortable and happy.

I don't think they should have canceled it, however since there was a voicemail left on your phone and multiple times people tried to contact you.... I can also understand why they did. From personal experience I know that when I left my dog at someone's house and then they sent me a picture within 30 minutes of me leaving I felt relieved and reassured. Some owners don't need as many checkins, but everyone deserves at least one. Especially if its during the specific time you said you'd be available. It is important to put yourself in their place. If you left your children at someone's house and you tried to contact them for 5 hours and there was no response would you be worried or would you feel like everything is fine?

Also whenever a stay in progress is cancelled, whether it's for legitimate reason for not, Rover suspends your account. The dog could have attacked you and put you in the hospital, they will still suspend your account to find out the story.