When will better sitter availability policy be implemented?

I frequently get requests for services on dates when I have marked myself as unavailable, and even for animals that are outside my preferences (e.g. too big). The requests come through with a message from Rover acknowledging that the request does not match my settings.

I have also been in conversation with multiple people for the same dates. I try to do first come, first served- but if another request is more convenient (e.g. previous client, better timing) I will do what is best for me.

As a sitter, I wish it was possible to be more specific about dates and times when I am available through the Rover calendar, but it's limited.

I understand it is time-consuming to message multiple sitters, and frustrating to find out some are not available, despite their apparent openings. I really appreaciate when owners close the loop and tell me they've found someone else and don't require my services any more. That let's me manage myself and not leave anyone else hanging.

One issue that I, as a sitter, have had with the app is that the map does not display when I receive a request. It displays about 1 in 10 times, since the app was updated a few months ago. I've reached out to Rover support about this but nothing has changed.

I have a full calendar, but I focus on daily dog walks. I keep my availability updated, but I have to turn down clients when I already have bookings and their home is on the other side of my service area. I could accept another client, just not one that is 4 miles away from my other walks. The map not displaying just makes it even harder for me to determine whether I am able to accept the booking and leads to me declining right off the bat, especially when the booking is pretty last minute. I might turn down last minute bookings from new clients because my schedule is too full to get to a meet and greet, even though I am available for the dates they need.

I would add that when someone's calendar shows them as available but they receive a request and they don't like something about it (like a type of dog they can't or don't want to accept, or owner's attitude, or a mention of extreme high energy and peeing in the house etc), they will say they are NOT available instead of explaining that they clearly state they don't accept the breed or they just don't think the person/dog is a good fit.

Others just don't even respond when they are not interested in the request.

And when it comes to the app, there are just so many flaws in it, but Rover is not looking to fix it.

You've made some good points. As a sitter, I can tell you that we also experience much frustration with the Rover App. Billing structure, search algorithm insanity, plus many more.

Each Rover sitter is an Independent Contractor. We are not employees of Rover. Every sitter has their own particular way of managing bookings. The Rover app does its best to provide a general functionality to link owner and sitter, and considering it's trying to consolidate a group of business owners (each with their own business plan) in one big search engine, it's not too bad. But yes, there are many things one can get frustrated about.

Not all sitters are alike (I've seen profiles that made me cringe), and not all owners are alike either. I would kindly suggest that instead of going on a crusade to 'fix' Rover, you find peace of mind by finding a sitter you like, sticking with him/her, and be one of those customers we love to have as a regular. You may find more success in choosing a sitter who will only sit one dog at a time. As a single-client boarder, I make sure each and every request receives a prompt answer, that my calendar is always updated, and I am a sitter that you can trust completely from start to finish. Your feelings about will Rover will diminish with time when you find 'your' sitter. :)

May you find success, Cindy

I encountered the same problem not too long ago. I needed to hire a house sitter to look after my dog after I had some foot surgery. It was an unusual request because I would be home but, as a sitter myself, I laid it out and was gave them more than the latitude a regular customer might.

I contacted at least 12 house sitters in my area whose schedules showed availability. Some responded quite quickly that they were not available. One agreed to come over for a M&G and then begged off because a friend decided to celebrate her birthday that weekend. One after another, I got responses that they were unavailable despite what their calendar showed and none seemed at all perturbed about it.

Rover needs to do a great deal to fix its search function. I've been complaining about the true inability to search by zipcode. Having to use the map is clunky. In a large city, getting results that are way far away is ridiculous. Many of my customers don't even have cars. I am going to pick up a dog this afternoon for his holiday stay because the owners do not have a car. When I was asked about pickup and delivery, I asked where they lived because I wouldn't want to fight city traffic even if they only lived a few miles away.

Rewarding those who don't turn down jobs because they're not available is far more meaningful to a customer than the unknown reason some sitter who lives across town always shows up first. Rover knows when you receive requests outside of your preferences and calendar settings and those rejections don't count against a sitter.

Based upon your frustration you sound like a long time Rover user and many of us will agree with your statements about sitters keeping their availability current but alas they don't. Many sitters only provide services occasionally and many sitters do this as a full time business.

There is little Rover HQ can do to resolve your issues with the individual sitters as we are all independent contractors on the Rover platform.

Best of luck in the future

May I suggest that for the items that you think Rover could impact, you reach out to them directly? It could help achieve progress more quickly, especially if it's something remedied by programming or communications. I realize that may not fix all of it, but hopefully will make moves in the right direction.

I'll add that when I wanted to find a nearby sitter or two in case needed for my dog or another similar small dog who I couldn't accommodate during a peak time, I was unpleasantly surprised that the sitters I contacted, whose calendars showed available, were very slow to respond (& the response rate is measured and posted for all to see) then stated they weren't available or even wrote that they didn't want to grow their business (and yet they kept their account settings such that they'd show up in search results to new clients, rather than change it to accept existing clients only). Shocking. The only instances where I find calendar availability doesn't really match is the pet parent doesn't have sufficient time for a meet&greet prior to booking (those requests are immediate declines), or they haven't read my profile and want to book a pet that would be incompatible (could be due to size, breed, energy level, or the pet's preventative health not matching stated requirements), or I have repeat dog parents with pending plans (my dog's circle of friends always come first and I always make sure they get cared for, even if it means introducing them to another sitter).

As Karen said well, that's on top of the search function providing a huge unworkable radius in a highly developed area.