I am a first time user of Rover…trying to find someone for over the Christmas holidays.. automated response states not in zip code..not true?

Without providing the zip code in question others can't also check. Have you tried a street and city search?
if your issues continue I would call Customer Support [Edit: Rover’s contact options have changed. Visit the Rover Help Center at https://support.rover.com/ to find the phone number, help articles, or chat with the team]