It would be great if sitters just applied holiday rates themselves on non-holiday days versus that high rate being applied automatically by http://Rover.com. It becomes prohibitively expensive.
The holiday rate refers to a time period (as in 'the holiday season') rather than to a particular holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year). These rates are determined by the sitter in their fee schedule, but are automatically applied to stays inclusive of holiday season days by Rover when you generate an inquiry. As Karen mentioned, these times are particularly busy for sitters, and we tend to get overwhelmed with requests. Considering our profession is notoriously seasonal and we are choosing to spend much of our time during holidays caring for the family members of others, a little extra compensation seems pretty reasonable. Don't get me wrong, I love this job and I love spending my free time with dogs, but in order for me to make money and spend time with my own family, I have to do a lot of juggling. I have family members from across the country in the state over Christmas, and I may not be able to see them because I have dogs boarding with me as well as drop in visits scheduled. It's not that I'm trying to get more money from my clients; it's that I am having to decide what I'm willing to give up for my income.
Beyond that, though Rover defaults to the holiday rate for all sitters who have set a holiday rate, sitters always have the option to override those rates as they deem appropriate. It's always worth asking how a sitter determines what they charge over the holidays and seeing what they say. Pet care can definitely be a significant cost of travel, but remember that most sitters charge less than a cheap hotel, but provide far more care and comfort for your pets. You don't blink an eye when a hotel charges you upwards of $100 per night for little more than an uncomfortable bed to sleep in. When was the last time Holiday Inn took you for walks, arranged your play time, supervised all your activities to ensure your safety, or reassured you when you were nervous? SItters open their home and heart to your pets when you're away. They give up their own time so that you can travel worry-free.
I have no problem with Rover's system which sets a holiday rate. Holidays are peak season and higher rates apply in many areas from airline travel to hotels, etc. Petsitting is an adjunct to those activities, so it makes perfect sense to have a built-in mechanism for charging a holiday rate during the holiday season.
Since you are not a sitter here on Rover, you do have alternatives. But unless they are friends or relatives, all boarding facilities raise their rates for the holidays as well. If you are in the habit of leaving your pet for the holidays, then the expense is something you have to bear.
I find that sitters already raise their rates based on increased demand, holiday or not. I have found more reasonable alternatives to Rover.com.
I am glad that you have found a place for your dog. Raising rates is a basic market-based response to high demand (Economics 101). I wouldn't know if a sitter manually raised his/her rates for specific calendar dates. It is rather difficult to control and maintain since people may book way in advance of a holiday period, which is why Rover's system works best. Without that, customers would be paying at whatever rate was in effect when the booking is made, regardless of the fact that it includes a holiday. New sitters start out low, build a clientele, and then might gradually phase in a rate increase.
Also, sitters may choose to go with their non-holiday rate for regular customers. A holiday rate seems appropriate for someone who only books once a year during peak seasons.
You can always ask for a quote. I've noticed that Rover will charge holiday rates for all days that run through a holiday - whether it's a weekend or three weeks. In my opinion, charging holiday rates for three weeks is a bit much. Don't always go with what you see at first if it doesn't make sense, and ask for a quote and explain why you are asking.
I just found that out this holiday season when that exact thing happened to a client...and found out a three week stay had my holiday rate applied for all three weeks. I just adjusted it.