Occasionally I receive very last minute requests. For example, I received a request at 9:30pm for a 4-day stay, starting that night! I typically turn down last minutes requests, but want to get thoughts from this community:
I only take last minute request if they are dogs I already know. For new customers I do not. I have to do a meet and greet. I do not feel comfortable taking in a dog who has not interacted with my own dogs and with me to see how we all get along. I have received last minute requests similar to yours and told them, sorry but I cannot take in a dog that I have not met and a meet and greet is required. Plus, I require proof of vaccination for the safety of all dogs and that usually takes a bit of time to request it from their vet. I've even offered to do a meet and greet for a future stay so they are not looking for someone at the last minute. Hope this helps.
My answer may be a bit different than others, for better or worse. I definitely agree with the sentiment of "go with your gut, stay safe, and don't feel bad saying no."
I often accept last minute stay requests or accept dogs without a meet and greet. I've even accepted dogs after some pretty intense meet and greets. For me, frankly, it depends on my mood when I get the request, what I have going on during the stay timeframe, and how much time I have the day of the dropoff to dedicate to good introductions. If I'm in a spontaneous mood, don't have a lot of stressful meetings/obligations/work going on, and am available for a good chunk of time when they want to drop off the dog, then for me it's a go.
I wouldn't recommend this approach for everybody, maybe not even most sitters. I am quite confident in my abilities to manage difficult dogs, read body language, manage difficult behaviors that arise (barking, etc), facilitate good doggie meetings, and overall have a good stay. I've had dogs that did not get along in meet and greets that ended up playing with my dogs throughout the stay (after doing walks together and setting clear boundaries with intensely close supervision for safety reasons). This may be more work than you're willing to put in, and risk, which is completely fine.
Also as a side note, last-minute stays do not automatically mean the dog is a problem, although there is definitely that risk. (Although to be fair, I've had some great meet and greets that turned into very stressful stays.) In my experience, these owners had other plans for dog care that fell through or had an emergency come up and needed care for their dog. However, it is definitely worth asking about in a phone call or message prior to the stay about what led to the last-minute search. I would be more concerned about an owner that didn't give a reason for the last-minute search for care.
That's my two cents. Hope it helps! Good luck!
Also just remember, you should never feel bad for turning down a stay that in your gut doesn't feel like a good idea. It took me a while to get to that place, but once you start to know what you're comfortable with...stick with it! The owner most likely reached out to several sitters (depending on your area) but ultimately, it's their task to find a sitter for their dog, you are not required or obligated to accept the stay.
I have had a few, and they have been stressful sits. There is a reason people are having a hard time finding a sitter. With that being said.... I am sure it is a case by case and I would ask lots of questions as to why??? the last minute request and are you ready to deal with a dog that you haven't screened. In my option I feel like some people take advantage of us kind Rover sitters because they have been turned down by professional boarding/kennel facilities and are desperate to find care for their pup. BUT THIS IS JUST WHAT I THINK... I would be careful Hope that helps, Amber
Most of my last minute requests were because the owners were trying to make last minute plans or because a sitter fell through (Rover or otherwise). None of mine have been due to issues with the dogs themselves. I'd definitely be wary if the owners had been looking for a while and hadn't found anyone willing to take on their dog, but luckily that hasn't been my experience.
It depends on how last-minute the request is. If it's a returning client, I don't have a problem at all. If it's a new client, the dropoff must be at least 48 hours after the request to allow for a meet and greet. A last minute request indicates to me either 1) their original sitter arrangement fell through, 2) they waited till the last minute to make arrangements, or 3) they had trouble finding a sitter. In situation 1 I can understand and will work with them. 2 and 3 are red flags to me and show that they don't respect my time.
I don't generally have a problem with last minute bookings. I've had a few and I've never regretted taking them on. If it's for an overnight stay, I'll make every attempt to have a meet and greet, even if it's just having the owners come 15-30 minutes before their drop off time to take the dogs on a walk together. That said, I'm not worried about declining last minute stays if it doesn't sound like a good fit or if it just doesn't feel right.
I'd say the oddest request I've gotten was a late-night request for day care the next morning. I was at work until 4:30 am, and they were leaving around 8 am to go snowboarding, so there was no chance to meet the owners or dogs ahead of time. We arranged for them to leave a key for me to pick up the two dogs later that morning from their house. I was prepared for a situation where the dogs were (understandably) unhappy with a stranger coming into their home, but lucky for me the dogs were not at all perturbed, and both were thrilled to have me leash them up and take them away.
I have had a few requests, and I typically require a Meet and Greet if they are a new client, repeats are not an issue. There are of course exceptions... it is understandable if their previous sitter canceled on them, creating a last minute situation. I tend to ask a lot of questions and judge their responses critically, if there is any uncertainty then I just decline. With each decline I offer an opportunity for a future meet and greet to get acquainted so that the last minute booking request isnt an issue in the future.
My biggest concern is the interaction of their dog with mine... you cannot predict how a dog is going to act, even the best trained dog... and I dont tend to trust an owner when they assure me that there dog is friendly with all dogs, until I see it.
I'm glad this board is here for my reference now. The last minute new client requests have been constant this month and it feels weird turning them down, but I just don't feel right without a meet and greet or at least time for facetime (covid).
It is helpful if the owner requests late and provides an explanation, but some just request so last minute with no explanation attached upfront at all and it feels rude. I'm not a hotel, after all, and I need time to meet you and talk about vaccinations to keep my pets safe too. I always worry they got turned down by a hotel for vaccines last minute and are trying to divert to us.
Hopefully it doesn't hurt business, but I'll always take my returning clients last minute if I'm available.