15% does sound like a lot, at first I was frustrated when I learned of the fee, but once you have some good testimonials and/or reviews under your belt, you can up your rate to makeup for the 15% fee. Sure, it's still coming out, but if you charge 15% more, it's not so bad. I upped my rate $5 after being on Rover for a month, and it's worked out great. Check what other sitters in your area are charging for comparison.

Without Rover, you wouldn't have access to so many people looking specifically for a pet sitter, from a well-known site that is trustworthy, if you just listed an ad in the newspaper, how many people are going to call you, a stranger, to watch their pets? I realized recently Rover is showing commercials on tv (plus you see Rover ads pop up all over the internet), so that's free advertising for you! You can also get a good deal on business cards through the Rover site to help with advertising. And if you give people your discount code, it will encourage new Rover users and get them $20 off their first stay. I think it's a win-win. Plus you can use the dashboard to easily post your profile on craiglist to get yourself out there more. Fees suck, but without them this site wouldn't be as great.

I own 2 cats and a dog, so I have investigated listing my cats under my profile. When adding a dog, there's actually a breed, 'cat', that someone must have added at some point, hehe. I did actually have both my cats under my profile at first, but then I realized this might get confusing and I might be charged for three dogs. But, because she only has one cat, I think she would have to use that, and then just have a clear cat photo, and when booking you or anyone else be sure to let them no that there are no dogs, just the cat, and then once she sends a request you can adjust the rate to cat care rate.

I am a Rover sitter and a Rover user for my own dog and 2 cats. The sitter I usually use for my own pets raised her rates recently, but added a note in the first sentence of her profile that she had raised her rate, but would charge her old rate for prior clients. I think this is a nice way to do it. I would not mind her upping my rate, she is worth it, as long as I know ahead of time what I'm paying.

I myself have only been a Rover sitter since July, and I started with a lower suggested rate ($35). After my first two clients, I upped my rate $5, because the reality is it wasn't worth it for me to continue at the lower rate. I've had no problem getting new clients since then, as I'm still in the competitive range for my area. I've also rebooked with the first person, and she said nothing about the increase in prices, was happy to pay. If I upped more now, after having booked with 7 different clients, I would probably add a note to my profile. I think it's nice to offer a discount to repeat clients, but make sure you're making enough (minus Rover fees) for you!