Hi Lori! In my personal experience, I raised my rates twice after starting on Rover. I made my profile in November and started with a rate that was $2-3 lower than those in my service area (in order to get some clients, get my business started and get my name out there). After gaining about 5-10 clients, I raised my rates to equal other sitters in my area. I left it that way for about 5 or 6 months, but quickly realized I wasn't making as much as I wanted and I felt that my services were worth more than what I was charging. I raised my rates a second time and I have left them that way ever since. My rates overall are about $5 more per service/per pet than those around me, but I am comfortable with it.

Basically my answer is that you should change them as you see fit. There really is no standard answer on when to raise or lower them. Put your prices where you think they are fair but don't under value yourself. I personally felt that after Rover's fees and my gas, time and effort, that $12-15 per walk was just too little (not to mention taking out money for taxes), so I raised it to $20 per walk. I still get plenty of requests and I don't struggle for clients even though my rates are a bit higher.

It also helps if you have plenty of reviews and repeat clients (which I see that you do - awesome!!). For me, this really brings in the business because it keeps me at the top of the search results and it makes my page stand out compared to other sitters in the area who only have 5-15 reviews and even less repeat clients. Also, do the absolute best you can do when caring for pets. Something special I do when I leave each and every single one of my dog walks, drop in's or overnights is that I leave a gift bag (filled with treats, a toy or a gift, a business card and directions on how to review my page). Most people LOVE this extra special touch and it only costs me about $2 per bag (I get all my items from the dollar store). This shows people that I care and it makes a great impression, so I get much more repeated business because I go the extra mile.

Again, in short, base your rates on how well you think you perform your job and as long as you're comfortable with it, business will come.

As far as letting your clients know about the change - I never notified anyone. It's my business to run and I didn't feel like I needed to personally notify everyone that my rates went up. If you have repeat customers and they take notice that the rate changed, they might ask, but in my experience it didn't ... (more)

I have quite a few documents. I got most of my ideas from this rover sitter-to-sitter question forum and also googling documents. I have a vet treatment document as well as a 25 question document for people to tell me everything about their dog from food to health. I also have other forms for other types of animals such as cats and rodents and reptiles. I will go ahead and copy/past my questions I give owners and hopefully it will come to help future sitters. Feel free to give me tips on this to improve it. (Keep in mind I only watch animals at owners houses, not my own). This document below is for a dog, but for other animals you can just adjust the questions.

Overnight Stay Questionnaire! Please fill this out to the best of your ability If you need additional space, feel free to write on the back

General Questions: 1. Your First and Last Name(s): 2. Your Dog's Name: Age?: 3. Breed: 4. Male or Female?:
5. Date(s) of Pet Service: 5A. Start and finish times for overnight(s): 6. What does your dog eat?: 6A. How much food is given? (Ex: 1 metric cup): 6B. Is the food left down all day or do you feed at certain times of the day? Times (if not left down all day): 6C. Is the water left down all day or do you give water at certain times of the day? Times (if not left down all day): 7. Is your dog housebroken? Yes No 7A. How often does your dog need a bathroom break? 7B. What times does your dog need a bathroom break? 7C. Does your dog need to be exercised in addition to normal bathroom breaks? Yes No Times of day/How many times per day (if yes): 7D. How long does your dog usually go overnight without a bathroom break? 7E. Does your dog go outside: In a fenced yard or On a leash 8. Does your dog require any medication? Yes No 8A. Name of Medication(s): 8B. Circle all that apply: Oral / Injected / Other 8C. Schedule (Ex. Every other day/Twice a day): 8D. Dosage: 8E. Other details: 9. Does your dog have any allergies? 10. Can I give your dog treats? Yes No 10A. Is there any types that your dog cannot have? 11. What commands does your dog know? 12. Is your dog allowed on the furniture? Couch Only Bed Only Any Furniture No Other: 13. Does your dog get along well w/ people? (If I encounter any on a walk) 14. Does your dog get along well w/ other dogs? (If I encounter any on a walk) 15. Does your dog tend to chase after/bark at other animals on walks? 16. Does your dog ever try and escape the house, yard or leash? 17. Any additional quirks about your dog? (anything that might make me worry) 18. Does your dog use the crate? Yes... (more)