The best option would be to start contacting local sitters near where your hotel will be. I am sure there are sitters who would be happy to help you out! I would if I could myself, but I'm in south Florida. I would definitely take care of setting this up as early as possible as well, less stress at travel time. When searching be aware of rates, reviews, and how far they are willing to travel compared to your hotel location. I am positive you will have no problem finding a wonderful sitter through Rover.com. Best of Luck!

I usually mention the page when I meet new pet parents, They are made aware that I also list some of the best on my artist website. So for me, I always let them know 1. I will take many many pictures, 2. The pictures will be widely seen. That being said, only the dogs first name is ever mentioned.

I actually use a Facebook page to link them to rover, but in a silly way. It's Rockosbuddies page. My boy Rocko makes posts and invites friends over so he isn't bored. Or gets excited when a friend is coming soon, stuff like that. And lots of pictures. For me moving to FL. From Michigan seemed like people were gonna miss him more than my husband and I, so I just played off that. Have some fun is my opinion

Welcome to Rover! I myself am still working on getting things going. My best advice though would be advertise, advertise, advertise!! Social media-Facebook, Twitter, Google+- all free! Craigslist is VERY important as well to reach people outside your circles- also FREE! Then you can go to the Rover store and order business cards, postcards, etc. for when you meet people while you are out and about. Pet stores and veterinary offices are a great place to ask if you can leave your information with them. I am now looking to go full time here so That is my game plan!

Good Luck and Happy Tails for you! Jenn M

P.S. yes Rover will take out 15% to help cover all their overhead, but they also run specials, contests, and giveaways for us sitter's!

Hi Laura, I realize that calling would be fine. I just don't want to upset her if I get teared up on the phone with her. I am quite emotional about things like this. I know how much he meant to her, and I just really fell for him myself. He was that old man that tries acts grumpy but is so sweet.

A previous customer recently called, unfortunately I missed the call. She was letting me know that her sweet old boy had passed recently, He was 16 1/2 years old,the sweetest "grumpy old man" ever, and I adored him very much. I am very saddened by this news and wanted to do something nice for her. I am also a digital artist so I took a pictures from our last visit and created a "memorial" image. Will she still receive it if I send this through Rover mail? How long will a conversation stream stay active after a visit? She Is an older lady and does not text or have a "smartphone" so I can't send it directly and would like to do it without calling and making a big fuss of it(don't want to upset her if I get emotional). Also, they are no longer in Florida, they only stay here for the winter so I can't just meet up with her either. Any advice on the best way to go about this?

Actually, It may just always give both options so you may just need to not "offer" any services. Pet sitters sometimes need someone to care for their pets as well during vacations or emergencies and therefore would need both options available on their profiles. A pet parent may decide later that they want to be a sitter as well. You are not forced to provide services, you're being given the option if you so choose to. Also, a sitter you request usually wants to know a little about you and your pets before accepting a stay and a profile is a good way to start.

Your rate is already on the lower side for sitters so you did the right thing by not lowering it further. I can understand a pet parent asking- IF you had high rates and didn't offer a discount for additional dogs. But you do! Most parents understand that cheap does not guarantee quality care.

I don't have cards yet myself, personally though I would simply stop in to pet stores, grooming salons, and local veterinarian offices. You can ask if you may leave some cards for them incase their customers inquire about our type of services. They could refer people, or they may possibly have a "community board" for this type of service referrals and advertising. Also, grocery stores will sometimes have a place for local services ads/flyers near the front door.

Some sitters will lower their rate for additional dogs, otherwise yes. If there is no rate for an "additional " dog then that sitter charges the full amount. You can also contact the sitter to ask if they are willing to negotiate, although that may be considered an inappropriate request by some. Still, can't hurt too much to ask. In general rates are set for that sitters' own reasoning.

If a sitter is not comfortable then it won't be on their profile as an option. Under special needs it specifically asks seperately about oral medication and injections. So be sure to look for injections not just medication

I don't believe there is any way to "block" a customer. If there is an issue I would suggest sending them a message to let them know you won't be able to accept future stays. You are never forced to accept a booking though and so you can respond right away to any request they send in that you are not available for them. Maybe suggest another sitter if you know one?

That makes perfect sense, because a new client to Rover must initiate a payment option to be used before booking is possible.

Both my recent stays ended up adding a day, and it's simple but the payments are split as though it were 2 different visits. In the "upcoming" or "current" stay inboxes it has a button to extend this stay. Either of you can make the request and I personally have had no issues.

I believe you have to wait 48 hours after the stay to ask for a release of payment anyway... BUT I believe they have to respond to an email or message after picking up the "kids". That is when Rover automatically requests feedback from them about their stay.

You can go live still, I believe. I have only been signed up for a few months. I did have a couple testimonials added within a few days but personally did not get bookings right away anyway. I am relatively new to my area though as well, my friends that I dog sat for are now 1500 miles away.

I agree with letting a client know if you are going to accept another dog during their stay. I would also like to state that you need to consider each dog before accepting a second, you are the one who will be there with them dealing with any possible issues. I state in my profile that a meet n great between ALL dogs and their parents is required before confirming a booking. I unfortunately turned a client away just this week because there was not time before the request to do that, it was last minute for the additional dog.

I would assume once the mistake is corrected they will send the right cards quickly. The same amount of time to ship as the first batch.

Completely agree with this. I think It would be good to also have the ability to show 2 different rate options. first for "close to home" and another price for further traveling(maybe 15 to 25 miles?). second price option for how many visits requested per day.

Thank you! I did not realize you could do that. What should I do when I want to offer both options, but prefer daily visit to overnights?

The answer above and the article below I don't feel were exactly "clear answers" for this question.
But If I understand correctly though... Yes your rating would still improve as long as response time was quick for this request and booked stay and that you also kept the client updated with pictures and such through the site during their stay. I do agree that sending a quick message after a few days is a great idea for any client that "forgot" to leave feedback and rate you

I also lower my rate $5 a night for booking 7 or more nights. A 6 week stay would probably be even less per night. With a longer they stay everyone is more comfortable and relaxed in my home. That may open me up to offering an opening for additional clients when fur friends feel "at home" here.

Getting to know other nearby Rover sitters is something I would like to do in addition to booking in advance. Similar price range and area back up is good to have for when you just can't accomodate all requests. I'm sure clients, and sitters, would appreciate the help!

I think 3 months out would be a MAX limit for me, and possibly only 2 months for new clients. That way your "regulars" would still get first chance to book and stay with their favorite sitter.