House Sitting Des Moines
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 644 pet parents in Des Moines have booked house sitting
Des Moines, Find top rated house sitting
“Jane was great with our two cats, who are not best friends so their cat politics can be a challenge sometimes. They were happy and calm when we got home, and they really enjoyed enrichment and having human and puppy company around. She took great care of our home and made sure to ask for clarification on any household things to check on as well. Thank you, Jane. Being gone is so much easier when you know your fur buddies are well taken care of.”
“We've adopted Allison as ours! We appreciate her greatly and Sadie about pushes her over with 'love leans' when she shows up for a dog/house sitting stint. Allison is a great communicator, reliable, and we trust her to stay in our home and to care for our 100 lb. fur ball. We've already got Allison pre-reserved for our next two needs. We highly recommend Allison if you are looking for someone to care for your 4 legged family member.”
“Christina was extremely communicative and treated the dogs fantastic! She also left the house in great shape and followed my instruction sheet to the letter, which I truly appreciated. Highly recommend!”
“Travis was exceptionally quick to respond and very attentive to my three dogs. Two of my dogs can be hyper and he never once seemed put off by their behaviors. I got photo updates from him without having to ask and he was on time to get to my house before we left out of state. If we needed a sitter again, we’d definitely book with Travis.”
“Our senior dogs tend to get really scared with new people and are high anxiety when we get home. This time was different - they were happy, calm and went right back to their normal routine when we got home. We had daily photo/video updates which was so appreciated. Highly recommend!!”
“Cass is someone who loves your pet like they are her own. She sent so many pictures and was sure to communicate daily. She is trustworthy in your home and with the most important members of your family. Thor and Loki can’t wait to have her back.”
“Aaliyah watched my two cats while we were on vacation. She went above and beyond taking care of them & our home even though my boys put her in some tough & unexpected situations. There were late nights, early mornings, and lots of phone calls & texts messages. I'd definitely book her again if she'd accept me!”
“This was our first experience with Rover. Jenna kept us updated with sending us pictures of Sophie, and was quick to respond to our messages. She also left the house picked up, with the garbage taken out, and the bed sheets in the wash!”
“Stacey did so great with my dogs. One of my dogs is extremely afraid of strangers but instantly approached Stacey during or initial meet and greet. Will definitely be using Stacey again!”
“Katherine did a great job watching all of our animals. She was able to handle multiple days and nights with multiple pets and could handle complex instructions and gave them the best care. Would definately use again”
“I use Molly regularly as I have trips every couple of months out of state. Molly is great at communicating and sending updates. I know my boys are in good hands with her and she makes these stressful trips so much easier knowing this. I recommend her every chance I get!”
About: ***So you want a housesitter?Please read carefully before booking. ***I have an 11lb Havanese in my home who will be w/me for housesitting and boarding assignments*** I live and work downtown (full-time remote). I can host your pet overnight in my home; stay overnight in your home if needed. Pop-in visits to provide breaks, walks, feeding if you live within a reasonable distance. I can also provide day care services. Very flexible and try to respond promptly bc we all have busy lives. I do not have a crate. Bringing your own crate is optional but not required. House broken/trained is preferred. I prefer to host 1 dog at a time. 2 dogs from the same household would be possible but prefer not to mix dogs from multiple households. ***Housesitting notice - I do have an 11lb Havanese puppy that would accompany me for overnight housesitting assignments. He's house-trained, does not shed and very friendly with people and other dogs.*** ***Boarding / House-sitting requests please note that I have a 1yr old 11lb Havanese in my home. Very social, friendly and playful. He gets along w/all people and dogs. He will also be w/me for any house-sitting bookings. House-trained and not destructive.*** I usually reply to requests within 10-20 min. If it's after 11 then the next morning. I work remote full-time Mon to Fri 8-5. Can do pop-in visits, walks and feedings as needed or on a set schedule that works best for your pet's current routine. Condo here and unfortunately do not have a yard but there are lots of green spaces near my condo at 10th and Mulberry. Space is over 1200 sq ft so plenty of room for your pet. ***I do have an 11 lb Havanese puppy that loves attention but is very smart and picks up on queues from other dogs. Shy and timid upon introduction and will play only if the other dog engages. Loves people and attention. My Havanese will be present for boardings and will accompany me for house-sitting bookings***
“I was very pleased with the loving care Jovan gave my dog. She gave me updates, and my dog was very happy when I returned home. Jovan also took excellent care of my home. I appreciate all she did.”
“Yasmin went above and beyond and took my kitten Sir Snuggles to the vet when he was not feeling well (with my approval) when I was on travel abroad. She even got the vet on the phone at the appointment to talk to me. She was fantastic - and Snuggs is all better now thanks to her help.”
“Andrea was a great communicator and took great care of our dog, cat and house. The house was also spotless when we can home. We will definitely have her help again if we can!”
About: What sets me apart is a lifetime of animal experience combined with 12 years of professional pet care. From dogs and cats to horses, ferrets, rabbits, chickens, and fish, I understand that every animal has unique needs. Weather it's administering medications, caring for senior pets with a gentle touch, or simply providing companionship and love, I treat every pet as if they were my own so you can travel with confidence and peace of mind. As someone who has spent a lifetime around animals, pet care is already part of my everyday life. I understand how important routine is for animals and strive to maintain their normal schedule so they feel safe, comfortable, and lived while their family is away. At this time I am unable to bring your pet home with me. But I happy to stay with them in there home. I am a responsible adult with great love for animals.
“Meghan was amazing with our boy. Followed instructions very well and made our baby so happy! Worked with us on a missed connecting flight, I appreciate her so much! Will be booking again next time we travel!”
About: I started in the veterinary field at the age of 15 as a kennel technician and cross trained in the clinic as a veterinary assistant. I then went to school for animal/veterinary science and graduated with valuable skills and education. After school I went into zookeeping where i cared for a variety of taxa including but not limited to carnivores and hoofed animals. After leaving the field and changing careers, I became a foster home for Oh My Dog Rescue based in the Des Moines IA area. As a Retail Manager my schedule is not consistent however I guarantee that I will check on your animals a minimum of twice per day unless otherwise agreed upon. I do best house/petsitting for clients who leave detailed instructions and emergency contacts. I bring structure and high quality care to the table in every home I enter.
The median cost per night for house sitting in Des Moines is $45
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Des Moines
Stacey is awesome!! I'll admit that I'm not the most timely communicator, but Stacey is! She She always confirmed with me before our scheduled meet and greets, she was confident with our dog that isn't the best with new people, she kept us up to date regarding how our three pups were doing, and sent some sweet pictures. Our pups were clearly content hanging out with her. We will definitely be asking her to stay again! Thank you, Stacey!
Shelbi was absolutely fantastic! From the moment we connected, she was professional, communicative, and genuinely caring. She treated my pet like family and went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of while I was away. The updates, photos, and attention to detail gave me complete peace of mind. It was obvious that my pet was happy, comfortable, and receiving plenty of love and attention. Coming home to a well-cared-for, relaxed pet made all the difference. If you’re looking for someone trustworthy, responsible, and truly passionate about animals, I cannot recommend Shelbi highly enough. I would gladly book with her again and encourage anyone considering her services to do the same. Five stars all the way! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Allison did a fabulous job! She’s great at keeping our pups in their routine while we’re gone and makes sure they get everything they need, along with extra loves. It’s so amazing to come home to content and relaxed puppers, just like we came home from a day at work! Allison asks excellent questions to ensure she’s meeting expectations, sends great updates and takes care of our pets and home like they/it were her own.
Jordyn was fantastic! She was very communicative before, during, and after the sitting, so I was never left wondering what was going on. She and my babies totally connected and it left me feeling very confident to leave without worrying. She's very personable and I trusted her immediately. She will be my go to whenever she's available. Thank you Jordyn!
Claudia was excellent! She stayed with our crazy pups for a week and they loved her. We have two 50+ lb pit mixes. She sent lots of updates with pictures and videos. Great communication. Everything went smoothly and I’d highly recommend booking with her! We’ll definitely be back for future travels.
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
Meet local sitters who will treat your pets like family
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer house sitting
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform
Popular requests for house sitting - Des Moines
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Des Moines average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Des Moines
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for House Sitting in Des Moines on Rover is $44.4 per night (as of July 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of House Sitting easy. As long as your dates and pet profiles are correct, the price you see before you book is the same price you pay for House Sitting. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of July 2026, there are 641 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Des Moines. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Beyond belly rubs and feeding schedules, a house sitter’s presence may provide an additional layer of security for your home. However, you will need to arrange overnight stays and other household tasks with your sitter when reaching out to them. Not all sitters offer the same services. Common household tasks you can negotiate include:
- Mail & deliveries: Collecting letters and packages so they don't pile up.
- Plant care: Keeping your indoor or outdoor garden hydrated.
- Trash & recycling: Taking trash cans to the curb on scheduled pickup days.
- Home security: Sitters can stay overnight to keep your home occupied.
The best way to align on expectations is during your free Meet & Greet. Use this time to provide a "home cheat sheet" that includes your preferred Des Moines walking routes, the location of your favorite pet store, and any specific quirks about your home’s security or appliances.
It’s helpful to think of house sitting as a "home base" service. Most sitters in Des Moines maintain their normal daily routines, like running errands or heading to the office, meaning your pet should be comfortable being alone for a few hours at a time. If your pet needs a little extra company, here is how to find the perfect match:
- Look for "WFH" sitters: Many sitters mention "Work from Home" on their profile to indicate they’ll be present for the majority of the day.
- Update your pet’s profile: Write down how long your pet can comfortably be left alone. This helps sitters quickly determine if their schedule aligns with your needs.
- Communicate 24/7 needs: Standard house sitting usually doesn't include constant supervision. If your pet requires round-the-clock care, be sure to discuss this upfront.
Tip: Use the Meet & Greet to confirm a sitter's typical "away" windows. Transparency ensures your pet stays happy and your sitter can plan their day effectively!
Key handling is entirely up to you and your sitter to agree on during the Meet & Greet or in the Rover app. Most pet parents in Des Moines choose to hand over a spare key or digital fob in person, while others arrange a lockbox or unique access code. Don't forget to discuss key returns as well!
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the Rover Guarantee , which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit Rover's Trust & Safety page .
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your pet to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your pet is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
A Meet & Greet is a short introductory meeting between you, your pet, and a sitter. It can take place in person or virtually, although we recommend in-person so that your pet can get to know your sitter or the new environment. During the Meet & Greet, you will have a chance to walk through your pet's routine, medical needs, and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your sitter questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Most pet parents and sitters on Rover welcome Meet & Greets because the process can give confidence and peace of mind for service experiences, especially for longer stays or first-time bookings.
Sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy, which you can find on their profile under their calendar availability.
Cancelling before a booking begins and before the sitter's cutoff time qualifies you for a full refund. Same-day cancellations for walks, day care, and drop-ins follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for dog boarding and house sitting, you will receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for the remaining days when you cancel the same day a booking should begin.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means our support team works with you to find a replacement sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Des Moines. On Rover:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 94% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
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