House Sitting Leaf River

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Leaf River, Find top rated house sitting

Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.

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Sitter Profile Image: Samantha W.
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Samantha W.
from
$40
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
2 repeat clients
15 years of experience
Polo, IL, 61064

My pups took to Samantha immediately upon meeting her! Given that one of them can be real standoffish with people, we were shocked! Both of them sensed that she truly was a dog person and immediately bonded with her. She's mature and reliable and kept up wonderful communication with us throughout our trip. It gave us so much peace of mind seeing them. So happy in the pictures and knowing that they were being loved. Highly recommend she will be our first person we go to for future bookings.

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H. Russ B.
Sitter Profile Image: Laurel M.
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Laurel M.
from
$40
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
6 repeat clients
25 years of experience
Oregon, IL, 61061

Phenomenal sitter! My babies are tough and they love her to pieces! Laurel is so fantastic with animals. Truly. The house has never been in better hands! Thank you so much!

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Romina H.
Sitter Profile Image: Shayna S.
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Shayna S.
from
$55
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
6 reviews
4 years of experience
Byron, IL, 61010

Shayna was wonderful with our w cats and 2 dogs. She stayed with them in our house, gave them lots of love, sent us updates every day. She was thoughtful and communicative and gentle. They were happy and very well cared for an we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We will book her again without hesitation. Thanks, Shayna!

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Brooke B.
Sitter Profile Image: Meg J.
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Meg J.
from
$65
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
1 repeat client
10 years of experience
Stillman Valley, IL, 61084

About: I’ve been taking care of neighbors pets for 10 years! Neighbors have relied on me to feed their pets, bathe them, walk them and play with them!!! I have a baby and my schedule is completely open! Any days of the week! Whatever works best for you, i will work with to make sure you are happy and comfortable!!! I have a back door that leads to a field that i can take your pets out on! And maybe throw a toy and ball around!!!

Sitter Profile Image: Michelle E.
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Michelle E.
from
$65
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
44 reviews
15 repeat clients
42 years of experience
Rockford, IL, 61107

Michelle is wonderful! Kind, attentive, reliable and experienced, great with our dog Mini. We definitely look forward to working with her again.

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Deborah H.
Sitter Profile Image: Lily S.
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Lily S.
from
$20
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 reviews
1 repeat client
15 years of experience
Pecatonica, IL, 61063

Lily was great with the animals and they looked very happy in the photos she sent.

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Alicia H.
Sitter Profile Image: Jesus M.
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Jesus M.
from
$27
per night
3 years of experience
Rockford, IL, 61104

About: Grew up taking care of three dogs at home. I am dependable,patient, and committed to providing attention, trustworthy care that helps pets feel comfortable and secure Pet care fits naturally into my daily routine because I have a flexible schedule . I can provide walks,playtime, feeding, and regular check ins while making sure each pet gets attention and care they need I follow each pets routine closely, including feeding, walks,playtime, and any special instructions. I keep a clean,safe, and calm environment, provide plenty of attention, and make sure pets feel comfortable while owners are away

Sitter Profile Image: Reggi W.
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Reggi W.
from
$100
per night
4.9 out of 5 stars
144 reviews
56 repeat clients
30 years of experience
Rockford, IL, 61107

This was our first time ever having someone who isn’t a family member or close friend watch our dog and I felt so comfortable with Reggi staying in our home and taking care of our dog! She was warm and professional all at the same time. Highly recommended Reggi!

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Maddie T.
Sitter Profile Image: Cassidy H.
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Cassidy H.
from
$50
per night
15 years of experience
German Valley, IL, 61039

About: I have taken care of dogs since I was able to drive myself. My neighbors, family members & friends have trusted me to care for their pets for years. I absolutely love dogs & would love to be able to help you keep them safe & happy in the home. I work 40 hours per week and my schedule changes weekly. So my pets get most of the attention after work or before. Check availability! My schedule is weird, but works because i have days off during the week. I have two dogs currently. I love caring for them & enjoy spending time with them after working, I would love to add a few more to the list.

Sitter Profile Image: Estefanny O.
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Estefanny O.
from
$55
per night
4.9 out of 5 stars
39 reviews
12 repeat clients
9 years of experience
Rockford, IL, 61104

This is my 2nd time booking Estefanny. She's great with my dogs and I don't have to worry about anything while we're away. I come home to happy dogs!

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Sharon O.
Sitter Profile Image: Shelly H.
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Shelly H.
from
$50
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
1 repeat client
10 years of experience
Rockford, IL, 61109

Shelly was extremely attentive to my two girls while house sitting during my holiday trip. I was grateful for the many photos I received and she was accommodating about their routine. I recommend Shelly to anyone who wants peace of mind that their animals will be well taken care of.

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Michael M.
Sitter Profile Image: Beth C.
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Beth C.
from
$50
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
104 reviews
35 repeat clients
12 years of experience
Beloit, WI, 53511

Thank you so much for watching my girls and my old man Tim! My dogs looked well taken care of and enjoyed being spoiled! Thank you so much for being so flexible and able to watch them on such short notice!

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Carolyn B.
Sitter Profile Image: Vianey A.
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Vianey A.
from
$27
per night
1 year of experience
Rockford, IL, 61109

About: I dog sit occasionally so I’m comfortable with new dogs! I love being outside so that means more outside time for your furry friends :) I am currently working two part time jobs so I could schedule anytime between those two. Mon-Tuesday after noon, Wed-Sunday mornings, afternoons, nights only Wednesdays. This is my current schedule and it can change but I am flexible! :) I currently have one dog of my own and we have a fenced yard. He’s crate trained and potty trained. I can also crate your dog if needed and if they’re trained. My dog is friendly and calm with other dogs. We go on daily walks and he gets his playtime with us!

Sitter Profile Image: Brooke F.
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Brooke F.
from
$30
per night
3.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
8 years of experience
Freeport, IL, 61032

About: Hi there! I'm Brooke! I have 8+ years of professional animal care experience. I've volunteered at multiple shelters and handled all different kinds of animals, but i've grown up with animals my whole life! I've also dealt with all kinds of animals high energy and low so i'm up for the challenge! I look forward to meeting you and your furry friends! Pretty much my whole days are available to play with your furry friends! i’m available from as early as 7 am to as late as 10 pm! I have an open yard and three dogs of my own to keep yours company (they can be put away if needed) i also have crates if needed as well!

Sitter Profile Image: Jason T.
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Jason T.
from
$45
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
1 repeat client
43 years of experience
DeKalb, IL, 60115

He is very prompt with replies and Harvey is usually anxious but he seemed to be so relaxed around Jason even though it’s his first time. We requested for photos and updates every one hour to which he happily obliged. 😊☺️ I would gladly recommend him!

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Sai G.
Sitter Profile Image: Chris F.
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Chris F.
from
$65
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
6 repeat clients
3 years of experience
Sabula, IA, 52070

HIRE CHRIS. I won the lottery with him. It was my first time using Rover. I have a special needs rabbit who needed a caretaker after a rabbit boarding service was no longer available. I messaged several sitters and Chris was the first to respond. He is responsive and communicative. What I absolutely love about Chris, among many things, is that he asks questions. Not in a "what do I do" kind of way. Rather, "how do I do this to make sure it's done correctly". My special needs rabbit is on a specialized diet. I left Chris with instructions, which he followed to a tee, but he also sent a photo of the food. (My rabbit is feed very soft, watered down pellets and Critical Care due to recent dental surgery). I'm happy that he did because my rabbit can't chew on pellets. He sent lots of photos of Moo, too. Chris was also flexible with the initial meet 'n' greet appointment and visiting my landlord's office to pick up my front door key (which has to be loaned out). One of the reasons I chose Chris was his close proximity to my apartment. I will 5000% hire Chris again for my rabbit sitting needs. He took great care of my very special needs rabbit and Moo liked him too! I recommend him for your pet sitting needs, including small mammals!

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Jade T.
Sitter Profile Image: Brooke B.
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Brooke B.
from
$60
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
30 years of experience
Brodhead, WI, 53520

Brooke was just fabulous with all my fur babies! She is patient, inquisitive, kind and caring. She was in very in tune with my all four of my fur babies’ needs, and was responsive to my questions both in person and via the phone/text. Brooke caught on quickly to all their little idiosyncrasies and took it all in stride. I have had a dog that is terrified of any type of rainstorms. She can tell that a storm is coming when it’s two hours away! So, she needs her meds, her thundershirt and she needs understanding when it comes to getting her in her safe space. She even stayed calm when my cat brought her a mouse. None of my fur babies appeared to miss me at all! She sent me daily updates, considered each pet’s individual needs, and took good care of my home. My home is not easy to manage, but she handled it very well. My family loved the stories I shared from Brooke while I was on vacation with. I would highly for anyone’s pet sitting needs.

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Laurie L.
Sitter Profile Image: Angela B.
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Angela B.
from
$70
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
31 reviews
7 repeat clients
22 years of experience
Sycamore, IL, 60178

Angela watched our 3 dachshunds for 3 days over Thanksgiving. During the meet and greet, all 3 of our girls took to her right away. Angela asked questions and made sure she understood the girls’ routine and needs. Since she was sitting on Thanksgiving, she would be away for longer than normal to spend time with her family - not an issue, but she made sure to address this with us ahead of time, which was appreciated! She arrived and departed on schedule as promised. She provided pictures and detailed updates while we were away. She even helped us with some logistics in Rover - when the arrival and departure times changed, she updated them for us! It’s extremely important to us that we have someone we can trust and rely on to watch our girls and give access to our home while we are away, and Angela fits the bill! We will be using her again.

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Sara M.
Sitter Profile Image: Diana K.
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Diana K.
from
$125
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
15 years of experience
Machesney park, IL, 61115

Highly recommend Diana. Our Daisy loved her immediately at our initial meet and greet. She kept us informed of how Daisy was doing while we were away. Very in tune with the needs of our girl.

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Karla & Rick V.
Sitter Profile Image: Kira S.
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Kira S.
from
$40
per night
5.0 out of 5 stars
1 review
17 years of experience
Rockfalls, IL, 61071

We are happy to have booked Kira for pet sitting our dogs. We would definitely book with her again.

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Catherine F.
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The median cost per night for house sitting in Leaf River is $45

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. 1. Search

    Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer house sitting
  2. 2. Meet In Person

    Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit
  3. 3. Book & Pay

    It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform

Popular requests for house sitting - Leaf River

Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.

Sitters in Leaf River average 4
repeat house sitting clients

FAQs for House Sitting - Leaf River

Frequently asked questions about Rover

As of September 2026, there are 143 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Leaf River. 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 Leaf River 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 Leaf River 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 Leaf River 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 Leaf River. On Rover:

  • 100% of sitters can help with special care needs
  • 93% can help with giving oral medications or injections
  • 100% 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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