House Sitting River Forest
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 106 pet parents in River Forest have booked house sitting
River Forest, 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.
“Our one cat is not a cuddler, but we have numerous pictures showing him cuddling with Diane. She comforted our Senior cat in the middle of the night, and bonded with our two dogs. We could not be happier!”
“Justice was a fantastic dog, cat, and house sitter. My very picky dog immediately loved her, which was honestly shocking because she doesn’t like most people. My sweet cat loves everybody but is not a lap cat but sat on her lap! She also took excellent care of our house, offered to water plants, and left the house clean and everything back in its place. I would absolutely book her again. Having a great pet and house sitter gives me peace of mind to thoroughly enjoy a vacation or fully focus on work during a conference, so I was thrilled to find Justice.”
“Coleen did a wonderful job watching Ollie while we were out of town for a few days. We received frequent updates and upfront information related to time spent with our pup. Coleen was very professional and responsive, we will request to book again soon! Thanks Coleen!”
“Sean was an absolute treasure to our girl, Luna. He was very responsive from the get-go and made sure that all of our accommodations were met. I’m not sure that we will ever book with anybody else as Luna adored Sean when we returned. I would give Sean 100/10 stars if I could. I highly recommend entrusting him.”
“Katelyn was great with our fur babies! She sent plenty of photo updates throughout the booking. She updated us about anything going on with the kids and asked questions along the way. We really appreciated her communication! The dogs loved her during meet and greet. I’m sure they wanted her to stay with all the doggy cuddle puddles! Would definitely book her again! It was so reassuring to have someone reliable, communicable, and compassionate. Made our vacation a breeze. We missed our doggos, but didn’t have to worry or stress with Katelyn!”
“Ruby did a fantastic job taking care of our pets and our home!! We came home to three very happy nuggets. I think she brushed them while we were away, since our (very large) dog’s coat is super shiny - and she even took out the trash before leaving! We had to extend our trip by 2 days for a family emergency, and she was incredibly flexible and was able to provide care for the additional 2 days. Ruby definitely went above & beyond, and we’d love to have her sit for our dog & 2 cats again any time!”
“Ashlee is the absolute best!! We try to work with her every time we leave town. She takes such good care of our dog, is super responsive and sends lots of pictures 😊 I can’t say enough good things about her !”
“Yolanda was fantastic with my dogs. She sent me multiple pictures throughout the weekend with both my pups looking so happy. One of my dogs gets anxious and scared easily and he absolutely loved her and trusted her immediately. So thankful to have someone like her to watch my dogs when I’m away for trips”
“We are so lucky to have found Beth! She was incredibly patient and understanding with Gus when he was initially a little anxious about us leaving. He soon warmed up and it was clear he was so happy to have Beth’s company! We received great updates and pictures throughout the stay.”
“Dominique took great care of my boys while we were out of town. She was very responsive and sent frequent updates. She flowed instructions thoroughly and kept my boys happy, entertained, and safe. We loved meeting her and my pups loved having her over!”
“Joanna was great. She obviously loves cats and knows a ton about them, which made me very comfortable leaving her in charge of my 2 guys. She sent me updates including video clips of her engaging and playing with the boys every day. Would definitely rebook”
About: I’ve cared for all kinds of dogs—big, small, energetic, friendly, and even those who need a little extra patience and attention. Every dog is different, and I’m happy to adapt to whatever makes them feel comfortable, happy, and well cared for. I’m even more experienced with cats, having grown up around them my entire life! I love getting to know each cat’s unique personality and making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while you’re away. I also have experience administering insulin shots to cats and am comfortable following specific care routines and instructions. I currently have almost complete availability, so I have plenty of time to spend with your pets! I'm very flexible. Reach out to me for scheduling. I'm used to many varying sets of rules from house to house when it comes to pets. Let me know where they should and shouldn't be and I'll make sure to keep to that!
“Cristian was awesome. Very communicative and asked all the right questions before booking and updated us frequently with what was going on with our dog. He went above and beyond and took him for an extra walk and feed when our flight was delayed for 4 hours. I’ll definitely book him again!”
“William took care of our two dogs for a full week while we were away. They had a great time! The house was in perfect condition when we got back also. The dogs definitely had a better time with William than they did when we sent them to the boarders before!”
The median cost per night for house sitting in River Forest is $52
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - River Forest
We had such a great experience with Sarah! I was very nervous about leaving my two dogs for several nights, but she made the entire experience so much easier. She took wonderful care of them, kept us updated, and made sure they were happy and comfortable while we were away. It was such a relief knowing they were in good hands.
We hired Ariel to care for our two dogs while we were out of town, and I couldn’t have been happier with the experience! One of our dogs is particularly nervous, so we always prefer to have an in-home pet sitter rather than board her. Ariel did a wonderful job with both dogs and was able to make our nervous pup comfortable enough to eat her food and supplement and go outside to use the bathroom. It’s clear that Ariel has a lot of experience with dogs, and I really appreciated her knowledge and confidence in caring for them. She was also respectful of our home and left everything exactly as we had left it. It gave us great peace of mind knowing our dogs were in such capable hands while we were away and we would absolutely hire Ariel again! I would absolutely hire Ariel again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, experienced, and caring pet sitter!
Justice was a fantastic dog, cat, and house sitter. My very picky dog immediately loved her, which was honestly shocking because she doesn’t like most people. My sweet cat loves everybody but is not a lap cat but sat on her lap! She also took excellent care of our house, offered to water plants, and left the house clean and everything back in its place. I would absolutely book her again. Having a great pet and house sitter gives me peace of mind to thoroughly enjoy a vacation or fully focus on work during a conference, so I was thrilled to find Justice.
This was my first time leaving my dog with anyone other than my mom. Misha stayed with him for 3 nights and I can say for certain Misha has a gift for this! He warmed right up to her and the two had a ball all weekend. My dog can be a bit of a spoiled brat, and she handled his diva attitude perfectly lol. She gave lots of updates and pictures. She followed the care instructions to a tee! The house is in perfect shape, you wouldn’t even know she was here. If you’re nervous about using Rover for the first time - go with Misha and you and your pet will be happy and at ease.
Daniella is AMAZING with my Rotties! I have two and she is wonderful with them. They absolutely love her, my home and my babies are always in shape and safe when I return. She sends updates when needed or just to ease my mind and communicates any changes she sees in my dogs behavior so that I am aware. Will continue to book with her!!
Nancy took excellent care of my senior dog! She is very thorough. She made sure she knew all the details of his routine and how best to care for him. She is great at communicating too. She sent pictures while I was away which I really appreciated. I highly recommend Nancy!
This is the second time we’ve used Lidiana to care for our 17-year old pup: the first time was for a period of over two weeks when my husband and I were on vacation and the last time was just for one night. She is reliable, caring, and communicative. We plan on using her for as long as she’s available and willing!
Our dog loves Grace! She is reliable, always keeps us updated with lots of pictures, and genuinely cares about our dog. He has some quirks that she patiently navigates and gives us peace of mind while we’re away. She did a fantastic job house sitting and we feel so lucky to have her help taking care of our dog!
Alicia came to stay with our dog over the weekend and she was so wonderful! We were nervous to leave him behind for the first time, but Alicia was the perfect person to calm our fears and take care of him! She is truly an animal person - I could tell by how easily she connected with our dog from the moment she walked in. She sent daily check ins, photos and updates during the weekend as well! Will definitely be rebooking. Thank you again Alicia you’re the best!!
Jacob was an exceptional find for our furry tornado of energy. His experience is obvious to anyone within a few minutes of meeting your dog. He is knowledgeable, kind, and patient. He also left our house in immaculate shape at the end of his stay! You will know your dog is in good hands when you hire Jacob.
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.
How to book house sitting
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 - River Forest
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in River Forest average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - River Forest
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of House Sitting in River Forest is $72 per night as of November 2026. Most bookings cost between $44 and $94 per night. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of November 2026, there are 7,812 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across River Forest. 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 River Forest 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 River Forest 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 River Forest 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 casual meeting to vet potential sitters and communicate care needs for peace of mind before a booking begins. Only sitters who have never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover; however, you are welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you have previously booked. This can be helpful if you have a new pet or routine you want to go over with your sitter.
Meet & Greets can take place in person or virtually. If you are booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your sitter interacts with your pet 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. Meet & Greets are a great way to prepare your pet and sitter for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first Meet & Greet.
sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy, which you can find on their profile under their contact information. Sitters may set a same-day, one-, three-, or seven-day cancellation policy. Cancelling within your sitter’s cancellation policy qualifies you for a full refund.
Same-day cancellations for recurring services, which include walks, drop-ins, and day care, follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for pet boarding and house sitting, if you cancel after 12 pm on the applicable cancellation deadline, you’ll receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for any remaining days.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means you will get a full refund and our support team will work with you to find a replacement sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in River Forest. On Rover:
- 87% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 91% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 95% 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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