House Sitting River Forest
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 94 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.
“Diane is a gem! We have 2 Little Havanese pups and When she comes over, she sits on the floor so the dogs get comfy. She obviously loves dogs. We were traveling for 4 days and She sent us photos everyday with a short text of what they did. Also-when we got home -the condo was pristine. We will be happy to contract her again!”
“Katalina gave us great peace of mind watching our dog Avery. She gave regular updates and pictures of our pup, and she was clear and friendly in her communication. Such a professional who wants to make sure your fur baby is taken care ofb”
“Ray was absolutely amazing, with our senior dog. He listened to all of my advice and took everything I asked him to do very seriously, took him on a very long walk to the forest like I had asked. Overall, I would higher Ray again in a heartbeat if i'm going out of town or just if I need somebody for the day.”
“Oh goodness, I don't know where to begin! Miguel is wonderful! He kept in touch with me and if he had questions on Zona's care he reached out to me for clarity. Photos were sent to me daily with days activities! My home was secure and Zona cared for with Miguel. We will definitely use him again. Thank you Miguel!!”
“Malcomn was so good with our somewhat tricky dogs (included giving them medication), gave us thorough updates often, and left our home spotless! We had a wonderful experience, will be using him again, and recommend him highly.”
“Justice took good care of my dog and four cats. She was very communicative and had to follow a medication regimen and somewhat complicated feeding system. I will definitely book her again when I’m next out of town!”
About: I am always the girl finding a dog and asking to pet them. As a kid, my sisters and I wished for a dog and that finally came true in 6th grade. Bailey was the best Christmas present and gifted us 14 beautiful years. Throughout that time, I’ve dog sat for a range of dogs (small, large, puppy and senior). Along with dogs, I am comfortable with cats. We have 2 orange cats of our own. I am available for walks, play dates and more. I am a teacher and have the summer off. I will be tutoring and will have a lot of flexibility during the week and would love to spend some time with your pets. I am very trustworthy and will take great care of your pets in your home. I love going for walks and playing with your pups or cats.
“Jamie is a super star at our house. She watched my old cat for a few days and he instantly felt comfortable around her. I’m definitely booking her services again, and you should too!”
“What can I say about Yesi! What a dream sitter for our old man. I was able to go on a week long vacation and I can honestly say I did not worry at all while I was away. I received daily pictures and updates. Miles is old and anxious and very attached to me so I was worried about finding someone who would care for him like I do. Yesi filled those shoes. From our very first meet and greet I knew she was the one. Thank you Yesi! You went above and beyond for us and you’re such a lovely person. We can’t thank you enough.”
About: I love taking care of dogs! I have two of my own and have always grown up with dogs in the house. I’ve been taking care of pets for people regularly for at least 8 years or so now. I do a lot of dog walking, and long stay dog sitting. It brings me so much joy to be able to watch and take care of animals! I currently work as a barista at a cafe. My schedule is very flexible, usually working around 4-5 days a week. I either work early mornings to early afternoon, or early afternoon to early evening. Other than that I’m always available and around. If I agree to watching somebody’s pet, I will always prioritize that and tweak my work schedule so that it fits in with the pet sitting. As I won’t be offering any boarding at my home, I will always make sure I’m following all the safety protocols at the pets home etc.
About: Our family has had a dog for over 20 years. So I have experience caring for them and walking them and working with difficult and reactive dogs as well. Our family has also owned a cat in the past for 15 years so I have experience with all kinds of cats. Difficult ones included. I have cat sat in the past as well for 3 cats I am currently free during the week and weekend at any point. I can do a morning walk, afternoon or evening. I can dog sit as well with a few days notice. I take my own dog on at least 3 walks a day for at least 15 20 minutes. So I'll have no problem walking another dog for any amount of time. I treat my dog with love but also discipline. She knows her basic commands
“Dylan was amazing with our Dobermans Storm and Damen!!! He stayed with them in our home and not only was he great with them and they loved him. Thank you and we will definitely be reaching out to Dylan again!!!”
About: I unfortunately wasn’t allowed to have pets until I was older. I adopted my first pet (a cat) at 19 and she’s still with me! With the addition of 5 other cats as well since my family moved in with me😭. Although 2 of those cats are technically not mine, but one of family members, I still care for them all the same. I have also fostered kittens before and helped potty train them as well as bottle fed them. I have some experience giving medication to my cats for a short time; no long term medications as of now. —————————————————— I have pet sit for my friends whom are mostly fellow cat owners. For them, they usually just ask me to drop by during the day or evening to feed and change their litter and spend some time around them. I’ve taken care of my friends dog who doesn’t go on walks, so I would let her out in my friends yard to use the bathroom and then she’d come right back in to lay on the couch. I have several family members that are dog owners and I’ve been around them playing with them and occasionally went on walks with them or helped feeding them. But I’ve never officially taken care of them with out the owners being there. ——————————————— Although I am more of a cat person, I do get along with dogs! With cats I have 6 or so years of experience and with dogs I have about 2 years of experience. When visiting your home, I will take care of your home and leave things as they were!! If there any instructions you would like for me to follow, I will gladly read them, whether that’s for the fur babies or the house itself! I’m currently working part time so my schedule is pretty flexible and since my family currently lives with me they help take care of my own cats if I leave town. I typically work Wednesday and Friday afternoons and I’m free after 5:30pm, I do work weekends but I’m normally available after 4:00 pm and can stay overnight if needed. I’m normally off Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays so I can come by more during those days, but any day during the week I can fit in dropping by, specially in the afternoons! Since I currently live with family and 6 cats I understand most other pets might not immediately get along with 6 new animals, so I can always drop by or stay at your place to take care of your fur babies!
“Eddie was fantastic with our two huskies! He kept in regular contact with us while we were away, providing detailed updates on how our dogs were doing. We truly appreciated his communication and the way he cared for our fur babies. Eddie also respected our home, leaving it just as we had left it. It was as if no one had been there at all! Thanks so much Eddie for loving our babies.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in River Forest is $50
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - River Forest
Sarah is an awesome and reliable sitter! I had a quick work trip immediately after moving to the area and Maple wasn’t feeling the best, so I was extremely anxious about leaving… but Sarah was so communicative and easy to work with and Maple loved her. Came home to a happy and healthy dog and we are both extremely grateful for Sarah! I will definitely be booking again, thank you Sarah!!!
Diane stayed in our home with our Senior Dog for almost two weeks. I was anxious about leaving Bailey for such a long period of time, but after a couple of visits by Diane to our home to meet with Bailey, I felt comfortable and confident leaving Bailey (and my home) in Diane's care. She shared updates daily, which I appreciated. She is awesome and I would highly recommend her.
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.
Chris was beyond fantastic! He watched my anxious dog for four days. The first day London proved to be challenging but Chris hung in there, was uber patient, and won her over! London is fearful of rain and storms and loud noises and Chris kept her calm enough that she didn’t need any trazadone during the storms. What a feat! I have the most adorable pictures of a relaxed London and “pals for life” of the two of them. Chris stayed in communication with me, drastically reducing my stress and guilt at leaving her home. He was very conscientious and left my house very neat and clean, even cleaning up the poop in the yard! Additionally, Chris is just a truly nice and thoughtful person. I could not have been happier with his services and I plan to call on him every time and just hope he’s available. I hate to give this honest review since I’m sure people will want to snap him up!
We had to find pet care for our week long trip on short notice. From the beginning Maribel was very flexible and responsive. We met for a meet and greet and our dog Ivy, who is not usually friendly with strangers in her home, brought Maribel her favorite toy after a brief sniff. We got daily updates and pictures. Ivy always looked happy and well cared for. We will definitely trust Maribel to care for our pup in the future.
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
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Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit
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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 for House Sitting in River Forest on Rover is $70.87 per night (as of August 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 August 2026, there are 8,065 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 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 River Forest. On Rover:
- 93% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 94% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 96% 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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