House Sitting River Forest
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 2 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.
“Fabulous experience! Jessica was absolutely great. This was my first time using Rover and I was a bit nervous, but Jessica was great with my dogs. I was in a pinch and she took this job last minute. I will definitely be requesting her for future dog care.”
“Emma answered to our last minute in house sitting request, this was our first time using Rover and I couldn’t be more pleased with our experience. Emma was very kind, listened to all our detailed instructions, and made sure our pups were well taken care of. She made sure they went on their walks and got their potty breaks in. Our pups, Oso and Leily, both loved her and quickly warmed up to her. She also sent us pictures of them while we were away to make sure we knew they were doing great. We couldn’t have asked for a better in house sitter. We will definitely be using Emma from now on whenever we need a sitter again!”
About: PSA: I do not offer boarding! Over the course of my life, I’ve been around and cared for animals. My friends have asked me to take care of mostly cats, but I’ve also looked after smaller/medium sized dogs, and a few different reptiles. I am good with dogs at almost any age, but especially older dogs. With cats, I can do just about any age! I’ve taken care of cats in my own home since I was 5. I’ve bathed cats, dogs, reptiles, and I can give necessary care if it’s needed! I currently have a very open schedule and am able to give animals proper attention! If I so happen to have plans, my calendar should be updated. I am also open to negotiate time, just contact me! Currently my little cat is more accustomed to the indoors and is not used to being around many other animals, because of this, it is preferable (and by preferable I mean I cannot sit for your animal in my home) that I sit in my client’s home! I would need to know the basics such as: where your pets food is, toys, cleaning supplies in case of emergencies, and any other special or necessary things you would like me to do regarding your animal (if there are any). On a side note: I am no official expert by any means, but I am one to be observant of your animals behavior. This of course means I understand when your animal needs food, wants to play, or needs to use the bathroom, but it also means that I can read emotions pretty well. I can read expressions of animals fairly well and I’m usually able to tell if something is bothering them. If you believe something is bothering them, please don’t hesitate to tell me as I will try my best to investigate! I believe animals show us what is wrong with them through their own signs of communication. If I’m able to help in anyway, I will!
About: Hi, I’m Elizabeth, and I’m a dedicated dog lover with over seven years of experience in pet sitting and dog walking! Growing up with dogs, I’ve always had a deep love and understanding of different breeds, sizes, and temperaments. My goal is to provide a safe, loving, and stress-free environment for your furry family members while you’re away. I know how important it is to have peace of mind when leaving your pet in someone else’s care. As a dog parent myself, I understand the value of personalized, attentive care—giving your pup the love, exercise, and attention they deserve rather than a kennel stay. I work flexible hours doing marketing/promotional jobs a few days a week, but I am home most of the time, so your pup will have plenty of companionship and care. I am available mornings and evenings daily and around lunch time some days. Letting me know your pets normal routine will help me make sure I am available during those times. I have a friendly older English bulldog who loves playing with new dog friends. He doesn’t always come with me and doesn’t have to if I have any in home stays where the animals don’t like other dogs in the home.
About: I have had dogs and cats all my life. I am willing to keep special needs pets and am able to give medication. I am open to discussing any special requirements your pet might have. I live at home with my mom and this is my only job. I am free to give your pet all the love and attention they need. I have a lead in our yard for potty time and live near a dog park for fun and exercise. We will take walks, having brushing time to bond, and have lots of play time. I do have a dog kennel available inside and will have food and water bowls for your pup. We do have cats, so please make sure your dog is cat friendly.
“Des was awesome! Copper the Dog and Princess Leia loved her! She was extremely friendly and kept the lines of communication open. During the stay she provided pictures and videos of the dogs. She stayed at my home and left it clean when she left. There were a couple of changes and challenges (not her fault at all) during the stay, but she rolled with the punches and was very flexible. Definitely utilize her professional services. She even left a friendly note after she left. 😃”
“Grace is always so great with our dog Ellie! I don’t have to worry about her knowing she’s in great hands! She always communicates timely and sends great pictures! We use her whenever we go out of town!”
About: I have compassion for animals, especially those separated from their owners and take special care to make them feel loved. Ongoing attention is my specialty. I am currently home most of the time and have never liked leaving animals home alone. I like to walk as part of my daily routine if you have dogs. I have always been very attentive to pets I am caring for and go the extra mile to be sure they have what they like and need. Ex. I change the bird's water several times a day so it is cool!
“Iris is truly the best! She watched Lola while I was away for my wedding weekend. I had a million things to stress about but I was so grateful I didn't have to worry about Lola at all because I knew she was in the best hands. Wouldn’t have trusted Lola with anyone else for such an important day. Thank you Iris!!”
“Bella was GREAT with our pup! He can be a bit of a handful from time to time and she managed his weirdness extremely well. She left our home nice and tidy as well. Will definitely be asking her to watch George again!”
“Kristan did great watching our dog at our house for the weekend! Our dog is a little particular and requires lots of walks for her energy and Kristan was great meeting her needs. She gave her all the attention she needs and gave us updates. She also left our house all neat and clean! Definitely recommend her!”
“Thank you for taking such good care of our furr babies!! Thank you for being so trust worthy and communicative. I knew they were in good hands and was able to relax while out of town. Also, thank you for taking care of the house. Will book again!”
About: From walking, feeding, or just making sure they have enough attention from each visit. I have encountered all types of dogs throughout my family visits and dealing with stages/problems that come with age. I'm currently attending college at Marian University, but will graduate in May and should have a completely free schedule from that point on. I have access to a vehicle and willing to change my time/schedule to fit sitting for your pets. I have four dogs to deal with in my family and I'm use to dealing with large dog piles. However, I will spend my time making sure each one gets attention
“Holli and Susan were great with our dogs and extremely responsive. We couldn’t recommend this duo enough. We appreciate the extra care & support they showed our Freddie.”
“Lauren was absolutely amazing with our pups. She gave daily updates and pictures, very communicative, and we could tell our pups were well taken care of when we got home. Highly recommend her! We will definitely use her again.”
About: I've been taking care of animals since I was 5 when I got my first dog, and I've been caring for animals ever since! I've cared for many different species, such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, cows, fish, and a couple of reptiles! I'm always looking for new animal friends and would love to meet yours! I'm currently a full time college student, and have two classes a day. I will be available for pet care at all hours other than 10-11am, and 12-1pm during my classes. I have a nice big hallway for your pet if a kennel is needed, and I have great access to a nice, safe walking path, plus a big yard for pets to play. I am very adaptable and can make anything work!
The median cost per night for house sitting in River Forest is $50
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - River Forest
Jessica was once again wonderful to work with! She was thoughtful of our circumstances and ensured she was respectful of what we had happening while we were away. She also sent photos multiple times a day which seriously goes so far for us ♡ our animals were happy and our house was clean after her stay 🙂
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?
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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
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Popular requests near you
Select a filter and find qualifying River Forest sitters!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 $33.3 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 933 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:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 94% 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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