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.
“Jessica did a great job taking care of our animals! She was consistent with her check-ins and asked questions when she wasn’t sure about something. We came back to happy animals and our home in good condition! ♡”
“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!”
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!
“We were very pleased with using Tammy for the first time with the two beardies at our home over the weekend. I felt very comfortable leaving them with her after meeting her and her careful attention to the details of taking care of them. We could tell they were pleased, unstressed and happy with her stay. We would not hesitate to use her again and refer her to friends! She took great care with our house as well”
“Olivia was wonderful with our pups while we were out of town. She was prompt with responding to any questions I had leading up the day of our departure, and was communicative while we were gone. She also sent me pictures of our dogs which was nice to see. She meshed really well with our dogs during a meet and greet so I had no doubt they’d warm up to her. She was also very generous in tidying up things like dishes, folding up any blankets used on the couch, and watered the plants for me. I am looking forward to booking her again!”
“Having Evelyn watch our dog was a great decision and one we’ll repeat in the future for sure. We were feeling guilty about leaving our nervous dude for almost two weeks but Evelyn put our minds at eases. She came over beforehand, met Otto and took lots of notes. Evelyn took care of our house (even keeping garden veggies alive in summer) and our dog and you should too. Great communication too! Thanks Evelyn!”
“Kyan did such a good job taking care of our dog and cats while we were out of town. They were very respectful of the house, and made sure to let us know that Wynnie was itching a lot too. Definitely helped us identify that there needed to be a change in her shampoo to help with some dry skin. We will definitely use Kyan again.”
“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!!”
“Abbey did a great job with my two dogs when I went on an overnight trip. She had great communication and sent me some cute pictures of them. I don’t often leave them with someone they don’t know, but Abbey was splendid and I would definitely book her again!”
“I got photos and updates daily. Kari even vacuumed and ran the dishwasher. My three dogs enjoyed their time with her and I was able to enjoy my time away knowing they were able to stay home with a reliable person . Highly recommend”
About: Animals have always been a big part of my life — I grew up around dogs, cats, and pretty much every pet in the neighborhood, so being around them just feels like home. I started pet sitting for family and friends when I was young, and it kind of grew from there through word of mouth, which honestly means the world to me. I genuinely love spending time with animals, whether that means keeping up with a high-energy pup or just sitting quietly with a pet who needs some company. Every animal has their own personality, and getting to know that is honestly my favorite part of the job. My schedule is super flexible — honestly, anytime works for me. I'm self-employed, so I have the freedom to be available whenever your pet needs me, whether that's early mornings, evenings, weekends, or last-minute bookings. No 9-to-5 restrictions here! Your pet will never feel like they're being squeezed into a busy schedule — they'll always have my full attention. When I'm in your home, I treat it like my own — with respect, care, and a lot of love for your pet. I follow whatever routine your pet is used to because consistency matters, especially when you're away. I'm not just popping in to check a box — I'm fully present, keeping things comfortable and familiar so your pet barely notices you're gone. Your home and your fur baby are in good hands.
“Annalise was great! She came to meet our dogs before our in house sitting and they instantly loved her! She followed all our pet care instructions and even cleaned up after herself before she left. We look forward to booking her again!”
“Hannah was very flexible, meet n greet, and is kind, confident, and understanding. She clearly has experience with loud and large dogs as well. I would trust her to watch the dogs again!”
“We’ve used Rover for years and never had such a positive experience as we did with Megan. She not only took diligent notes about all of my pups little quirks and preferences, but she really went the extra mile every opportunity she had. Our dogs loved her, too 😃. I will absolutely be using her in the future and recommending Megan to anyone looking for a pet/house sitter.”
“I am so grateful we found Kristen! She was reliable, professional, and cared for our dog Bella like her own. She is so sweet and thoughtful. Kristen is a great communicator. I would definitely recommend her to anyone and would absolutely use her services again in the future.”
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 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 $33.3 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 907 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
- 95% 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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