House Sitting Runnells
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Runnells, 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.
“We would highly recommend Angie for anyone’s pet sitting needs! She didn’t experience any issues with our elderly, special needs dog who requires medication and a Bailey chair to eat in twice a day, who also can be dog reactive on walks. Nor with our senior cat who requires medication daily as well. Our other senior cat who is very skittish even came out to say hi, which I think shows a lot about Angie’s character. We loved the occasional check ins and photos of our pets we received from Angie. On top of all of that, we came home to a clean house. After being gone 10 days. With 3 shedding pets in the house! We feel very fortunate to have found Angie. She will be our top choice for all future pet sitting needs.”
“Justus did an AMAZING job of watching my 1year old German Shepherd, Violet! She was there for 3 days and she sent tons of photos and updates so I didn't have to worry. She played with her a lot, left my house spotless and was respectful of everything there. I know Violet will love having her back next time I have to go out of town with her. Lastly, if she can handle my puppy and her energy for 3 days.. she can handle anything!”
“We had such a great experience with Allison! She is absolutely amazing and took such great care of our pups while we were away. We got regular updates and photos, which gave us total peace of mind. It is clear our dogs were happy, loved, and in great hands. Highly recommend and will definitely be booking again! 🐾”
“Absolutely! Here's a polished version tailored for a testimonial: I never once worried that my girls weren’t safe or being lovingly cared for. It takes a truly special person to look after someone else’s pets with the same devotion as their own—and that’s exactly what we experienced. The peace of mind and genuine care made all the difference.”
“Yasmin took excellent care of my dog during a week-long trip and I would definitely book with her again! Ranger gets anxious sometimes, especially when his routine is disrupted, but he seemed happy and content in all of the picture/video updates (and I appreciated her sending those regularly). Thank you for keeping my best friend happy and healthy while we were gone, Yasmin!”
“Stacey takes great care of our dogs. Whether it’s a drop-in visit or house sitting, I never have to worry about them. They always get plenty of pets, play time, and snuggles.”
“We really love Jessica and she takes good care of our fur babies! We have a 7 year old foxhound a 7 month old new lab/beagle mix puppy at our house and she took on both last week, and they just loved having her here! She always sends us updates and photos and I feel very at ease when we are out of town and she is here. Highly recommend.”
“Amber was great. She took great care of my dogs and house. My Beagle does not like storms and she kept him calm during a little storm. This was my first time using Rover and she gave me a great first experience. I will be hiring her for future needs.”
“Donna was nice and very easy to work with. She was reliable and on time for both the initial meeting and for the stay so we could leave on time. She did a great job and provided some good updates and pictures of the dogs. Thanks for taking good care of them!”
“Adrianne took wonderful care of Oliver. She kept us updated and sent pictures throughout the weekend. Oliver has a happy pup when we returned, we will definitely be booking her again!”
About: Feeding, watering, and exercising your four-legged family members is the easy part. My priority is making sure your furry friends feel loved and special while you’re not able to be there. I know the stress and worry of having to be away and hoping your pet is being well-cared for. I am there to ease your mind and to make it less stressful for you and your pet. I am an expert cat and dog snuggler and have been known to be a cat whisperer for those felines that don’t warm up easily. Although I am new to this platform, I am not new to taking care of pets. I have been a cat and dog owner for over 30 years. I am also a proud cat/dog auntie for my nieces and nephew’s pets. Over the years I have also watched many friends pets while they travel. For most of last year while traveling for work, I housesat and watched furry loved ones through another platform while traveling for work in the DC area. I have been in healthcare for more than two decades, but I am currently on a break to work on some new projects. That work happens in my home office and I am my own boss. So my schedule is open and flexible. I am also comfortable taking care of special medical issues your pet may have. I have been in healthcare for more than two decades, but I am currently on a break to work on some new projects. That work happens in my home office and I am my own boss. So my schedule is open and flexible. I am also comfortable taking care of special medical issues your pet may have. I will care for your pets like they are my own and will follow any special instructions/rules that you have. Their safety is my top priority
“Travis was exceptionally quick to respond and very attentive to my three dogs. Two of my dogs can be hyper and he never once seemed put off by their behaviors. I got photo updates from him without having to ask and he was on time to get to my house before we left out of state. If we needed a sitter again, we’d definitely book with Travis.”
“Kendra was very flexible and so sweet to my baby 🥰 she updated me throughout and communicated very well regarding any needs/concerns. Will definitely be utilizing her in the future!”
About: I am very versatile. Adaptable. I have always tended to lean toward older dogs and have had older dogs up to age of 18. I have an absolute love of all animals. I work 2 days a week Wed and Friday. Friday is an 8 hour day in Ankeny. I am available after 445 on Fridays. I love all living creatures but I am allergic to cats. I have owned dogs, my last one passed away last year. I am a nurse and am very comfortable giving meds, injections and recognizing illness in dogs. I have done all of these things with past pets and dog sits. It would have to be in clients home. My current living situation does not allow for sitting in my home. I am well traveled and adapt well to many situations. I grew up in Des Moines and am very familiar with the area and surrounding areas.
“Rachael was great with my puppy! She picked her up for a stay at her house and sent me frequent updates with lots of great pictures. My puppy had the best time and I was very assured that she was well cared for!”
“Chloe stayed at my apartment with my fearful rescue while I was at work for two days. They got along famously and she was quite adept at reading him! The regular updates soothed my worry about leaving him. I returned to a joyous dog both times- could not have asked for anyone better.”
“Sierra was amazing! Such great and fast communication which I really appreciate, sending us photos of the dogs, and left the house super clean and intact when she left. We would definitely book her again!”
About: I’ve had for dogs of every age and size for my entire life, but have been a serious caretaker of them for about 10 years. I can give medicines including insulin shots, and will heed every dietary and exercise need given to me. I’m currently working full-time, however I commute from Ames to Des Moines every day so I am used to driving long distances. I also have a very flexible schedule and can work from home if I can give at least 2-3 days notice; I can leave for long periods at lunch; and I can get off work early if a drop-in visit is needed before 4:00. I can also stay as late as necessary into the evening, as long as expectations are communicated beforehand. I am extremely communicative and I will let my clients know if I am early, behind, or unable to complete a task. I cannot take pets into my apartment or workplace, however, I have experience with strictly and loosely trained animals in just about every situation under the sun. I am comfortable staying the night in a well secured home, or taking a few minutes to play with the pet(s) in the middle of the day. I am extremely clean and organized and will strive to leave my clients’ homes in the same shape or cleaner in case there are any accidents, as I am also well-versed in cleaning up after any mishaps from being left alone or too excited.
About: I’ve worked with dogs since an early age. I love and care for them deeply. They are extensions of myself and are the reason I come home everyday. I’m a full time worker but that wont stop me from taking care of your animals needs. I am available most days. I can be flexible. My job is to satisfy the needs of you the customer. I work tirelessly to ensure your pets happiness. This is what matters the most.
The median cost per night for house sitting in Runnells is $48
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
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 - Runnells
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Runnells average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Runnells
Frequently asked questions about Rover
As of October 2026, there are 505 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Runnells. 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 Runnells 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 Runnells 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.
<b>Tip:</b> 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 Runnells 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 Runnells. On Rover:
- 88% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 90% 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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