Dog walking near you

Dog Walking FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Rover

What are the best dog walking options?

The best dog walk is the one your dog looks forward to. Whether that's a casual stroll around the local area or an urban adventure full of sniffing and exploration, Rover offers flexible dog walking options to suit your dog's energy level and your schedule:

30-minute walks – great for quick poo breaks and mid-day exercise

60-minute walks – ideal for high-energy dogs or longer adventures

Read through dog walker profiles to match their experience with your dog's personality and needs. You can also fill out your pet's profile with details to help your walker get to know your dog better.

For peace of mind, we recommend scheduling a meet & greet before booking. Meet & greets are a great opportunity to go over walking equipment, preferred routes, ideal pace and training cues to help keep your dog safe and happy.

Who provides recurring dog walking subscriptions?

When searching for dog walkers on Rover, select 'Repeat Weekly' and the days when you'd like your walks to take place. This will show dog walkers who offer recurring walks that fit in with your schedule. While Rover doesn't offer traditional subscription services, recurring walks come with their own perks, such as the flexibility to modify upcoming services (up to five weeks in advance), same-day cancellation and automatic billing. Dog walkers who provide recurring services must send a report card, also called a Rover Card, before they receive payment for walking.

Which dog walking services offer GPS tracking?

Rover doesn't offer live GPS tracking for dog walks, but you can request your dog walker to send a report card with a map of your dog's walk. These report cards, also called Rover Cards, are automatically required for recurring walk services. Each report card includes a map of the walking route, total walking time and distance travelled. You can also request fun photo and text updates with the report card so you can see how your dog's walk went.

How does payment work and when am I charged?

Payment is handled securely through Rover. For a one-time booking, your payment method is charged at the time of checkout when you submit your booking request. This charge will include fees payable to Rover. Your booking is confirmed once the walker accepts it.

If the request is not accepted, the pending charge is released in 1-7 days. How long it takes to disappear from your account depends on your payment provider.

For eligible recurring weekly services, you are charged for the first week when you book and then each Monday for the upcoming week. You’ll see the full price before you confirm. Always pay through Rover so your booking remains eligible for the Rover Guarantee and support.

How are sitters on Rover verified?

Every walker must complete an identity verification process before listing their services on Rover. This process checks that the sitter’s identity matches their provided documents.

Identity verification doesn't assess a sitter’s experience or suitability for your pet. To see if a sitter is the right fit, you can review each sitter's profile for ratings, verified reviews, repeat pet owner information and care style. We also recommend arranging a Meet & Greet to discuss your pet’s needs and make sure the walker is the right fit before booking.

For more details, visit our Trust & Safety page.

What is the Rover Guarantee and what does it cover?

The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes dedicated customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement programme 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.

What is a Meet & Greet?

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've never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover, but you're welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you've 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're booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your walker interacts with your pet or the new environment.

During the Meet & Greet, you'll have a chance to go through your pet's routine, medical needs and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your walker questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. A Meet & Greet is a great way to prepare your pet and walker for longer or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first Meet & Greet.

What happens in an emergency or if a walker cancels?

Emergency support is available by phone or email in English, French, German, and Spanish from Mon-Sat 9am to 6pm. When an incident occurs, we recommend that sitters contact our Trust & Safety team immediately so that they can connect your sitter with a qualified vet or offer other resources to help.

If a sitter needs to cancel at the last minute, Rover’s booking protection means Rover Support will work with you to find a suitable replacement as quickly as possible.