Doggy day care near you

Doggy Day Care FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Rover

How do I know if day care is right for my dog?

Day care may be a good option if your dog enjoys companionship, activity, and spending time away from home. Depending on the sitter and care you arrange, day care with a sitter may include supervision, exercise, play, mental stimulation, and opportunities to socialise.

When deciding whether day care is right for your dog, consider:

• How comfortable they are in unfamiliar homes
• Whether they enjoy being around new people
• How they respond to other dogs
• Whether they can relax and rest in a different environment
• How much exercise, play and supervision they need during the day
• Whether changes to their normal routine cause stress

Sitters on Rover may offer day care options for dogs with a range of needs and preferences. Shy or anxious dogs may prefer day care focused on one-to-one human attention. Senior dogs who need more attention may enjoy smaller play groups that some sitters offer.

Will my sitters send photos and updates while they care for my pet?

If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poo breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available for dedicated customer support by email or chat if you have concerns.

The personalised, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.

Can I book half-day day care instead of a full day?

Half-day or shorter day care may be available depending on the individual sitter. Contact a sitter before booking to ask whether they can accommodate a shorter booking. If they can, confirm the drop-off and collection times, what care is included, and the total price. Availability and pricing aren't always listed for half-day day care and may vary from the listed price.

How are sitters on Rover verified?

Every sitter 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 sitter is the right fit before booking.

For more details, visit our Trust & Safety page.

How do I book doggy day care?

Once you've found a sitter whose experience and reviews match your dog's needs, select 'Contact' to set up a meet and greet or trial day. After your meet and greet, you or your sitter can confirm the booking directly via Rover. If you're deciding who to book day care with, look for markers of trust—, such as identity verification, repeat pet owners, high ratings or Star Sitter status.

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 sitter 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 sitter 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 sitter for longer or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first Meet & Greet.

What happens in an emergency or if a sitter 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.

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.