Puppy boarding

Puppy Boarding FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Rover

Is home boarding more suitable for puppies?

Home boarding can be ideal for puppies because you can choose a sitter whose home is similar to your own and who has few or no other dogs around. This matters especially for puppies under 14 months because, according to researchers at Purdue University's Center for Canine Welfare, puppies in that age range can move through fear periods where new or overwhelming experiences can have a lasting impact. A calm, familiar setting can help reduce those stressors and soften your puppy’s away-from-home experience.

What should I look for when boarding my puppy?

Puppies have very different needs from adult dogs, which makes the criteria for a puppy sitter very different than a dog sitter. Whether it's toilet training or walking on a lead, puppies require more consistency, patience, and reassurance in a new environment. When searching for puppy boarding on Rover, you can look for:

• Puppy-related patience and skills: Find sitters whose profile describes how they approach puppy care and read puppy-related reviews from other pet parents.
• Safe home setup: Ask sitters for photos of their space, specifically fenced gardens and puppy-proofed areas.
• Low traffic environments: Check with the sitter to see what the foot (or paw) traffic is like in their home.
• Consistent schedules: Puppies learn best when they know what to anticipate next.

Bring your puppy's schedule to your Meet & Greet to get more details from your sitter.

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.

What if my puppy has an emergency while I'm away?

While we hope your puppy never gets into an accident, we know that puppies are prone to getting into trouble. If a health concern arises during a stay, we recommend that your sitter contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your dog to the closest vet. We recommend working with your vet clinic to get an authorisation form that outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into your preferred clinic.

Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which covers up to £25,000 in eligible vet care in emergency situations.

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.

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 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.

Can I board my puppy, even if they are not fully vaccinated?

Many boarding sitters can care for puppies, including puppies who have not completed their full vaccination schedule. Each sitter decides which ages, vaccination statuses and care needs they can accommodate based on their experience, resident pets, current bookings and home environment.

If your puppy is still completing their vaccinations, ask your vet what precautions they recommend before boarding. Share this guidance with the sitter and confirm whether your puppy may interact with other dogs or use shared outdoor spaces during the stay.

Puppies may also need more frequent toilet breaks, feeding, supervision and help maintaining their usual sleep and training routines than adult dogs. Complete your puppy’s profile with their age, vaccination status, routine, toilet-training progress and care needs, then confirm that the sitter can follow those arrangements before booking.