Dog Boarding Watkins
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Watkins, Find top rated dog boarding
Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
“Caitlin was fantastic! She and her family were absolutely welcoming of Apollo and he was more than well taken care of! We will be definitely returning to her when the need arises!”
“Annadel was so sweet and patient. I’ve never used Rover before and she helped me every step of the way. We’ve never used a over night sitter before so my nerves were through the roof. But her constant updates quickly calmed me. Bonnie will definitely be back. Thankyou to you and your family for being so inviting to my baby”
“Amber was great with Luna, I noticed because Luna wasn't nervouse, normally she does. When we got back home she acted a little bit strange but I think is normal. Amber answered at all times when I texted her.”
“Julie is amazing with Speck. She cares for him just like she does her own dog. I am so comfortable leaving Speck with her. She communicates regularly amd we will definitely be back!”
“Thank you, Aratrika and Arjun, for taking great care of Chewie, being willing to do a meet and greet, and sending so many great updates and pictures! Chewie seems happy after his weekend with you :)”
“We cannot say enough good things about Meghan M. She is awesome! Ollie was very excited to see her and settled in quickly after we left!! Meghan is very personable! She sent us pics and a summary of their activities each day we were gone! Can’t wait to use her again!!🩵”
“Ben was kind enough to sit for us on very short notice! Great communication and wonderful service. I could not be more grateful for the kindness to us and our dog Ruby, and I would highly reccommend Ben to others looking for someone to watch their fur babies.”
“Amy was wonderful to work with in watching our English Setter. She kept us posted regularly with how he was doing and he was obviously very comfortable in the pictures she shared! She was very helpful in working with us and making sure of his needs. Can’t say enough about the care Amy showed and we will be in touch with her for any future sitting needs. Thanks so much again Amy!”
About: Hello! I’m Emma! I am a student at ISU. I love all animals and have a cat named Danny. I have worked as a veterinary assistant and have had both cats and dogs my whole life. I am new to Rover and pet sitting, but have more than enough experience with all animals from small critters to farm animals. I am a current student at ISU, so my schedule is fairly flexible. I am also usually around on weekends to stop by for a walk, feeding, or some quick play time. I am comfortable administering medication, feeding, and will love and respect your pet. I have had several animals with health issues whether it be FIV, paralysis, or whatever else and I want to make sure you’re comfortable having a sitter that understands the potential need for extra care!
About: I have taken care of animals for a while and even worked on a farm! All of your friends will be safe and cared for in my home. I am available for boarding pretty much any days of the week and I am perfectly okay with last minute bookings and cancellations if needed! I understand how life can get! I work only 4 min from my job and have flexibility to step in and out. I also have an indoor camera to keep an eye when I am away.
About: I have many pets including dogs and cats. I have potty trained my dog and she knows many basic commands so far. I have also fostered kittens and puppies. I currently work from home, spending the majority of my time at home every day gives me plenty of time to put towards pet care. I have a fenced in yard and my home is pet friendly and puppy and kitten proof. No basement access and the doors and windows are not left open without screen/screen doors. Safety is my number one priority. For drop in visits and walks I will be respectful of your time, privacy, belongings, and of course your pets. They deserve to be taken care of with love and respect at all times. I will always follow your rules and directions and I will provide you with updates as i care for your pets.
“Gilana was an incredible sitter for my dog, Edison! I recently moved into town and it’s always tricky to find someone new to trust with caring for your pet. Gilana was kind, communicative, and clearly made Edison feel right at home. I also felt extra confident that Edison was in good hands knowing she is training in the veterinary field. What really made her stand out is I had a very stressful, last-minute flight change, which left me stuck across the country for an extra day. Gilana was able to extend coverage for Edison. I truly don’t know what I would’ve done without her flexibility and understanding. Thank you, Gilana!”
About: What sets me apart is my real, everyday experience caring for animals. I handle high-energy dogs like my Belgian Malinois, volunteer at shelters, and provide patient, loving, reliable care. Pet care fits naturally into my weekly routine with college. I make time to walk, play with, and care for dogs because I genuinely enjoy being around animals and helping with pet sitting. At a client’s home, I care for pets by following their normal routine for feeding, walks, and playtime to keep them comfortable and stress-free. I give plenty of attention, exercise, and companionship, and make sure they feel safe and cared for while their owner is away.
“Chris was absolutely great! Thomas had an absolute blast! It was so nice to know he was in good hands and that I didn’t need to worry about him while away. Chris was flexible with pick up and drop off and periodically checked in. It was great! Will book again!”
“I knew the moment we met her that we had found our place! My Sam was at home the minute he walked in! Cheyenne is friendly, professional, and very thoughtful! She sent us pictures throughout the day so that we could enjoy seeing our boy have fun!”
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Watkins
Kolton was fantastic! I don’t usually trust Rover and I’m very picky about my dog’s care. After calling around to boarding facilities for a 5-night stay, I couldn’t bear the thought of Penny being stressed in a kennel—so I scoured Rover, found Kolton, and his stellar reviews matched the experience perfectly. He sent thoughtful updates with photos and videos and checked in about Penny’s well-being throughout, so I always knew she was in good hands. He kept her on her routine while giving her a fun, enriching change of pace: playtime, exercise, and sticking to her training. Every request I made was handled carefully and exactly as asked. Penny came home relaxed and happy. Kolton, Scotty, and his wife were the perfect host family. I couldn’t have asked for a more trustworthy, communicative sitter—10/10, will book again.
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.
How to book dog boarding
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer dog boarding.
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 dog boarding - Watkins
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.FAQs for Dog Boarding - Watkins
Frequently asked questions about Rover
Rover is the largest marketplace for local pet care. Whether you're looking for pet sitters, dog walkers, or house sitters who specialize in pet sitting, you can narrow your search by entering your ZIP code to find sitters within walking distance in your neighborhood.
Every sitter on Rover has their own routine. Depending on the arrangements you agree on before the stay, a sitter can follow your dog’s regular feeding schedule, provide a comfortable place to sleep, offer companionship, and support their usual exercise and play needs.
Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, daily exercise may include walks, outdoor play, indoor enrichment activities, or supervised play with compatible dogs. These activities are not automatically included with every booking, so ask the sitter what a typical day looks like.
During the Meet & Greet, discuss your dog’s usual exercise and play routine, whether they can safely interact with other dogs, and any activities or restrictions the sitter should follow. You can also ask the sitter to send photo and message updates during the stay so you can see how your dog is spending their time.
Preparing for drop-off is easy when you have a checklist! To help your dog settle into their Watkins home-away-from-home, packing:
- Health and safety essentials such as their ID tags, vaccination records, medication, and emergency vet or secondary caregiver contacts.
- Food and gear such as harnesses, collars, food (portioned by day), and an item that smells like you.
- Special instructions such as a list of training cues, medical administration needs, or favorite hang-out spots in your Watkins.
<b>Tip:</b> You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
You and your Watkins sitter can schedule drop-off and pick-up in a way that works best for the both of you—and your dog. Most sitters offer flexible times for drop-off and pick-up but the easiest way to confirm those times will be through in-app messaging. Confirm your arrival time the day of pick-up and drop-off can also help keep the process smooth and organized.
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 , 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 .
While each sitter sets their own vaccine requirements, staying up-to-date on your dog’s vaccines is the best way to be "boarding ready". Vaccinations help create a safe environment for all pets under a sitter’s care.
Many sitters in IL ask that dogs be up to date on core vaccines like the Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Rabies.
By discussing your pet's health history early, you’re adding a layer of confidence for you and your sitter before the booking begins.
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 dog to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your dog 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.
Connect anywhere with the Rover app
