Goods and services are becoming more and more tech-driven, no doubt. There is a whole host of gig-based apps, a model where companies provide a platform to facilitate the exchange of goods. AKA, you can get food to your front door and book your trip with the touch of a button. One thinks of app ‘intermediates’ like Uber, Airbnb, Skip the Dishes, and HelloFresh when considering the growing use of on-demand services.

It’s no shock that you can now book sitters for your four-legged friends using mobile phones. Pet sitting apps like Rover are some of the most convenient new additions to the long list of tech-based services.

The idea is that you can take that vacation while making sure someone looks after your furry friend. Considering the platform model’s convenience, it’s no wonder these services have grown in popularity rapidly. Users simply create an account and browse the many pet sitters available near them.

A growing number of Canadians are using pet walking and boarding apps. Many users report reputability, and they return to their sitters time and again. The trick is finding the right person using the right app. It’s a process that may require some trial-and-error. Be prepared to introduce your fur friend to sitters and see if they’re a good fit.

To help you get started, Pep & Pup has compiled a list of the best, most trusted pet sitting apps.

Rover – best overall with the greatest quantity of sitters

Fetch! Pet Care – best sitter quality 

Wag! – best for nervous dog parents

Pawshake – best price for quality

Petsitter – best on a budget

Rover Canada

Whether you’re heading on vacation for the weekend or want your dog to have some company while you’re at work, Rover’s got your back.

It’s the big player in the pet sitting business, so naturally, Rover has the highest quantity of sitters. If you’re looking for a wide variety of potential dog and cat lovers near you, Rover is the way to go. That said, it can be a bit of a double-edged sword: with such a high number of people on the platform, there are likely a few candidates that aren’t up to standards. 

Be sure to read the reviews by other dog and cat parents, but keep in mind that anyone can write on the site (potentially including non-pet-owning friends and family members). For that reason, it is best to meet your sitters beforehand, which allows you to look at their property and confirm that the big, fenced-in yard is as advertised. 

Rover is considered one of the best overall pet sitting platforms by many dog moms and dads. Their easy-to-use app is undoubtedly one of the reasons it’s so popular; Rover allows you to book, cancel, and reschedule quickly. You can filter sitters by area, rate, services provided, and more. 

Rover has left many pets in the hands of capable, loving sitters with millions of services booked globally. 

  • Services include boarding, house sitting, drop-in visits, doggy daycare, and dog walking.
  • Background checks its sitters. 
  • Facilitates meet and greets. 

Fetch! Pet Care

Fetch is one of Rover’s number one competitors, being that their app operates in a similarly easy-to-use way. Their team champions reliability and professionalism in its sitters, a key differentiating factor from its competitors. Sitters are recruited and trained by local and experienced owners; you can trust that Fetch has done its due diligence. 

Like Rover, they provide easy, flexible scheduling and sitters can usually accept a last-minute request. They hope to facilitate a connection between one pet owner and one sitter so pet parents have someone to count on to provide a comfortable environment for their pets. 

Sitters will be sure to note your pet’s temperament and energy levels and provide photos, videos, and personal notes. 

  • Services include puppy sitting, dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care, pet taxi, and pet medical administration.
  • Background checks its sitters and puts applicants through an in-depth interview process.
  • Sitters are required to be insured.
  • Facilitates meet and greets. 

Wag!

Wag offers a variety of different services, including dog trainers. They boast a “one-stop shop for pet care, pet health, and training.” Many Wag users take advantage of drop-in sitters so their pup can enjoy the comfort of their own home. Dog moms and dads can feel confident in their sitter’s service with GPS-tracked walks and customized lockboxes. 

While Wag is a large and well-known pet sitting platform (with over 12 million services completed!), it does not compare to Rover in size. For that reason, users in small towns may have trouble locating sitters in their area. 

That said, some users feel more confident using their GPS-tracking services, so owners know what their pup’s been getting up to.

  • Services include walking, drop-ins, sitting, boarding, and training. 
  • Offers GPS tracking and a 24/7 online licenced vet chat.
  • Screens its caregivers.

Pawshake 

Pawshake connects pet parents with affordable care providers and pet lovers. Each candidate offers slightly different services outlined in their bio – describing services, need-to-know information, and a bit about themselves – thus providing more of a case-to-case experience rather than sitters with more generalized expertise.

Users appreciate the easy-to-use website that shows how far away each sitter is, how many stars they have, how much they charge, and more. 

Pawshake works closely with providers to coordinate national police checks during a vetting process that only accepts 15% of applicants. 

  • Facilitates meet and greets. 
  • Background checks its sitters.
  • Verifies reviews. 

Petsitter.com

Petsitter.com is filled with reputable dog lovers who will walk, board, and even train your pup! Granted, it doesn’t do much to vet applicants beforehand, so owners must be more vigilant when screening potential sitters.

On the plus side, Petsitter.com offers affordable pet care and relatively low rates compared to other companies. That means that users must fill in some of the blanks and do their research while using the site. Start by scanning all the sitters on the site and filter by experience and service – it might take some extra time. They will provide you with bios, locations, and how much experience they have.  

Once you’ve found the right person, contact them to negotiate terms, as they don’t post rates on the site. Be prepared to wait up to 72 hours to coordinate a booking. 

  • Offers service for all types of pets. 

Should you tip?

While tipping isn’t required, it can be a nice, occasional gesture if you have a good experience or if your sitter has to deal with unanticipated problems. Things sometimes happen, especially when it comes to pets. So, when your pup isn’t showing off how well house-trained it is or you’re running a few minutes late for pick up, a tip to show appreciation can make all the difference.

Best Pet-Sitting Platforms: Conclusion

Working, vacationing, and just getting busy shouldn’t stop you from enjoying and caring for a pet. The apps on this list help pet parents manage while keeping their four-legged companions happy.

While Rover is the #1 chosen pet sitting app and by far the largest, with the highest number of sitters and users, there are many options to choose from with niche specialties and a personalized touch. 

It depends on what you’re looking for: if you live in a small town and sitters from smaller companies are difficult to come by, Rover may be the way to go. If leaving your furry best friend with a stranger makes you nervous, Fetch’s vetting process may make you feel more comfortable. Or, maybe relaxing on that weekend getaway will be easier when you can access your pet’s location with Wag’s GPS tracking capabilities. 

Regardless of which pet sitting platform you choose, it’s important to keep in mind that, of course, none of the above apps can guarantee the safety and security of your pet or pet sitters. While every company on this list has excellent reviews, with many smiling faces and wagging tales, there are some exceptions. Users should proceed with caution and take the steps necessary to ensure a smooth pet-sitting experience. 

If you’d like to learn more about pet sitting organizations’ safety, read Pep & Pup’s blog on using Rover Vancouver safely.