Pets make the best travel companions, but they can’t go everywhere humans can. So, these pet-sitting apps really come in handy for RVers…
Did you know that there are approximately 70 million dog owners in America? When looking around campgrounds, it’s fair to say many of them are also RV owners! Jennifer and me included!
When we started living the RV lifestyle over a decade ago, we brought along our 70-pound Norwegian Elkhound, Tai. We brought aboard another big ol’ Elkhound named Bo when Tai passed on.
Clearly, we love traveling with a dog, even though it presents challenges at times. One of those challenges is what to do with our dog when we go somewhere he can’t.
If it’s a quick trip somewhere, we make it safe to leave him in our RV. But, in other cases, we need to call in backup. That’s where the following pet-sitting apps come in. But first, let’s quickly discuss the different “sitting” options.
(By the way, the following apps aren’t just for dogs! Some are for cats, birds, and more!)
Types of Pet-Sitting Services
There are several types of pet-sitting services these days. In the past, you had to take your pet to a kennel or boarding house or ask the teen down the street to stop by your house. Now, you can choose between drop-offs and house calls (or, in our case, RV calls).
Pet-Sitting Options include:
Boarding
House Sitting (“round-the-clock” care)
Drop-In Visits
Doggy Day Care
Dog Walking
Many of these services target dogs yet still accommodate cats and other pets. There’s even one app on our list that caters specifically to cats.
We have not tried each of these, so if you want more information, you can ask in our Facebook Group and see if anyone has direct experience to share.
Top 7 Pet Sitting Apps for RVers
The following is a list of the top 7 pet sitting apps for RVers. I’ve even included a virtual option that allows you to monitor your pet wherever you are.
Speaking of traveling with pets, you might like to check out 10 Best Pet Accessories for Camping with Your Dog or 10 Purrfect Cat Travel Accessories for your RV Lifestyle. We also have an entire Amazon Shopping List for RVing Pets.
1. Rover
Rover is a website and app that connects dog and cat owners to independent pet sitters. You can find someone in your area that will care for your pet in your RV. You can also arrange for your pet to visit their home if you are comfortable with that.
The website also provides dog sitter reviews and a calendar showing their availability. Another great thing about Rover is that services offered and pet sitting rates are listed upfront.
In addition, Rover provides a guarantee that reimburses you for any vet bills incurred by injuries your pet receives while in a pet sitter’s care. It is reimbursable up to $25,000 per incident. You can also be reimbursed for property damage or various third-party injuries up to $1,000,000 per incident. There is a $250 deductible that applies.
2. Wag!
Wag! is also another tremendous pet-sitting app to consider. The company is known for its dog-walking services but also offers other services (including for cats), like overnight and drop-in care.
Wag even has dog training services available to you. When traveling with your pet, you may find behaviors you had not previously seen. Let Wag help you train your pooch while you are out!
They also offer pet insurance plans if you’re interested.
3. Care
You may have heard of Care.com for its senior and child care services. But did you know that Care also offers pet-sitting services?
Care.com offers dog walking, training, pet sitting, grooming, training, and boarding services.
If interested, go to the website or app and sign up for an account. Then create a job that you need to be covered, such as a one-night pet-sitting service. Soon, potential caregivers will contact you to fill that job.
The downside is that they guarantee contact within three days after making your request. If you need last-minute service, this app may not work well for your needs.
4. Meowtel
I mentioned mainly dogs in this post because more people travel with dogs than cats. But I do not want to leave out all of you cat lovers!
There is an excellent resource for cat owners called Meowtel.com. You can find a trusted cat sitter based on your location. They specialize in cat care, making it the best option for your feline friend!
5. Fetch! Pet Care
Fetch is another pet-sitting website for you to try. It is different from Wag or Rover in that it matches a pet sitter for you based on your needs. Instead of hand-picking a sitter, a highly-qualified sitter is chosen depending on your needs and who is available in your area.
All of their sitters are background checked for any criminal behavior. You will receive updates from your sitter by email, text, or phone throughout the pet-sitting session. You might want to note that their insurance is minimal and does not offer the same coverage you can find on Rover.com.
This is an excellent site for hands-off people who trust someone else matching their pets. If you are uncomfortable with that, then Fetch is not your app.
6. PetSitter
Petsitter is an organization that can help connect pet owners to members of its organization that offer pet-sitting services. All you have to do is enter your zip code, and a list of the services in your area will pop up. You can read the description to see if any fit.
If you find someone or something you like, you book using the person’s details. You do not book any service through the PetSitter website.
7. Furbo Dog Camera
There are several dog cameras that can connect you with your pet when you’re away. We personally like the Furbo dog camera because it has 2-way audio. Plus, it pops out treats!
As an added bonus for RVers, it has a Barking Alert feature that lets you know when you’re dog is barking. The camera helps you figure out what’s going on and allows you to talk them down through the app.
This is ideal for campers following proper campground etiquette who don’t want their dog to disturb their campground neighbors.
BONUS: Waggle RV Pet Monitor
Waggle is a pet monitoring device that can be remotely accessed. This product is a safety monitor, not a visual monitor.
It monitors your RV’s temperature and humidity and alerts you about any potentially unsafe conditions for your pet in your RV. It also alerts you if your RV loses power!
It works via a built-in Verizon 4G cellular data and requires a subscription. Note that even though it uses Verizon, you don’t have to have a Verizon account. That’s just the separate, internal service it uses to send alerts to your app.
Waggle is easy to use. All you do is peel and stick it to the wall of your RV. Then install the Waggle app on your phone to start receiving alerts and updates. There are two versions Waggle Lite and Waggle Pro – check them both out here.
Check Out This Virtual Fence!
Like what you see in these videos? We’d appreciate it if you would Subscribe to our YouTube Channel (easy to do right here) and consider “ringing the bell icon” to be notified of any new video from us. 🙂 Thanks!
We wanted our dog Bo to have the freedom to roam our properties without having to build expensive fencing… and our solution was the SpotOn GPS Fence & Collar. This virtual fence line is easy to setup, offers a no-shock solution, and gives Bo space to roam without any need for physical barriers. You can learn more about the system here: https://RVlifestyle.com/spoton
Looking for a way to keep your dog on your property without using a physical fence? Check out SpotOn GPS Dog Fence™
SpotOn works almost anywhere — but you need a lot that’s at least ½ acre
Why? Because you’ll need to allow for the fence alert/warning zone. The effective boundary for your dog is 10 feet inside the fence boundary that you walk. Walk your planned boundary with SpotOn’s dog collar and your phone or draw your fence in the app. Truly, watching this video will show you how cool this technology is! True Location™ technology builds on conventional GPS and makes it better, giving you the most reliable fence boundary that never requires calibration. So your dog can have a great adventure without risking a great escape. Get professionally-developed training programs that’ll have your dog using SpotOn in a few simple steps!
Get the Home Study Course today and worry about the road, not the repairs!
Every time you move your RV it’s like driving through a hurricane during an earthquake. Parts break and many items need to be maintained, this program will show you how you can save time and money by gaining the confidence to take on the majority of the issues you’ll come across. Don’t get caught with your RV in the shop! Learn how you can maintain and repair your RV at your own pace and at the most convenient time for you! This course is produced by the National RV Training Academy.
