Independent pet sitting guide · Updated August 10, 2026
A Rover alternative for the clients you find yourself.
Rover is useful when you need marketplace discovery and its platform services. DirectPaw fits a different job: turning a client relationship you already earned into a clear, paid booking under your own business name.
Is the pain point real?
Yes—once a sitter has direct demand. Not before.
Rover currently publishes a 20% service fee for pet care providers, while noting that some U.S. providers may be in a different-fee pilot. That recurring cut creates an obvious economic reason to own direct relationships.
But software cannot replace discovery, trust programs, or support that a marketplace provides. The best-fit DirectPaw user already gets clients from referrals, local reputation, an existing website, or another permitted channel.
Source: Rover Help Center, “What are the service fees?”
Choose the tool by the job
Marketplace discovery and direct booking software are not the same product.
| Need | Rover marketplace | DirectPaw hosted software |
|---|---|---|
| Find new clients | Yes—marketplace search and profiles | No—you bring every client |
| Sitter software fee | Published standard: 20% per booking; pilots may differ | 5% per hosted booking, capped at $15; Stripe processing is separate |
| Monthly subscription | $0 | $0 |
| Booking identity | Rover marketplace booking | Your sitter business leads the booking |
| Care guarantee, screening, or emergency support | See Rover's current program terms | Not provided |
This is a product-fit comparison, not a claim that the services are equivalent. Fee policies and platform programs can change; verify current terms before making a decision.
A safer path to independence
Build a direct business without treating clients like data to extract.
- 01
Separate marketplace clients from your own leads
Use DirectPaw only for relationships you sourced independently or are otherwise permitted to book directly. Keep marketplace-originated bookings where the applicable agreement requires them to stay.
- 02
Set up the business basics
Choose your services, rates, cancellation terms, service area, insurance, and any registrations required where you operate. DirectPaw provides software, not legal, tax, or care coverage.
- 03
Put every booking in writing
Create a one-time booking with a service, dates, pet, total price, service details, and cancellation terms so the client knows what they are accepting.
- 04
Collect payment through your own Stripe account
The client pays from a mobile browser. Stripe handles card details and routes the sitter's proceeds to the connected account after applicable fees.
Common questions
What sitters should know before switching tools.
Can I move a Rover client to DirectPaw?
Only when you are contractually permitted to transact with that person directly. Rover says payment and communication through Rover are required for relationships covered by its terms and warns that outside payment can lead to suspension. DirectPaw is designed for independently sourced or otherwise permitted clients, not fee bypass.
Will DirectPaw find pet sitting clients for me?
No. DirectPaw is booking and payment software, not a marketplace or lead-generation service. It is most valuable after you have repeat, referral, neighborhood, or website-generated demand.
Is DirectPaw free pet sitting software?
There is no monthly subscription or separate client fee. The hosted service charges 5% per booking, capped at $15, and Stripe processing fees also apply. The repository is being prepared for a public open-source release, but it is not open source until the code is public under an approved license.
Does DirectPaw provide insurance or a care guarantee?
No. DirectPaw provides software only. Independent sitters provide and remain responsible for pet care, business licensing, insurance, taxes, and service disputes.
Platform-payment source: Rover Help Center, “What if a client wants to pay me directly?”
Already have a client of your own?