Rover is a pet-care marketplace that connects pet parents with local pet-care providers. Pet parents can use Rover to find and book a variety of services for their dogs and cats, including dog walking, drop-in visits, house sitting, boarding, doggy day care, dog training, and in select markets, grooming services.
The platform is designed to make it easier for pet parents to find care that fits their pets’ individual needs while giving pet-care providers a way to build and maintain their own businesses.
For independent grooming professionals, Rover can provide another way to introduce your grooming services to pet parents. Your profile can help potential clients learn about your experience, services, and availability. If you become an approved provider, you may schedule clients through the Rover platform, but you remain an independent business, responsible for your own business decisions and services.
What Makes Rover a Valuable Opportunity for Pet-Care Professionals?
Learning to groom is one part of building a grooming career. Finding clients and developing a sustainable business is another.
Rover’s marketplace provides a way for eligible groomers to create a profile and connect with pet parents looking for services. Your profile gives potential clients an opportunity to learn about your experience and decide whether your services are a good fit for their pets.
- Connect With Pet Parents – Rover helps pet parents search for local pet-care professionals. An established profile can give prospective clients an easy way to discover your services and learn more about the person who will be caring for their pet.
- Showcase Your Experience – Your professional background matters. Profiles allow providers to share information about their experience, services, photos, testimonials, and other details that help prospective clients understand what you offer. For a groomer, your portfolio can be particularly important because pet parents want to see the quality and style of your work before choosing a professional.
- Build Your Own Business – Providers who use Rover are independent. You are building your own small business while using Rover as a platform to connect with pet parents. This can make Rover a useful tool for someone who wants to build an independent pet-care business rather than work as an employee at a traditional grooming salon.
- Create a Flexible Schedule – Independent pet-care work can offer flexibility that may appeal to people who want more control over when and how they work. Your actual schedule, services, rates, and availability are determined by your business.
What Are the Requirements to Offer Grooming on Rover?
If you’re specifically interested in offering grooming services through Rover, it’s important to understand how Paragon certification helps you meet the platform’s requirements..
Rover currently requires professional groomers to meet specific requirements before providing grooming services. These include:
- Professional grooming experience – for Pet Groomers:
– At least six months of paid professional experience grooming other people’s pets. Rover accepts Paragon’s Level 2 Pet Groomer, Pro Level Advanced Stylist, or Pro Level Breed Stylist certifications as meeting this part of the eligibility requirement. - Portfolio:
At least one set of before-and-after photos demonstrating your grooming work. - Grooming equipment:
You must have your own grooming equipment. - Testimonial:
At least one testimonial from a client or mentor. - Safety quiz:
You must pass Rover’s grooming safety quiz. - Background check:
You must complete Rover’s required background check.
Paragon education gives you eligibility to offer Grooming on Rover, but you will also need to meet the other requirements as well.
NOTE: To offer Bathing Services on Rover, Level 1 Groom Tech meets the 3-month experience requirement.
Where Is Grooming on Rover Available?
Rover’s grooming program is currently being introduced as a standalone service in select markets. Availability can change as Rover expands the program. If you are interested in offering grooming services outside these areas, be sure to submit the interest form so that Rover can contact you as soon as grooming services are available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Do I have to already be a sitter on Rover to become a groomer on Rover?
No. Rover’s current grooming application process allows people who are new to Rover to sign up and create a profile. Existing sitters on Rover can also add grooming if they meet the applicable requirements.
• Does completing Paragon make me automatically eligible to groom on Rover?
No. Certain Paragon certifications satisfy Rover’s professional grooming experience requirements. Groomers must also meet Rover’s other eligibility requirements, including portfolio, equipment, testimonial, background check and grooming safety quiz requirements.
• Do I become a Rover employee?
No. You are operating your own business and are not a Rover employee.
• Can I choose my own schedule?
As independent pet-care businesses, providers set their availability and services. Your actual schedule and the services you offer are up to you.
• Can I use Rover for more than grooming?
Providers on Rover offer a variety of pet-care services, including walking, drop-in visits, house sitting, boarding, doggy day care, dog training, and grooming. The services available to an individual provider can depend on eligibility, location, and Rover’s current offerings.
• Where can I offer grooming through Rover?
Standalone grooming is currently being piloted in select cities. Click on the link below to see if it’s offered in your area and to join the waitlist for notifications.
Take the Next Step!
Rover + Paragon: Education to build the skills. A platform to build your business.