Love Your Pet? Make a RoverGram and Help Raise Money for "Veteran" Dogs

2/18/15 - By Anna Fader

When you have kids, it’s inevitable that they will start asking for a dog. They’ll plead and promise they’ll take care of it, but we all know in our hearts that the dog will be ours and that we will end up taking care of and loving it. Our family gave in to the dog plea four years ago and we love our bossy, barky, shaggy beast. The only part we don’t love is having to leave her behind when we go away, whether for work or on a family vacation. But now there's Rover.com.

I originally found out about Rover from a friend who had a great experience and I was looking forward to trying it for myself. Then I learned that, in honor of National Love Your Pet Day (Friday, February 20), Rover is helping pet parents make adorable #RoverGrams and donating $1 for every share to Save-A-Vet, a charity that rescues retired military and law enforcement dogs.

Read on to learn more about the easiest way to find a pet sitter, how to make a funny RoverGram video to help dogs, and get $25 toward your first night of dog sitting with our sponsor Rover.

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Rover.com is a website that connects dog owners with nearby dog sitters. You can find someone to stay with your pet at your home or theirs, for doggy daycare, or dog walking. The thing that makes it unique is the ability to locate individual dog lovers like you who will treat your dog with the same love you would. All the caregivers are reviewed by Rover staff and you can also read reviews left by other clients. It’s like Airbnb for dog sitters.

It can be hard to trust someone else to take care of your pet. Rover is comforting because you can meet the sitters prior to travel; they send photos and text updates during your time away to update you on your dog's stay; and they send a video of the highlights of your dog's stay, called a Rover Reel, upon your return. Cute.

To find a sitter, go on Rover.com or use the mobile app. You can enter your zip code, the dates you need a sitter, and the type of service you are looking for. Eligible sitters will show up on a map. I like that I can find people near me; it makes me feel like I am leaving my pet with a neighbor rather than a complete stranger. That feeling is enhanced by the fact that I can read profiles of the caregivers, as well as client reviews.

You can try Rover for free while helping to raise money for Save-A-Vet, an organization that rescues unadoptable military and law enforcement working dogs when their service is done, and shelters them with disabled veterans in mutual healing and support. Just make a cute RoverGram video and Rover will donate $1 for every #Rovergram share. Plus, use code MommyPoppins25 to get $25 off your first night of dog sitting*! Give a little, get a little, right?

*In order to be eligible for this promotion, the transaction must be booked through Rover.com. Applies to new Rover.com customers only. The $25 coupon value will be applied to your Rover account once redeemed. Limit one per customer. Rover.com will charge no processing fee. Void where prohibited. Your stay is subject to the Rover.com Terms and Conditions. Expires 4/30/15

This post is sponsored by Rover. All opinions are those of the author.