At Least Two Dogs Died After Allegedly Being Left With These Two Rover Sitters
San Francisco Bay Area dog guardians are reporting that their holiday travel plans turned tragic after they allegedly booked a sitter through the Rover app. The families report that their dogs suffered medical emergencies, drug exposure, and, in at least two cases, death.
What Happened to the Dogs Reportedly Left With These Rover Sitters?
Felipe Morales-Torres says his dog, Brady, was covered in vomit and urine when he came home from one of the suspected Rover sitters on Christmas Day. After Morales-Torres filed a police report, he says he began to see social media posts and a video on Reddit alleging that dogs died, at least one may have been exposed to methamphetamine, and several others were suffering from injuries, dehydration, parasites, and disease after being left with the same sitter.
Those posts connected Morales-Torres with other dog guardians who believe they booked the same Rover sitters. In the days surrounding Christmas, it is alleged that of the dogs the sitters are said to have agreed to look after:
- More than one became critically ill
- Several required emergency veterinary care
- Some appeared to have been kept confined overnight in a car during a storm
- At least one was exposed to methamphetamine
- At least two died
The dogs whose stories follow—Aku, Zeb, and Alfie—are only three of the several dogs whom the Rover sitter allegedly took in during that period. Their stories raise urgent questions about Rover’s vetting process, oversight, and response when animals may be in danger.
Aku, the Dog Who May Have Been Exposed to Methamphetamine
According to news reports, Aku was one of several dogs placed with one of the sitters during this period. A social media post recounting guardian claims states that on December 23, the sitter brought Aku to a veterinary hospital in a “near comatose state” and the dog allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine.
Although the sitter allegedly claimed Aku’s condition had deteriorated within just two hours, Aku’s guardian says the veterinarian and poison control specialist reportedly determined he had been suffering far longer.
That night, Aku’s guardian says he had three seizures and that despite intensive treatment, his condition did not improve. His family said they had to make the difficult decision to let him go on the morning of Christmas Eve.
Guardians Say They Weren’t Notified After Aku’s Death
Following Aku’s death, guardians say Rover failed to notify the other families whose dogs were reportedly still with the sitter.
Aku’s guardian claims that Rover offered them a $1,000 adoption certificate and then, they say, directed the sitter to “coordinate the termination” of bookings himself. Guardians also say that Rover seemingly allowed the sitter to keep the remaining dogs at least another full day.
Zeb’s Family Rushed Home, But It Was Too Late
Zeb was another of the several—one social media post saying twenty—dogs whose guardian says they left with the same sitter during the holiday period. Zeb’s guardians say they received a message that the sitter had “hurt his leg” and that they needed to come pick up Zeb. Zeb’s guardians say they booked an emergency flight home.
“As our flight was taking off, we got a message on Rover saying our dog had bloody stool and had fainted. We were in the air flying and my heart just sank, and I cried the rest of the flight.” –Zeb’s guardian
Reportedly, before their plane landed, Zeb was dead. His exact cause of death is unknown.
Alfie Was Allegedly Left in a Parked Car During a Storm
Alfie’s guardians say they left their dog with a Rover sitter, now suspected to be the wife of the man who was reportedly the sitter for Aku and Zeb.
Soon after leaving for their trip, Alfie’s guardians say they became concerned because they had not received many updates from the sitter, despite asking repeatedly. They claim that when the sitter finally sent photos, the images were only close-ups of Alfie’s face, never his surroundings.
On December 24, the same day Aku reportedly died, Alfie’s guardian says he received a call from the dog sitter, claiming that she had broken her leg and could no longer watch Alfie.
Unable to fly home immediately, Alfie’s guardians said they arranged for a new sitter to retrieve him. According to the new sitter, Alfie was muddy, shaken, and smelled so strongly of urine that she gagged.
Later, Alfie’s guardian came across the aforementioned video circulating online, appearing to show at least 5 dogs trapped in a parked car in heavy rainfall, surrounded by vomit and other bodily fluids.
That’s when they realized that it looked like Alfie was one of the dogs in the car.
Dog Guardians Still Have Questions
Rover advertises that its sitters are “thoroughly reviewed,” but these cases appear to suggest serious gaps in oversight and accountability. According to guardian accounts and available records, Rover allegedly:
- Allowed the sitters to take in far more dogs than they could safely care for
- Did not take immediate action after the first dog’s death
- Failed to promptly notify the other guardians whose dogs were still at risk
While no online platform or other means of finding a sitter can guarantee an animal’s safety, companies like Rover that profit from caregiving services have a responsibility to act swiftly and transparently when animals may be in danger.
How to Find a Reputable Dog or Sitter, Whether You Use an App or Not
The safest option is to take your companions with you and plan your trip around their comfort and safety. (If flying, NEVER put them in cargo hold, and book animal-friendly hotels). If you truly can’t bring them, the next best option is to rely on trusted friends, family members, or sitters recommended by people you know personally to oversee your dog in the safety and comfort of your own home, and to install a camera that you can watch remotely.
- Interview sitters well ahead of travel to introduce them to your dog if they are not already known
- Ask for multiple references (both past clients and a veterinarian, if they have their own animal companions)
- Meet sitters in person and insist on seeing their residence if your animal is staying there
- Use indoor and outdoor security cameras and alert the sitter to their presence
- Make sure your animal companion’s microchip is registered and up to date
- Consider a GPS tracking device that clips directly to your animal’s buckle collar and pings their location in case of an emergency
If something happens to your beloved companion while someone from an app like Rover is watching them, raise hell right away. Alert law enforcement, local and national news sites, and don’t give up!
