Jim Stanford, director of the Vancouver-based research institute Center for Future Work, says that while gig-based services are popular and accessible, they present concerns that need to be addressed. “There’s no government regulation, there’s no oversight, there’s no accountability. So I wouldn’t trust these apps as far as I could throw them,” Stanford said in an interview. Jennifer Lind of Edmonton recently had what she calls a “nightmare” experience with Rover. Lind told CBC News she hired a dog in Rover for a weekend getaway last month. She had no qualms about the sitter staying home and taking care of her five-year-old German shepherd, Dagger. “She had really good reviews and she had her own dogs, so I said, ‘OK, I’ll cast her, I’ll hire her,’” Lind said. He said the sitter agreed to stay at her house for two nights, but her home security camera never captured images of her sitting inside the house. Although the camera angle does not capture the entire house or entryway, Lind believes the sitter did not appear. “I looked [at the camera footage] a few times on Saturday and I noticed he was never around. So I texted her Saturday night, “Are you at my house?” “And he’s like, ‘No, I’m having a movie night with my husband.’ Lind said residents usually send their clients pictures of their dogs, but she was not sent pictures of Dagger. Lind decided to contact Rover to report the owner. “I got a refund for the weekend pass,” he said. “I’m not really worried about the money, I’m more worried about the neglect my dog has had and the possible abuse.”
The dog had a bladder infection
Lind said that when she returned home from her escape, she found a towel soaked in urine, her bathroom in ruins and Dagger with a bladder infection. “The towel rail was ripped out of the drywall,” he said. “There were scratches on the wall from my dog. “It was obviously trying to get out. The faucet got chewed up too. So I have no idea how long it’s been locked in there, but long enough.” She said her dog probably chewed the faucet in an attempt to get water. The dog has since recovered from the bladder infection, Lind said. Lind said her German shepherd, Dagger, chewed on that bathroom faucet while the dog was supposed to be taking care of a sitter hired through Rover. (Submitted by Jennifer Lind) The CBC asked Rover for comment on Lind’s experience. “We care deeply about the well-being of parents and pets in our community and are disappointed that Ms. Lind and Dagger had a negative experience on our platform,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “We take every complaint very seriously and our 24/7 Trust and Safety team launched a thorough investigation as soon as we became aware of these concerns. “Our team worked diligently with both Ms. Lind and the professor to investigate these allegations and review the evidence provided, and Ms. Lind has received a full refund.” Rover said pet safety is a top priority. Holders must pass a criminal background check. “They must also pass a security quiz and have their profile reviewed by a member of our team before listing their services on the Rover platform.” Stanford said Lind’s story shows what can happen when people do business with strangers through gig-based companies. “I think it’s extremely dangerous for both the customer and the employee,” he said. “The customer doesn’t know who that worker is. They’re trusting them with their pet. They’re also in many cases trusting them with access to their home, which creates a whole host of risks and concerns. “The worker, too, when he goes up and knocks on someone’s door, he doesn’t know if it’s really a pet owner or if it’s someone who’s going to grab it and drag it into the house for some kind of attack. “And that’s why even something as seemingly innocuous as caring for a dog actually has serious consequences and should be treated like a serious business. “There are no checks and balances, and in fact, the growth of the gig economy has happened with very little oversight.” Stanford said he would like to see legislative changes to regulate the gig economy and close loopholes. It also urges Canadians to be more cautious and find alternatives to buying services from strangers. “People would be better off trying to find a kid in their neighborhood they actually know to watch their dog, rather than trusting a complete stranger hired through an app,” he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the caretaker still appeared to be active on Rover’s website. Lind said she hopes Rover will remove the owner from the site. She urges other pet owners to be more aware of who they hire. “I just don’t want people to have the same experience I had. I love my dog so much. I’m just sharing my story so people know my experience and maybe they can find alternative dogs.”
