Dog Boarding Facility or In Home Sitter? Rover, Care.com and Boarding Compared for the Holidays in Miami
A boarding facility gives your dog a whole trained team, a set daily routine and supervised play, while an in home sitter from an app like Rover or Care.com gives one on one attention from a single person whose home, experience and schedule you have to vet yourself. Neither is right for every dog. Social dogs usually thrive in a good facility; dogs who don't enjoy other dogs may be happier with a sitter. Here's how to decide before the holidays.
The call we get every holiday season
It happens every year, usually days or even hours before a trip: a pawrent calls us in a panic because their sitter cancelled. Sometimes it's a sitter they've used for years; sometimes it's someone they just booked who never showed up. It's the hardest position to be in, because when you're desperate you take whatever is available, and that isn't always a place where your dog will be safe and happy. After more than 10 years caring for Miami dogs, our advice is simple: decide early, and book with someone you can count on not to fall through.
Facility or sitter: the quick comparison
| Boarding facility | In home sitter (Rover, Care.com and similar) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who cares for your dog | A team of trained caregivers | One independent person |
| Where your dog stays | A space built for dogs, with play areas and their own sleeping suite | Your home or the sitter's home |
| Daily routine | Set schedule of play, meals, rest and potty breaks | Depends on the sitter's own day |
| Other dogs | Every guest meets the same vaccine requirements | Depends on who else the sitter is caring for |
| Backup if someone gets sick | Other team members step in | Ask the sitter what their plan is |
| Best for | Social dogs, plus seniors and puppies who do well in small, extra supervised groups | Dogs who don't enjoy other dogs or truly need a home setting |
The case for an in home sitter
Sitter apps have made it easy to find someone nearby, and for some dogs that's the right call. A sitter can give your dog one on one attention, keep them in a familiar home, and work around a routine that's hard to replicate anywhere else. If your dog simply doesn't enjoy being around other dogs, or truly needs to stay in a home setting, a great sitter can be the kinder choice.
The trade off is that you're hiring an individual, not a business. The platforms say this plainly. Care.com states that it "does not employ any caregiver" and tells families, "You need to do your own diligence." Rover says it runs background checks on its sitters and offers the Rover Guarantee for eligible vet care. Both are helpful, but neither tells you how a specific sitter supervises dogs, what their home is like, who else will be there, or what happens if they get sick on Christmas Eve. That part of the vetting is on you.
The case for a boarding facility
At a facility, your dog's care doesn't depend on one person's calendar. At Fit & Go Pets, our #DOGOBSESSED team works from a set routine: morning potty break and outdoor play, a snack and a two hour indoor nap at midday, more play and water time in our dog pools in the afternoon, then dinner and bedtime in their own private sleeping suite. Most of the day is spent in open, supervised groups with dogs who have all met the same Rabies, Bordetella and Distemper requirements. You get daily personalized photos and videos, so you're never wondering how they're doing.
No new dog is ever dropped into the pack. Confident, playful dogs start with a small group of calmer dogs. Shy dogs first get time in an open space to sniff around and watch the others play, then meet one or two dogs, then a small group, at their own pace. Seniors, puppies and dogs recovering from surgery or managing conditions like diabetes play in smaller groups, spend more time in our indoor play areas and get extra supervision.
A facility isn't for every dog, and we'll tell you honestly if ours isn't the right fit. Group play is at the heart of our day, so we don't accept dogs with significant behavioral issues. Every new guest starts with a free Meet & Greet and ideally a daycare day before their first overnight, so we can learn their personality first.
Why the holidays change the math
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's are when everyone travels at once, including many sitters. If you go the sitter route, book early and ask what happens if your sitter cancels. If you choose a facility, book early too: holiday suites fill up, and booking ahead leaves time for the Meet & Greet and a trial day. Our holiday boarding guide has our 2026 holiday schedule.
Questions to ask either way
- Who exactly will be with my dog, and what training do they have?
- How many other dogs will be there, and are they vaccinated?
- How much of the day is play, and how much is rest?
- Where will my dog sleep?
- What happens in an emergency, and which vet do you use?
- What's the backup plan if someone gets sick or cancels?
- How often will I get photos or updates?
Frequently asked questions
Is a dog boarding facility better than a Rover sitter?
It depends on your dog. Social dogs often do best with the structure, supervision and play of a good facility, and many seniors do well with us in smaller, quieter groups. Dogs who don't enjoy other dogs may be happier with a carefully vetted sitter.
Are Rover and Care.com sitters background checked?
Rover says it runs background checks on its sitters, and Care.com says individual caregivers start with a background check. Care.com also notes that background checks can't guarantee safety and that families should do their own diligence.
Is boarding cheaper than a sitter in Miami?
Sitter rates vary person to person. Boarding at Fit & Go Pets runs $55 to $95 a night depending on your dog's size and stay length, with care from a full team included. See our pricing page for current rates.
Can you pick up my dog so I don't have to drive?
Yes. Door to door transportation is an add on to every service, Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. On holidays, contact our team for availability.
See our boarding suites or book your free Meet & Greet to reserve your dog's holiday stay before we fill up.
About Fit & Go Pets
Founded in 2015 by a Miami mom and daughter, Fit & Go Pets is a concierge pet care service in East Allapattah, minutes from Wynwood, Brickell, Edgewater and Miami Beach. Our #DOGOBSESSED team has cared for more than 3,600 dogs through boarding, daycare, grooming, training, enrichment, wellness and door to door transportation, all at Abuela's House, where every dog is known by name. Voted Miami New Times Best Doggie Daycare (2023), a Miami Herald Best Pet Daycare and Boarding Favorite (2023) and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave (2022 and 2024).
By the Fit & Go Pets team. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Care.com pet care and Rover Help Center, "What does Rover do to support safety?", reviewed October 2026.
