House Sitting Columbia
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 314 pet parents in Columbia have booked house sitting
Columbia, Find top rated house sitting
Prices are estimates per night. Pricing may vary based on your search. A booking fee of 11% and taxes will apply.
“Clara house sat and watch our labradoodle for 5 days and did a fantastic job! Walter was happy and healthy when we arrived home and the house was in excellent condition. Several of our dog-loving neighbors got to know Clara and really liked them. We highly recommend Clara and have absolutely no reservations in hiring them again! :-)”
About: I am an 18 year old USC student. I‘ve owned at least one dog since I can even remember, alongside earning the trust of my friends, family, and neighbors to take care of their own lovely animals whether it’s a dog or cat (I love both!!) I have also dealt with all kinds of food and pet difficulty when it comes to walks! I’d love to care for all of your furry friends!! I’m a USC student with a flexible class schedule, which gives me plenty of time throughout the week for pet care! I’m available most mornings, between classes, in the evenings, and on weekends. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have large portions of the morning and early afternoon available. Tuesdays and Thursdays are busier class days, but I still have breaks throughout the day and evening availability for walks, drop-ins, feeding, and playtime. I’m also already up early several days a week for ROTC, so early-morning visits are no problem for me! I’m happy to work with your pet’s normal routine and will do my best to accommodate specific times. Your pet’s safety and comfort are my top priorities. Since I provide care in your home, I will do my best to keep your pet’s routine and environment as familiar and stress-free as possible. I’ll carefully follow all instructions you provide regarding feeding, walks, medications, crate routines, and any special needs. I understand that trusting someone with both your pet and your home is a big responsibility. I will always be respectful of your space, make sure doors, gates, and crates are properly secured, and keep a close eye on your pet during walks and visits. I’m also happy to provide regular photo and message updates so you can feel comfortable knowing your pet is safe, happy, and well cared for while you’re away.
“Jaquelin was amazing with our dog Bubba. He is 13 years old and not good with new places or big changes in his normal routine. Bringing him to Columbia for the first time was a large adjustment.. Jackie came to our home to watch him while we went to an event. Basically it was love at first sight for Bubba. He absolutely adored her. She took him on four walks, gave him A few treats, and lots of love! I would absolutely recommend Jackie to anyone looking for help with pet care. I trust her completely and will most definitely be calling her again.”
“Delaney is fantastic! She is responsible, communicative, kind and caring. She took the best care of our boys and kept us in the loop with pictures. We are very grateful to have found her. Thanks Delaney!”
About: Have an energetic pup who needs someone who can keep up? I’d love to help! I’ve had my own dog, Dallas, since I was 10, and my family currently has three Boxers, so I’m very comfortable with large, energetic dogs. I love going on walks, playing fetch and tug-of-war, but I’m just as happy to cuddle and relax with your pet. I’ve also regularly pet sat for four families, caring for up to three cats and two large dogs in one home, so I’m experienced with different personalities, routines and needs. I love taking pictures and sending cute updates while you’re away, and I’ll always make sure your pet gets plenty of attention. I’d love the opportunity to meet you and your furry friend! I’m a college student at the University of South Carolina with a flexible schedule! My only set commitments are classes: Monday and Wednesday from 2:20–3:35 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday from 10:05–11:20 AM and 2:50–4:05 PM. Everything else is extracurricular and can be adjusted around pet-care needs. Fridays and weekends are completely open, and I’m generally flexible with scheduling. I’m happy to work with your pet’s routine and find times that work best for both of us! I have a fully fenced in, chain-link backyard where dogs can safely enjoy some outdoor time and play, with supervision. I don’t have a crate, but I’m happy to follow your pet’s normal routine and any instructions you provide about where they’re most comfortable resting. Your pet’s safety and comfort are always my top priorities. I make sure doors and gates stay secure, supervise outdoor time, and keep their environment clean and comfortable. I’ll also send photos and updates so you can feel confident that your pet is happy and well cared for while you’re away!
“What a fabulous experience! Johann was so diligent with the care of my dogs, from feeding, to medicine, to exercise - and always providing timely updates and great photos! For someone with an elderly dog with many special needs, I cannot exaggerate the peace of mind I had knowing he was taking such great care of my dogs!”
“Stephanie was amazing! My oldest dog Bucky is very particular about people and can get stressed easily if his routine changes. Stephanie stayed with my animals for two nights and three days and I have never come home to Bucky being so un stressed out! She made sure to visit two times before her stay so they would get to know her. Watching her talk and interact with them on those visit helped ease the stress I felt about using a Rover for the first time.”
“We couldn’t have asked for a better dog sitter! Champ was so well cared for while we were away, which gave us complete peace of mind. He was fed on schedule, let out regularly, and clearly received lots of love and attention. We really appreciated the updates and knowing he was in such good hands. We came home to a happy, relaxed pup, and it’s obvious he was treated like family. We would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy, caring, and dependable pet sitter. Thank you so much for taking such great care of our boy!”
“Katie was absolutely amazing! She stayed at our house and watched our Golden Retriever for 5 nights while we were on vacation, and he absolutely loved her. It was such a relief knowing he was happy, comfortable in his own home, and being well taken care of while we were away. Katie was trustworthy, caring, and did a great job with him. We came home to a happy dog and everything just as we left it. We would absolutely book Katie again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone they can trust to stay overnight and take great care of their dog!”
“Clare is the best!! She was SO amazing with our 2 pups while we were gone on a long weekend trip. Plenty of photos to know the dogs were doing great! I swear my dogs want us to go out if town now so they can hang out with Clare! 100% will be using Clare the next time we need a sitter.”
About: I have grown up and taken care of dogs all my life! I have always lived with multiple dogs, and have even rescued 2! I love big and small dogs, I have experience with training, walking big dogs (pitbulls, labs, etc.), administering insulin, and dealing with dogs with epilepsy! One of my pups had diabetes, dementia, epilepsy, and anxiety, so I am well prepared for anything of that nature! I often pet sit for neighbors and friends for dogs of all different breeds! I’ve taken care of puppies, to toddlers, to senior dogs! I’m currently a student at USC, and take all my classes in the morning, so I basically have a free schedule after 1pm almost every day of the week! Weekends are more convenient for boarding, but I would still be able to make boarding during the week work as well! I also have gaps in my schedule, so during the week I am able to stop by throughout the morning to take care of your pups! I currently live in an apartment complex, so I do not have a yard for any pups, but I am able to take them outside on walks! We are allowed to have animals here so if need be I could have a dog stay with me, however I do not have any proper supplies for them in my apartment, and would need to be provided with such.
“Sally did a great job taking care of our sweet boy (and our house)! I'm somewhat of a neat freak and she didn't question any of the house rules and the place looked as tidy as it did when we left. Most importantly, we felt comfortable leaving our 10-year old dog with her, especially as we were worried to leave him alone after his brother passed recently. (He's been extra needy.) We highly recommend her and hope to be able to book her again. THANK YOU, Sally!!”
“Bridget watched our pup for a weekend and our pup was content the entire time! We got lots of updates and pictures checking in to let us know how our pup was doing which was great. Our house also looked wonderful upon arriving home too which is a plus! Great sitter!”
About: I have worked at a doggy daycare for the past year and a half in my hometown Aiken where I feed, water and give any special needs to dogs and cats. I also have experience pet sitting at peoples homes. I’m currently a full-time student at the University of South Carolina as a biology major. I have availability after all of my classes which end around noon most days. I am available most weekends and most week weekday evenings for any services and I am able to housesit with pets including stay the night at your home. I will feed your dogs and play with your dogs. Take them for walks or any special medicines your pet may have I will be able to give. if there is any special request, I would be happy to talk to you about it.
The median cost per night for house sitting in Columbia is $40
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Columbia
Leanissa is hands down the best dog sitter! She stayed at my home for 2 weeks to take care of Kingston and did an incredible job. She followed all care instructions, treated my home with immense respect, and went above and beyond to keep everything clean. She is now my top choice for pet sitting, and I can't wait to book her again! Kingston and I are so grateful for her!!
This was my first time using rover or having someone other than family watch my pets, but Katie was amazing. She was extremely responsive during the booking process and answered all my questions. She sent me photos while I was gone and updates through out the day which really I appreciated. She did a fabulous job and I have already rebooked her services. 100% recommend!
Mallory was an excellent sitter for Mimi! Her calm, gentle demeanor was exactly what Mimi needed, especially since she is blind and has seizures. Mallory kept me updated throughout her stay and sent pictures, which I really appreciated. She also left my house exceptionally clean! Most importantly, Mimi absolutely loved her. I would definitely have Mallory back and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a caring, dependable sitter!
Paula G. is not only wonderful with our very active attention-driven dogs but also very attentive to details. She respects our home as she left everything very clean and even laundered her bedding. She gives the dogs individual attention, communicates well with text and photo updates, and is RELIABLE! I highly recommend her and plan to use her again in the future!
Isabella did a wonderful job watching our two cats! She was very communicative and kept us updated throughout our trip, especially about one of our cats who was dealing with an eye issue and had to wear a cone. She was comfortable administering his eyedrops and took great care of both of our cats.
Cody was wonderful! He watched my dogs and cats for three days while I was away on a business trip, and I felt very comfortable knowing they were in good hands. One of my cats needed medication and some extra care while I was gone, and Cody did a great job making sure he received everything he needed. He spent time playing outside with my dogs, was very flexible, and kept in great communication with me throughout the trip. He was also incredibly nice about cleaning up any little messes the animals made while I was away, which I really appreciated. With multiple pets, I know there can be a lot to keep up with, and Cody was dependable, attentive, and easy to work with. I’m so grateful for his help and would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and caring pet sitter!
Drew was absolutely a dream pet sitter. I presented quite the challenge with my 3 senior pups and one very high energy GSP puppy. Drew not only met but far exceeded every expectation. It had been actually years since I had been able to go out of town without constantly worrying about my fur babies and with Drew, that changed. I had not one worry and I absolutely would not hesitate to hire him again and 1000x over recommend to anyone looking for an actual dog lover that is also reliable, consistent, friendly, loving and committed! I couldn't be more grateful to have found him and I will definitely be hiring him again. He went above and beyond and I came home to 4 very happy fur babies and that alone, is priceless. Look no further, Drew is your new pet sitter. ❤️
Syd did a great job taking care of our fur babies while we were out of town. Is he sent lots of pics and updates. I was able to relax and enjoy my time away knowing they were well cared for and in good hands! Would definitely use her again and would recommend.
Chauncey was absolutely amazing! She did an excellent job of communicating and sending us pictures everyday! Our dog has pretty bad separation anxiety so when we got the first picture on the day we left, and saw Teddy actually eating her food!!!…I knew she was in great hands and I didn’t have worry while on vacation! Will definitely be booking her again!
Danielle was an excellent pet sitter. She stayed at my house with my 2 dogs. One of my dogs is a rescue dog and suffers from PTSD and I can’t leave him at a kennel. Danielle was very professional and gave me feedback on how they were doing in my absence. I highly recommend her.
Book with peace of mind
- Screened pet sitters have passed a third-party background check and show verified reviews from other pet parents, like you.
- Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 reimbursement for eligible vet care. Learn more
- 24/7 support from the Rover team–here to help if you ever need someone to talk to.
Why Choose Rover?
Cashless payments
Book and pay through Rover’s secured platform—no cash or checks required.
Reservation protection
It doesn’t happen often, but if your sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total pet fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
How to book house sitting
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer house sitting.
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit.
3. Book & Pay
It's that easy! All payments are processed through Rover's secured platform.
Popular requests for house sitting - Columbia
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Columbia average 3 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Columbia
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of House Sitting in Columbia is $38 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $28 and $61 per night. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of October 2026, there are 629 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Columbia. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Beyond belly rubs and feeding schedules, a house sitter’s presence may provide an additional layer of security for your home. However, you will need to arrange overnight stays and other household tasks with your sitter when reaching out to them. Not all sitters offer the same services. Common household tasks you can negotiate include:
- Mail & deliveries: Collecting letters and packages so they don't pile up.
- Plant care: Keeping your indoor or outdoor garden hydrated.
- Trash & recycling: Taking trash cans to the curb on scheduled pickup days.
- Home security: Sitters can stay overnight to keep your home occupied.
The best way to align on expectations is during your free Meet & Greet. Use this time to provide a "home cheat sheet" that includes your preferred Columbia walking routes, the location of your favorite pet store, and any specific quirks about your home’s security or appliances.
It’s helpful to think of house sitting as a "home base" service. Most sitters in Columbia maintain their normal daily routines, like running errands or heading to the office, meaning your pet should be comfortable being alone for a few hours at a time. If your pet needs a little extra company, here is how to find the perfect match:
- Look for "WFH" sitters: Many sitters mention "Work from Home" on their profile to indicate they’ll be present for the majority of the day.
- Update your pet’s profile: Write down how long your pet can comfortably be left alone. This helps sitters quickly determine if their schedule aligns with your needs.
- Communicate 24/7 needs: Standard house sitting usually doesn't include constant supervision. If your pet requires round-the-clock care, be sure to discuss this upfront.
Tip: Use the Meet & Greet to confirm a sitter's typical "away" windows. Transparency ensures your pet stays happy and your sitter can plan their day effectively!
Key handling is entirely up to you and your sitter to agree on during the Meet & Greet or in the Rover app. Most pet parents in Columbia choose to hand over a spare key or digital fob in person, while others arrange a lockbox or unique access code. Don't forget to discuss key returns as well!
The Rover Guarantee is Rover’s commitment to your peace of mind every time you book. It includes 24/7 customer support, sitter access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals for diagnostic issues, and a reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care in the rare event something goes wrong.
All bookings are backed by the , which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every sitter on Rover is required to pass a background check before listing their services. This process confirms their identity and indicates they are not on the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website or have any disqualifying offenses.
Beyond ID checks, you can review each sitter's star rating, read verified reviews from other pet parents, and see how many repeat clients they have. Every booking is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care. For more details, visit .
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your pet to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your pet is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
A Meet & Greet is a casual meeting to vet potential sitters and communicate care needs for peace of mind before a booking begins. Only sitters who have never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover; however, you are welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you have previously booked. This can be helpful if you have a new pet or routine you want to go over with your sitter.
Meet & Greets can take place in person or virtually. If you are booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your sitter interacts with your pet or the new environment.
During the Meet & Greet, you will have a chance to walk through your pet's routine, medical needs, and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your sitter questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Meet & Greets are a great way to prepare your pet and sitter for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first .
sitters on Rover set their own , which you can find on their profile under their contact information. Sitters may set a same-day, one-, three-, or seven-day cancellation policy. Cancelling within your sitter’s cancellation policy qualifies you for a full refund.
Same-day cancellations for recurring services, which include walks, drop-ins, and day care, follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for pet boarding and house sitting, if you cancel after 12 pm on the applicable cancellation deadline, you’ll receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for any remaining days.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means you will get a full refund and our support team will work with you to find a replacement sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Columbia. On Rover:
- 93% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 95% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 96% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
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