Dog Boarding Novato
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 629 pet parents in Novato have booked dog boarding
Novato, Find top rated dog boarding
Prices are estimates per night for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“We had a great experience with Dustin, and his dog Leo. He was able to accommodate a last minute trip, drop off and pick up was super easy, tons of videos and pictures. The dog got along great. Would recommend for dog boarding”
“Lillie and her family were so kind and welcoming to my pup. She sent lots of pics while we were away and was very communicative around how he was doing. She seemed genuinely affectionate with him too so I know he was not short on receiving love. Super thankful for her care ❤️”
“Hsiaolei provided Lulu the absolute best attention and care. They were extremely attentive to her needs, taking her on loads of hikes because she is an energetic dog. The photos she sent us during our time away showed Lulu visibly smiling, whether on her pad by the fire or out on a walk. I highly recommend Hsiaolei!”
“Nancy was amazing with our 1 year old high energy chocolate lab. She had her under voice control and took excellent care of her. Daily walks, throwing ball, making her homemade cooked food when she had separation anxiety!! She sent daily updates and pictures which I really appreciate and gave me a sense of ease while apart from her. I will definitely book with Nancy again!”
About: I’ve cared for dogs in a wide range of situations, including senior dogs, special-needs pups, and dogs recovering from injuries. Most dogs love nature, and it's exciting to see them perk up on walks at the sound of chirping birds, rustling brush, or a skittering lizard. There are great dog-friendly nature paths in Novato and San Rafael that give the pups both sniffing and social opportunities, so they come home tired and content. What I’m especially good at is communication. I pay close attention to a dog’s eyes, ears, posture, and energy, because they tell you so much before they ever make a sound. I use a gentle “dog voice” (yes, the sweet baby-talk voice) and clear, steady cues, because many dogs respond quickly to warmth, tone, and consistency. Even anxious or shy dogs usually soften when they realize they’re being understood. I’ve also cared for large dogs, and my Labrador retriever loves having big buddies to play with. No matter the size, age, or temperament, I’m respectful of each dog’s individual needs, and I make sure they feel safe, seen, and truly cared for with plenty of affection, attention, patience, and exercise. I currently work from home, and I have a (mostly) flexible schedule. I like to get out with my dog two times a day for 2+ mile walks on local trails and parks. I respect people's spaces, and I am good at following detailed instructions for homes and their pets. I have references and happy clients to tell you about it!
“Nadya was great! Her place is a relaxing retreat for the dogs, lots of sunny spots to lounge in the yard. She sent great pics while we were gone. She was kind, friendly and responds quick to texts. Would definitely recommend her.”
“Emily was awesome with my slightly anxious rescue dog. Sent updates, very responsive, and flexible about drop off and pick up times. Much appreciate the care she gave my little doggo over the course of a weekend and always felt she was in safe hands.”
“Mary was absolutely wonderful with Kona. She was also incredibly understanding when our needs changed and her flexibility was very much appreciated. Kona came home tired and happy and we will certainly use her in the future.”
About: I grew up with cats and dogs and even started my own dog walking business when I was ten. I love animals … maybe even more than people. 😂 I’d be honored to care for your cats and dogs while you’re away. I would love to help you care for your pets when my children are at school…and if it’s okay for them to visit with your sweet dogs and cats as well I have TONS of flexibility all day. I am very careful with pets. They are part of the family. Please tell me what you feel comfortable with and I will follow the instructions to the last detail. I have so much love to give these animals and am hoping to get to spend my time with helping them not miss you too much while you’re away.
“We couldn’t be happier with the care Kim provided for our dog, Boots! From the very start, during the initial meet and greet, we knew Boots was in excellent hands. Kim’s calm and friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease, and Boots took to him right away. Throughout Boots' stay, Kim kept us updated with regular messages and adorable photos, which really helped us feel connected while we were away. Boots is still a young dog, and it was heartwarming to hear that an older dog Kim was also watching stepped in as a “mentor” for Boots! It’s clear that Kim fosters a safe and nurturing environment for all the pets in his care. Our travel plans unexpectedly changed, and Kim was incredibly accommodating, extending Boots' stay without hesitation. This level of flexibility and understanding was such a relief during a stressful time. We wholeheartedly recommend Kim to anyone looking for a trustworthy, attentive, and compassionate dog sitter. Boots came home happy and well-cared-for, and we’ll definitely be booking with Kim again in the future!”
“Shayla & Jacob were great communicators. They responded a timely manor. My puppies (5 months and just over a year) were well taken care of. We set up a meet and greet they took the time to listen to me and understand what my puppies needed they did not rush me at all I would definitely leave my puppies with them again. Not only are they lovely people but have a beautiful family”
“I left my dog with Yvette and John for two weeks this time. From the first time he stayed there, it was clear he just adores them. They are so super sweet with him. Their calm energy settles his anxious tendencies. I'm with my dog a lot at home and we sleep in the same room, so I was a little nervous about their setup. But it all worked out great! They took him for a lot of walks in different places and tired him out. He always looked so calm and content - they sent me pics daily! He was in no hurry to leave when I picked him up. It was just the best feeling to go on vacation and not worry about him for a second. I'm so glad I found them to take care of my sensitive pup.”
“Fantastic sitter! My anxious dog absolutely loved Orrya! Orrya was an excellent communicator, was willing to meet us before for an introductory meeting, and sent plenty of picture updates of Louis (our dog).”
“Juliana; was great at communicating and giving me updates when I asked. She took excellent care of my Yorkie! I highly recommend Julianna to care for your baby! I definitely will book again with her.”
“I was headed on vacation when, last minute, my family got sick and couldn’t watch my dog. Thank goodness for Rover and especially for Xi! I’ve always hated the idea of boarding my dog in a tiny kennel with limited attention unless you pay extra. That’s why I’m so grateful I found Xi and Yohanas She was an exceptional host from start to finish. She kept me updated with photos and messages throughout Osito’s stay, which gave me such peace of mind. Not only did she care for Osito like her own, she even had homemade food ready for him! He got daily walks, plenty of love and attention, and he absolutely loved playing with her sweet dog. It felt like he was staying with extended family, not a sitter. Xi and Yohanas went above and beyond, and I will 100% continue using her!”
“Kiara had a wonderful stay with Kevin and Rosa, and playing with Banksy really helped her come out of her shell around other dogs. We're so pleased her first time away was such a great experience.”
“Thank you!! Christine had our 11 month old Gracie for 4 nights. We have never left her with anyone before. From the first time we met with Christine I knew Gracie would be well cared for and loved. Not only that but Christine sent daily photos and videos and even did some training!!! We highly recommend Christine and will definitely use her services again!!!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Novato is $75
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Novato
Tamara was responsive to our inquiry when we contacted her. She suggested a meet and greet, which really helped when deciding where to leave our girl Mimi. Mimi seemed very comfortable and relaxed, always a good sign! Tamara gave us updates and pictures daily. We really appreciated her communications. It helped us relax and enjoy our vacation knowing Mimi was being cared for. Plus I think Mimi made a couple new friends.Thank you, Tamara!
I cannot say enough about how exceptionally well cared for my Dog was with Dustin! He had excellent communication, sent photos and videos and gave a play by play of my dog and his dogs antics. We are absolutely grateful to have such a great dog caregiver on Rover. His yard is huge and his dog Leo is such a sweetheart, we felt really comfortable with him watching our dog. If you are thinking of using Dustin I would recommend him 12/10!
Rafi delivered such professional service, offering to pick up and drop off our pet even when we had not requested that service. She also created a safe and accommodating home for our dog, helping it become part of her pack so quickly. We were blown away by Rafi's innate ability to put animals at ease: our usually nervous pup approached her immediately and got into her car without assistance after only meeting her once.
Devrie took my dogs into her home and cared for them as if they were her own. She made my hectic day so much easier and took all the stress off my shoulders. When they came home , they were happy, relaxed, and clearly well loved. Knowing they were in such good hands gave me complete peace of mind. I would highly recommend her!
Jessica was great in every way as a pet sitter! I had no concerns; my two dogs were well cared for by her. She is very kind and nice, and was easy to communicate with, and always professional. Her home is lovely, and safe, and ideal for caring for pets. It is also convenient as a drop off location- right near the highway. She sent updates regularly, and took them for walks. Both my dogs seemed happy and calm when I picked them up. It was a wonderful experience. I highly Jessica.
Edward is a gentle dog whisperer! Bella is our sweet standard poodle who gets lots of love at home and naturally we always worry when we travel and leave Bella behind, but not anymore, she was in excellent hands! Thank you Edward for your daily pictures and videos too.
Heidi, Lars and their family are the absolute best! We are convinced that our golden retriever, Penny, loves them more than us now! They are incredibly caring and communicative while pet sitting and go above and beyond to give Penny the best day - multiple walks / hikes, playing ball outside, taking her on car trips, etc. the first time we picked up Penny after a wonderful, long day with Heidi and Lars, she was so content and tired. I couldn’t recommend them enough!
Robyn took care of our boys very well and we appreciated her photos updating us. We can see that Benji and Harry are comfortable and happy at her home. We will definitely be coming back to Robyn when we go on holidays. We can’t wait to see her again. I would highly recommend Robyn for your pet.
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 dog boarding
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer dog boarding.
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 dog boarding - Novato
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in Novato average 10 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - Novato
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Boarding in Novato is $76 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $43 and $107 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 4,200 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Novato. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Every sitter on Rover has their own routine. Depending on the arrangements you agree on before the stay, a sitter can follow your dog’s regular feeding schedule, provide a comfortable place to sleep, offer companionship, and support their usual exercise and play needs.
94% of sitters in Novato can provide daily exercise during dog boarding stays. Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, this may include walks, outdoor play, indoor enrichment activities, or supervised play with compatible dogs. These activities are not automatically included with every booking, so ask the sitter what a typical day looks like.
During the Meet & Greet, discuss your dog’s usual exercise and play routine, whether they can safely interact with other dogs, and any activities or restrictions the sitter should follow. You can also ask the sitter to send photo and message updates during the stay so you can see how your dog is spending their time.
Preparing for drop-off is easy when you have a checklist! To help your dog settle into their Novato home-away-from-home, packing:
- Health and safety essentials such as their ID tags, vaccination records, medication, and emergency vet or secondary caregiver contacts.
- Food and gear such as harnesses, collars, food (portioned by day), and an item that smells like you.
- Special instructions such as a list of training cues, medical administration needs, or favorite hang-out spots in your Novato.
<b>Tip:</b> You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
You and your Novato sitter can schedule drop-off and pick-up in a way that works best for the both of you—and your dog. Most sitters offer flexible times for drop-off and pick-up but the easiest way to confirm those times will be through in-app messaging. Confirm your arrival time the day of pick-up and drop-off can also help keep the process smooth and organized.
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 .
While each sitter sets their own vaccine requirements, staying up-to-date on your dog’s vaccines is the best way to be "boarding ready". Vaccinations help create a safe environment for all pets under a sitter’s care.
Many sitters in CA ask that dogs be up to date on core vaccines like the Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Rabies.
By discussing your pet's health history early, you’re adding a layer of confidence for you and your sitter before the booking begins.
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 dog to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your dog 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.
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