House Sitting San Mateo
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 411 pet parents in San Mateo have booked house sitting
San Mateo, Find top rated house sitting
Prices are estimates per night for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
About: New to Rover? Use my promo code SARAHC42510 to get $20 off your first booking. I have over 5 years of experience caring for dogs and truly enjoy getting to know each dog’s unique personality. I specialize in small dogs, especially Chihuahuas, and understand the extra patience, attention, and care they often need. I’ve also cared for poodles and larger breeds, so I’m comfortable with dogs of all sizes. I treat every pet like they’re my own, following their routine closely and making sure they feel safe, loved, and comfortable. Whether it’s a walk, playtime, or cuddles, my goal is to make every dog happy while giving owners peace of mind through reliable care and regular updates. I currently work part-time, which gives me a flexible schedule for walks, drop-ins, and pet sitting. I’m available throughout the week and can work with your pet’s routine to provide reliable, consistent care. Your pet’s safety and comfort are my top priorities. I always follow your instructions closely, including feeding schedules, medications, walking routes, and any special needs. I make sure doors, gates, and leashes are secure at all times, and I’ll treat your home with the same respect and care as my own. I’ll also send regular photo updates so you can feel confident your pet is happy and in good hands.
“Bryan is great! Very chill, easy to communicate with, sends plenty of pics while they are out and about! We’ve already been a repeat customer as we come home to a very happy girl, we know she’s in good hands. I’m sure BK will be seeing Bryan again soon!”
About: I've had dogs my whole life — that's 29 years of hands-on experience caring for them at every stage. Growing up around both working and non-working dogs gave me a well-rounded understanding of different breeds, temperaments, and needs. I currently have a dog of my own, so your pup will always be in the care of someone who genuinely lives and breathes this. As an added bonus, my sister is a veterinarian — so I bring not just personal experience, but a household full of professional-level knowledge when it comes to your pet's health and wellbeing. I work from home on weekdays, which means your pet is never far from someone who cares. I'm available for drop-in visits throughout the day as long as I can bring my laptop, and I'm free for walks Monday through Friday from 2:30–7pm. Weekends are more flexible, and I'm happy to house sit with advance notice. Having a work-from-home setup is honestly a perk for the pets I care for - there's always a calm, present person nearby. I'm no stranger to multi-dog households as I live with my own dog alongside my family's two dogs, so I'm comfortable managing the dynamics that come with multiple pets under one roof. I have hands-on experience with crate training and potty training, and I've cared for dogs in all kinds of setups: yards, apartments, you name it. For house sitting and drop-in visits, I actually prefer caring for dogs in their own environment as familiar surroundings mean less stress for your pet, and I'm there to keep their routine as normal as possible. It's the setup where I do my best work.
“Michelle was able to help take care of our dog due to an unexpected scheduling issue. She was highly responsive. It is clear that my dog trusts her a lot. She is gentle with him and took great care of the apartment. Thank you!!!”
“Angelica was efficient, friendly and very loving to our two Brittneys. One is young with lots of energy and one is old and is more sedentary and she balanced their needs perfectly. I loved that she sent many pictures. It made our time away from our home care free! Happy to act as a reference for her! Jan”
“Parind was a fantastic sitter for our dog! He was consistently communicative and sent us many updates (and photos) while we were away. We felt reassured and that she was safe the entire time. She’s an older dog who needed extra medication and care; Parind took it all in stride and managed the additional needs. Our dog was loved and cared for, and he was respectful of our home. We look forward to booking Parind again!”
“We cannot thank Katrina enough for taking such good care of our two dogs. We hired Katrina for pet/house sitting. As any pet parent knows, it is stressful to leave your fur babies behind while on vacation but Katrina eased that stress by sending daily updates, complete with photos to let us know how our dogs were doing. She took them on long walks and sent photos while on the walks. (The dogs looked very happy.) She also took good care of the house. We will definitely reach out to her again and highly recommend her.”
“Margot was fantastic! She watched our anxious dog and house for a full week, kept the plants watered, and sent daily updates that put our minds at ease the whole time. We felt completely assured leaving our pup in her care and will absolutely book her again. Highly recommend!”
“Dawn treated our dog Maple like she was her own. She was extremely communicative throughout our trip and put our minds at ease. Maple was noticeably happier and calmer than we've ever seen her when we are away from home. We will definitely be booking with her again in the future!”
“Hope pet sat our three dogs and two cats while we were away for 2 weeks. She was very communicative, sent lots of updates and pictures, and we felt very comfortable with her house sitting. All the pets loved her too!”
“Caroline was a lifesaver! The thought of leaving our kitty at home with a stranger for 16 days was nerve-wracking, to say the least! Thankfully, we found Caroline, and she took the anxiety out of the equation. She took care to follow out instructions and maintain Tatsu's kitty routine with minimal disruption. In addition, Caroline gave regular updates and communicated in detail about how things were going. It was clear from her communication that Tatsu had settled in well with her new caregiver. When we returned home, we found a healthy and content little cat and a spotless home. We are deeply grateful for Caroline's cat sitting and would highly recommend her for anyone seeking a reliable and thoughtful pet sitter.”
“We love Emmy! She is the absolute sweetest, and our pup just adores her. She is kind, thoughtful, and considerate, and we never worry for a second when our dog is with her. We will 100% ask Emmy to watch our girl in the future and couldn’t recommend her more highly!!”
“Wow! What an incredible sitter Hong was. This is the first time I have ever been away from my fur babies and not worried once. She was so communicative the entire time and I came back to happy dogs and a pristine house. If I could give her 10 stars I would! Thank you again Hong. ❤️”
“Sameena was great! Took great care of our baby Camper, took him for nice long walks and was incredibly communicative all day with messages and photos. Will definitely work with her again!”
“Stephanie was amazing with my two anxious dogs! She was so patient and sweet and went above and beyond to make sure they were comfortable while we were away. She sent daily updates and photos which really gave me peace of mind. It's obvious how much she cares about the well being of animals and has a gift working with them. She also left my house spotless. I highly recommend Stephanie for pet sitting!”
The median cost per night for house sitting in San Mateo is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - San Mateo
Mathew was an excellent dog/housesitter. He followed our instructions very well and was very responsive to any questions we presented during the time he was working with us. He also sent us frequent periodic updates with multiple pictures of our pupper. We've had Mathew dog/housesit for us multiple times now and we're very confident in his ability and professionalism. Can't recommend enough.
Margot was fantastic! She watched our anxious dog and house for a full week, kept the plants watered, and sent daily updates that put our minds at ease the whole time. We felt completely assured leaving our pup in her care and will absolutely book her again. Highly recommend!
I can’t recommend our pet sitter highly enough! She has been absolutely wonderful with Mimi, our Shih Tzu, who requires medication three times a day. From the moment we left, she took excellent care of her and made us feel completely at ease. Her communication is exceptional, she keeps us updated throughout the entire day, from morning to night, with pictures and updates on how Mimi is doing. It’s so reassuring to know she is being well cared for, especially with her medication schedule. She also makes sure Mimi gets her daily walks, lots of attention, and plenty of love. It’s clear that she genuinely cares about the pets she looks after and treats them like her own. We came home to a happy, well cared for Mimi, and I’m so grateful for the peace of mind she gave us while we were away. We will absolutely be booking her again!
Dawn was absolutely incredible. She was super communicative, took tons of photos of my two golden retrievers for the days she was watching them, and even took them for a hike one day (after getting my blessing). My girls were incredibly happy with her and clearly well taken care of when I got home. She was conscientious throughout the process, and made the stressful process of trusting my babies with a different person incredibly easy. If I have to go away again, I will happily rebook with Dawn!
We had such a great experience with Parind! Our Shepard mix loved his playful and loving energy from the start. It was clear that he was genuinely loved and well cared for while we were away. Parind was communicative, sent us pictures and updates, and was very respectful of our home. We felt completely comfortable knowing our pup was in such trustworthy hands. We would happily have him again!
Michelle is an amazing dog sitter - she sends frequent updates and most importantly our dog is well taken care of. It's clear that she genuinely loves animals and is attentive to their needs. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone trustworthy, kind, and dependable.
Ligia took such great care of our dog Teddy as well as our house while we were gone for 2 weeks. Ligia sent us lots of pictures and was very responsive while we were out. We are so grateful that Teddy was able to stay with someone so caring in an environment that he was used to while we were gone. Ligia also helped water the plants, bring in packages, put away groceries, etc while we were gone. We would definitely recommend Ligia to anyone looking for petcare needs! We would love to hire Ligia again in the future!
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.
Meet local sitters who will treat your pets like family
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 - San Mateo
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in San Mateo average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - San Mateo
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for House Sitting in San Mateo on Rover is $77.7 per night (as of August 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of House Sitting easy. As long as your dates and pet profiles are correct, the price you see before you book is the same price you pay for House Sitting. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of August 2026, there are 8,874 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across San Mateo. 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 San Mateo 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 Rover Guarantee , 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 Rover's Trust & Safety page .
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 short introductory meeting between you, your pet, and a sitter. It can take place in person or virtually, although we recommend in-person so that your pet can get to know your sitter 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. Most pet parents and sitters on Rover welcome Meet & Greets because the process can give confidence and peace of mind for service experiences, especially for longer stays or first-time bookings.
Sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy, which you can find on their profile under their calendar availability.
Cancelling before a booking begins and before the sitter's cutoff time qualifies you for a full refund. Same-day cancellations for walks, day care, and drop-ins follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for dog boarding and house sitting, you will receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for the remaining days when you cancel the same day a booking should begin.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means our support team works with you to find a replacement sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in San Mateo. On Rover:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 95% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 95% 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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