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%.
“Almarah was wonderful! My wife’s flight was delayed so we asked to adjust the schedule and she did so very quickly and with no complaints. She arrived on time and Oden was immediately cuddled up to her. She sent us photos of their walks and responded to any questions. We know who we’ll call next time we’re out of town.”
“Darya was amazing! She sent me multiple daily updates with photos. The animals loved her right away which was very reassuring and she left my house very clean and even stripped the sheets! I will be using her again.”
“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!”
“A great sitter! She house sat for us for a week and administered oral meds to my cat, and kept our 70 lb high energy dog company. She gave us daily updates and asked questions when needed. Will book her again!”
“We are so grateful that Bryan was available pretty last minute to watch our 2 dogs and Guinea pig. He was super friendly from the moment we met him and we could tell that our dogs liked him immediately too (and we all know dogs are great judges of character). He made sure to follow the instructions we gave him via a Google Doc and sent PLENTY of update pictures. Bryan kept Cherry and Waffle super busy going on lots of walks and trips to the dog park so I don’t think they even missed us while we were gone! We will definitely try booking with him again in the future!”
“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!!”
“Vanessa was very gentle and kind with my dogs and they trusted her right away! She sent so many pictures while we were away and puppies looked relaxed and happy to be around her😍 I will definitely rebook ☺️!”
“Michelle is an amazing dog sitter! She was able to help us out with short notice. She is highly responsive and it is clear she loves animals. My dog was very calm with her and was well taken care of. Highly recommend. Thanks so much!!”
“Rylie was an great cat sitter. She took great care of our fur baby Luna and our apartment. She sent us daily updates and Luna felt very at home with her. We would love to have Rylie sit for us again. Thank you!!”
“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!”
“Angelica was so great with our 1 year old lab, bowie. She came two nights in a row to look after him and she was so attentive. She played with him and took him out on walks -- we were able to not worry while we were gone. Thank you Angelica!”
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.
“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!”
“Margo was exceptional with our sweet but reactive dog. She has been kind and patient with him, careful to let him set the pace to establish trust. And she was a big hit with him in the end and we will continue to use her services.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in San Mateo is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - San Mateo
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!
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.
Dawn was absolutely incredible with our two dogs! We needed a pet sitter for a last-minute trip, and she was so accommodating and agreed to help. Before we left, she came to our home for a meet-and-greet to get to know our dogs, learn their routines, and go over all the care instructions. That immediately gave peace of mind. Throughout our vacation, Dawn sent regular updates and photos, and it was clear she had really bonded with both of our dogs. She paid close attention to their unique personalities and behaviors, and it was obvious they were happy, comfortable, and well cared for. She also went above and beyond by washing the bed sheets before we returned home. After a long day of travel, coming home to a clean house and fresh sheets was such a thoughtful gesture and meant so much. Dawn is kind, reliable, communicative, and truly cares about the pets she looks after. We will absolutely hire her again.
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!
Caroline was amazing with our rescue dachshund Tella. She was so empathetic to us and Tella who just lost the other half of her bonded pair, and took Tella on with such patience since we all didn’t quite know how she’d handle being dog-watched alone for the first time. Caroline also messaged regularly with so many picture updates to comfort us knowing we probably had more separation anxiety than Tella did! As a pet owner of a somewhat difficult rescue dachshund - and if you know dachshunds you know what I mean- i was worried about finding the right sitter and Caroline went above and beyond.
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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