House Sitting San Mateo
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 389 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%.
“Aik was amazing! He handled my dog’s unexpected quirks with ease!!! I can tell she was loved and very well cared for. Plus he took great care of my house too! Would recommend and rebook anytime. Thanks Aik!!!!”
“It was a pleasure having Sam watch our pups and would love to have her back! She was great about sending daily photo updates and confirming if our dogs’ quirks were normal/expected.”
“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!!!”
“Kelly is a wonderful dog and home sitter, whom I would enthusiastically hire again. We were gone for a week and my dog's life was virtually seamless. Kelly took him on walks and cared for him as her own and our dog is unphased. Kelly was kind, mature, knowledgeable and respectful, in all her interactions with all, our dog, our home, and ourselves. I could not have asked for more. While I was gone, she sent me many pictures, reinforcing that all was well at home and providing peace of mind. Again, I would not hesitate to hire her again. I can not give a better endorsement. Thank you, again, sweet Kelly!”
“Caroline had amazing communication!! I had a whole google doc of instructions 😂 and she was so good at consistently keeping our babies on their schedule and routines, even with all their quirks! I loved all the regular updates; we had some scheduling issues in the middle but she was incredibly transparent and very detailed in communicating so o was able to make l alternative arrangements! Our shy cats + xl dog took to her immediately 😊”
“Alanna was wonderful with my 11-week old puppy. She sent me pictures throughout the day and kept me informed on how he was doing. Also, she worked on reinforcing his trainer which was greatly appreciated. We will definitely book again with Alanna!”
“Bryan is AMAZING! He took care of our pup, Ginger, for 4 days and we 11/10 recommend! Bryan is extremely attentive, takes wonderful care of Ginger, and gives frequent updates. We can get”
“Karina was great with my Frenchie, Mac! She took really good care of him, made sure he was comfortable, and even gave him his flea medication while I was away. I felt totally comfortable knowing he was in good hands. She was really attentive and caring, and I’d definitely have her watch Mac again!”
“I’ve never had a better dog sitter to be completely honest. Laura is absolutely amazing. She is so attentive. She would constantly share pics of our pups and was always so available to get back to us promptly. I would 100% recommend.m her to anyone looking.”
“Kim was punctual, professional, and very warm. Our cats warmed up to her quickly and I felt very comfortable knowing she was looking after them for the week. She left our apartment in great condition; will definitely seek her out again when we travel in the future.”
“Dawn took wonderful care of our dog and home. She connected with our pup and understood him well. He definitely bonded with her. She shared lots of photos, videos, and stories, and it was clear our dog was happy. We highly recommend Dawn and hope to have her dog sit again soon!”
“Cecelia was fantastic! She sent pictures throughout the stay and left my home exactly as she found it. She was also great with Otto! He was happy and content when I arrived home. 🙏”
About: Hello, My name is Gloria Itzel and I am currently blessed to share my household will a beautiful black and white short haired tuxito cat and two lovely very energetic Shih Tzu/Yorkshire Terrier's. I Love playing sports, staying active, and discovering new things. I believe there is nothing better than to spend that time while hanging out with our amazing lovable furry friends. I would prefer to walk small dogs as I am 5'1 weighing at about 130lbs (hence my choice of breed for companionship are a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier) but any four legged friend of yours is a friend of mine. I am more than pleased to be able to spend some time with your furry friend while staying physically active! Please let me know if you would like any special requests.
About: While I've loved and cared for my own Pit Bulls and Beagle, 4 years experience living with a Bull Terrier has prepared me for so much with our furry besties! Keeping to schedule is very important, and for their comfort I will definitely give them time to adjust while I'm caring for them. I'll cuddle if they like, and leave them be if that's their preference. Most recent experience with animal care was for my senior dog during incontinence & weakening hips/hind legs. And the younger dog was hit be a car, so he was also a patient to assist and carry for almost everythinghe did. And I'd do it all over in a heartbeat just to be with them again! (My dogs ate twice daily and vocalized his need for breakfast at the same time that he needs to relieve himself. In order to prevent accidents in the house, I make sure to respond to their barks and pacing around me or near the door. To prevent my energetic dogs from uncontrollable zoomies, regular walks satisfy their momentum while giving time for obedience and awareness in public.) I like to find out what makes our pets feel safe and loved, because who wants to be stuck in an awkward situation? I'll acknowledge that spontaneous throw up, poop, and urine are all natural accidents that can be cleaned without shame. I don't tell at or get pushy with your animals, I will be patient & show them patience.
“Zarina was a great communicator. She took great care of our puppy and spent quality time with her. Our puppy was happy and had all her needs met when we got home. We’ll definitely request Zarina’s help again for our pup.”
“Vivian is an incredible cat sitter! She was extremely attentive to Mushu’s needs and followed instructions perfectly. She is a great communicator as well, sending thorough updates and photos each day and was readily available if I had any questions. I highly recommend booking!!”
About: I've taken care of dogs since I was in high school. A lot of my neighbors have asked me to take care of their dogs while being out on long vacations. Most visits did not include overnight stays, but I would show up in the morning to take them for a walk and to play, come back around noon to play with them again and stay for about an hour or two, come back around dinner to make sure they were fed and walked again and stay a little longer so that the dogs were not alone when it would get darker. Especially during thunder storms! I currently have a full time job that I work at 5 days a week. However with my job I have a lot of availability to work remote so if there were any circumstances where you would need me to stay all day at your house to watch your dog I would be available to do so as long as I have a wifi connection :). I had moved from New Jersey to California, so as you can imagine I miss my family dogs everyday so I have a lot of love to give to other dogs. I live in an apartment so I will unfortunately not be able to have dogs here, however, I am willing to travel multiple times a day to the owners house to play, feed, walk and even go to parks to keep them fresh and active.
The median cost per night for house sitting in San Mateo is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - San Mateo
Casey was great! We booked him short on time, but he made time to come meet the dogs and us, learn their routine, and make us feel comfortable. The dogs were in great hands. He updated me they were cozy and sleeping, kept the house spotless, and followed our instructions. Casey’s as really personable and reliable, we will book with him again.
Sameena took amazing care of our dog, Luna! She was so attentive, followed instructions, made sure Luna always had physical activity, snacks and water, and took amazing care of our house. Sameena was communicative and sent adorable photos. Luna also needed a few medications while we were gone, and Sameena made sure we were updated and always knew how she was doing. I would highly recommend Sameena to watch your pet and house sit.
I highly recommend Mario! He made the whole process seamless and took amazing care of our little guy! He sent us pictures 3x per day, was communicative, and followed our instructions to a T. I look forward to using him again whenever we are unable to bring our dog with us!
We had a great experience! Molly was punctual, detail-oriented, and took wonderful care of our dogs and our home. We came back to a clean house and, most importantly, two happy and healthy pups. We really appreciated the care she gave them and would definitely book with her again!
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.
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!
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 - 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 of House Sitting in San Mateo is $78 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $46 and $138 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 8,824 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 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 Meet & Greet.
sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy, 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 San Mateo. On Rover:
- 87% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 90% 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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