Dog Boarding San Rafael
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 193 pet parents in San Rafael have booked dog boarding
San Rafael, 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%.
About: As a family, we have provided a lifetime of caring and deep bond connection with our own dogs and others - currently the proud parents of a rescued playful terrier mix from SF SPCA. We are excited to share our home with your pet. To ensure maximum safety and care, I only host one dog at a time. We care about safety, on-time potty breaks and of course playtimes! I am currently working mostly from home so I stay close with your furry most of the time. Weather permits, I spend time in the terrace or walk around a nice park nearby. Playtime is during any break I have or when my kiddos are at home. At night dogs sleep comfortably in the living room or kitchen - whichever is their preferred place! very little noise in our neighborhood. We (family of four) live in a townhouse that has a few stairs that keeps the dogs active -) , we have a terrace with tall fences if furries needs a little more sunlight or a nap. Otherwise they are free to roam around with main entrance door and garage are always closed. Oh! during those hot or cold days our house lets the fresh air in or we turn the AC or heater on.
“Drake had such a wonderful time with Tula. I loved the updates throughout his stay, which gave me comfort knowing he settled in ok and was having a good time. Would definitely recommend her to anyone needing their dog watched, especially since Drake can be reactive to strangers and other dogs. She was very understanding and handled him with a ton of care.”
“Angelica took exceptional care of our pup, accommodating her little quirks and senior needs. She sent us plenty of updates and pictures, making sure we knew Daisy was being well cared for. Will definitely work with Angelica again!”
“Kinley was well looked after by Kevin, Rosa and Banksy. I really appreciated the time they took for a through meet & greet to get to know her specific needs and the daily updates.”
About: Warm dog mom to a 13-year-old dachshund! I provide a structured, fun, and cozy environment with potty breaks every two hours and plenty of walks I'm home full time as I transition to my next job in the Bay Area. I can help with overnight stays, walks and general dog care! In my home, I provide a structured, cozy, and safe environment for pets. I have a small patio with no escape route, ensuring a secure outdoor space. When walking dogs, I’m highly aware of my surroundings to keep them protected at all times. I do not crate my own dog, but I’m happy to do so if that’s your preference. Every pup in my care receives the same love and attention my dog gets, regular potty breaks, and plenty of blankets to make them feel at home!
“Kevin was wonderful taking care of our dog Ranger for a long weekend. Easy to communicate with, sent updates while we were away and was not phased at all taking care of our 110 pound dog! Thank you so much!!”
“Annelies & Marcos are amazing! You'd be very lucky to have your pup stay with them. Annelies was easy to coordinate with, for connecting on details and drop off. They understand how stressful it can be to leave your dog behind on vacation, and were so communicative and shared lots of photos, so I felt well updated and could relax, knowing everything was going well. They ensured my pup had lots of outdoor time, walks and even a day at the beach, followed by a bath! If they are available, run, don't walk to book with them. You will be relieved and your dog will be well taken care of and loved like their own.”
“Tammy and her family provided the perfect home away from home for my anxious dog! My vacation was considerably more relaxing than usual due to Tammy's expert care and frequent status reports and pictures. I'm so grateful I found Tammy!!! :)”
“Camila was a great companion for our dog. She made our dog feel comfortable, cared for, and right at home. She kept us updated throughout our dog’s stay, sent photos and videos, and timely responded to us. We will definitely book with Camila again.”
“Ellen is amazing. Excellent communication. Clearly wonderful at her work. Left my new and very petite puppy with her and picked up a super happy little girl. Your dog will be in great hands! :)”
“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.”
About: I've always had pets and we are always volunteering to help our friends and recently a friend suggested I do Rover. We have a sweet yellow lab named Lucca ("the big easy") and he is great with ALL dogs. We fostered 7 senior dogs through Muttville in SF from chihuahua to English Mastiff and got them all adopted. We love puppies but hope they are potty trained. We live in Southern Marin with lots of places to walk. My son (12-yrs) is also an avid animal lover, and we never meet a dog we don't try to say hi to and often end up narrating for. Hope to see your furry baby soon!! I'm currently working part-time so have plenty of time to take care of your pup. Also, I would be open to dog-walking if you find you need extra help during the day. While I do not have a fenced yard there are several trails around Tiburon and neighborhoods to walk so happy to take your baby on walks with Lucca and I and if Sam is home from school, I am sure he will join us too!
“Veronica and Albert are really great. They gave my boy so much love and took good care of him. They always made sure to provide my pup the most similar care and activities he got at home with us, even with extra love. Highly recommended!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in San Rafael is $75
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - San Rafael
Angelica was amazing with Bentley! She kept me updated throughout the entire stay and sent lots of pictures, which gave me peace of mind. Overall, it was a wonderful pet care experience, and I would highly recommend Angelica to anyone looking for a caring and reliable pet sitter!
Elizabeth did an amazing job boarding Tali for 2 weeks. She always responded to my texts very promptly and was flexible with my changing plans which really made a difference. Everything about her was trustworthy. And most importantly she clearly loved Tali and took great care of her which made my trip worry free. Tali was calm and happy and fully herself when I picked her up and in the days after. I would board her again with Elizabeth without any hesitation!!!
Annelies & Marcos are amazing! You'd be very lucky to have your pup stay with them. Annelies was easy to coordinate with, for connecting on details and drop off. They understand how stressful it can be to leave your dog behind on vacation, and were so communicative and shared lots of photos, so I felt well updated and could relax, knowing everything was going well. They ensured my pup had lots of outdoor time, walks and even a day at the beach, followed by a bath! If they are available, run, don't walk to book with them. You will be relieved and your dog will be well taken care of and loved like their own.
Deborah took such good care of our senior pup. He has a lot of specific needs and she took them on without any issues. It's challenging to find a sitter willing to do that. He did great in her care and we will be absolutely booking with her again the next time we go out of town.
Our little Kodi is a rescue dog who can be anxious in new situations, needing lots of reassurance and a tender-hearted caregiver, which is exactly who Ashley is. She made a safe haven for our anxious pup and he was in heaven, being pampered with complete and utter attention at all times. She also was in constant touch with us, supplying multiple updates and photos every day during the boarding, which gave us peace of mind while we were away. We cannot recommend Ashley enough, and we are thrilled to have found her for our little Kodi and are honored to recommend her pet sitting services!
Sophie is amazing! She took care of our dog Lola Faith while we were out of the country for two weeks. Lola is a little skittish in nature but quickly felt comfortable with Sophie and thoroughly enjoyed her stay. We received daily updates with photos of Lola on her daily walks and frisbee time. It was so nice to see Lola in great care while we were away. We're definitely reaching out to Sophie again the next time we travel!
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 - San Rafael
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in San Rafael average 10 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Dog Boarding - San Rafael
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Boarding in San Rafael is $66 per night as of November 2026. Most bookings cost between $45 and $104 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 November 2026, there are 4,605 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across San Rafael. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.
The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.
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.
93% of sitters in San Rafael 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 San Rafael home-away-from-home, we recommend 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 San Rafael.
Tip: You can upload your dog’s routine and medical info directly onto their profile so your sitter always has the details at their fingertips.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in San Rafael. On Rover:
- 86% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 91% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 93% 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.
You and your San Rafael 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 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.
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.
Adding another pup to the pack? Most sitters and walkers offer a reduced rate for additional dogs. You’ll find these exact rates listed under the "Services" tab on any sitter's profile. Since every dog is unique, final pricing may vary depending on the level of care required.
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