Dog Boarding San Rafael
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 436 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%.
“Our pup Ranger had a great stay with Mila! He had a blast going on adventures and hanging out with Mila in her yard. We felt like he was in great hands while we were away and will definitely ask Mila to watch Ranger again when we head out of town. Thanks Mila!”
“Five star +++ experience. I almost hate to leave a review because we want them all to ourselves! Lori & Frank treated my dogs like their own — they showered them with love and attention and took exceptional care of them. They sent adorable pictures and kept me updated (without being annoying about it) while I was out of the country for 9 days. They have a lovely cozy dog-friendly home, and a very nice fully fenced yard. They are both super kind dog lovers and also responsible adults so you can feel comfortable leaving your beloved pooch or pooches in their care. Just the best.”
“We were worried that our Mimi would be very anxious away from us - but she fit right in to Deborah’s home and we were able to enjoy our time away knowing she was truly cared for. Deborah was great at communication too and seeing Mimi’s smiles in the pictures was wonderful. Definitely will ask Deborah again if the need arises. Thank you!”
“Ariane looked after our dog for four nights while we were away, and she was amazing! Our dog immediately took to her and I could tell he would be in the best hands. He looked so comfortable and happy when I picked him up, and we couldn’t have been more pleased. She was very communicative and sent daily photos and videos of him. We look forward to using Ariane again soon!”
“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.”
“Tatiana and Renat took such good care of Chewie!! I really appreciated all the updates and pictures and kind words about Chewie - it's so comforting to know your dog is so loved! Thank you so much! ❤️”
“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.”
“Orrya did a beautiful job of caring for our two pups! With regular updates and photos, we felt connected to them while far away. We are so grateful to have had her take care of them!”
“Kelly Ann was great with our dog Digby. She went above and beyond to give him great care and love. He's an older diabetic dog and she gave him 2 insulin shots a day and made sure he had plenty of water to drink. She took him on walks and gave him a lot of cuddles. I'd highly recommend Kelly Ann.”
“This is our second time sitting with Yvette and she and her husband did great again. They provided plenty of walks and updates on our dog and we are very grateful for the work that they did”
“This was our 7 month old puppy's first week away and she had the best time. Nadya was attentive and helped Winnie adjust to the other pups in the house. Nadya even walked Winnie and made sure she was enjoying her time. Nadya sent photos daily.”
“Our dogs have never been happier! They loved the massive fenced yard and all the playtime. I loved the photos of them romping that Dustin kindly sent often. Can’t wait to have them board again.”
“Ashish was an amazing Dog Sitter. I was leaving my eight month old puppy for 15 days and was very nervous. As soon as I dropped my dog off with Ashish I felt completely comfortable. He went above and beyond The duty and sending videos and pictures I could see from those pictures and videos that Ari was very well taken care of. I will definitely be using him for all my future trips. Ashish gave me peace of mind when I needed it most.”
About: I’ve taken care of my family’s pets all my life and have 2 dogs of my own. I worked as a Vet Technician for 4 years and now work relief shifts every once in a while. I am capable of going on long walks/hikes, cutting nails and giving medications. Evenings and weekends work best for me. I work Monday through Friday and get off at 4pm, so any time afterwards is best. I can be flexible on weekends. I will always have my eyes on your pets, keeping close to them whether hanging out inside, going on walks or being loose in the backyard.
“Matthew and Bryant took wonderful care of our Reba! They sent daily updates and included Reba on all of their adventures. They even took her to the beach! We felt that Reba was very well cared for and we got back a very happy puppy. We would absolutely recommend Matthew and Bryant to anyone!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in San Rafael is $75
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - San Rafael
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 $60 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $42 and $100 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 4,608 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across San Rafael. 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 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, 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.
<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 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 , 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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