House Sitting San Rafael
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 229 pet parents in San Rafael have booked house sitting
San Rafael, 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%.
“Kathryn was wonderful! She has all the qualities you want for someone staying in your home - warm, kind, responsible, clean, conscientious and responsive - but most importantly, our dog & cat LOVE her and it was clear they received a lot of TLC while we were away!”
“David is an incredible sitter! He connected with all four (yes, FOUR) of my animals (3 cats + 1dog) while we were away. He provided frequent updates with pictures and didn’t hesitate asking questions. David offers a calm energy, is completely attentive, enjoys playing and connecting with each animal and bonded with them so effortlessly - he is amazing! Thank you, David, for taking such incredible care of our fur-family!”
“Pat was wonderful! She stepped up for me at the last minute and took loving care of my pup and home for the weekend. She sent photos and even indulged my pups fussy diet. I will definitely call on her in the future.”
About: I’ve been around dogs my entire life, and caring for them comes naturally to me. I have years of hands-on experience as a lifelong dog owner, and dogs seem to connect with my calm, positive energy. Whether it’s playtime, walks, or simply providing companionship, I’ll make sure your dog feels safe, loved, and well cared for while you’re away Im currently looking for as many opportunities as possible as my schedule has opened up. Currently im taking same day booking but I am open to consistent weekly work. I first ask what is expected of me , and going from there. In the past I’ve taken care of dogs in kennels, fenced off, indoor, and anyway the owner sees fit ensuring the safety of the pet ❤️
“Ariela was great with Sam. She was loving, kind, thoughtful and punctual. I would highly recommend her as a sitter and look forward to using her services again for Sam. Thank you Ariela 😊”
“Krystle very lovingly cared for my puppies and was soooo patient with their potty training! She was an excellent houseguest--brought in our mail and packages, brought in our garbage cans, and washed her own linens and puppies laundry before our return. She sent daily pics and updates assuring us the puppies were getting exercised, cared for, and cuddled. The house and puppies were in excellent condition on our arrival. Thank you so much, Krystle; you made our vacation extra enjoyable!”
“Colin has watched GG at our home twice now, and we know he loves her. He sends great pictures where she always looks happy, and sends us updates. He is sweet, responsible, and responsive! He takes good care of my baby and home. Thank you Colin!”
“Christopher house sat for us while we were away for the weekend. Our yellow lab Stella had a great time! Chris was communicative, punctual, and reliable. We received several photos of our dog and she looked happy as ever. Would absolutely book again!”
“Jodi was incredible with our dog, Sam. She was responsive, loving, compassionate with her care of him. She kept us well informed of his activities. Additionally, our home was well cared for. I felt completely comfortable leaving Sam in her care and would highly recommend her for caring for a family pet. I will definitely use her service moving forward. Thank you Jodi😊”
About: I’ve owned dogs and cats my whole life, and have experience with all ages as well! I’ve worked with high energy large dogs, as well as senior animals that require special attention. I appreciate every pet I come across and promise to treat them as I would my own! I’m a recent college graduate and work part time. On Wednesdays and Sundays I’m free to give your pet the love and attention they deserve! I don’t offer services in my own home, but I promise follow any of your pet’s specific needs and other house rules to the letter!
“Brady was great! After his 5 day stay with out 2 year old Australian Cattle Dog, we came home to a clean house (cleaner than we left it) and a tired pup. Brady will be at the top of our list when we leave town again!”
“Samantha was absolutely wonderful with our elderly dog, Trixie, over Thanksgiving. She was incredibly gentle, patient, and attentive to Trixie’s needs, and it gave us so much peace of mind knowing she was in such caring hands. Samantha sent regular updates and photos, and it was clear that Trixie felt comfortable and loved. We’re so grateful for the exceptional care she provided and would highly recommend Samantha to anyone looking for a trustworthy and compassionate sitter. We’ll definitely book with her again!”
About: I’m an experienced and dependable pet caregiver offering both dog walking and housesitting services. Whether your pup needs a walk around the neighborhood or your home needs someone to check in while you’re away, I’ve got you covered. I’ve worked with dogs of all sizes and temperaments, always putting their safety and well-being first. Over the years, I’ve built a strong track record with no incidents—just happy dogs and happy clients. My goal is to make sure your pets are comfortable and your home is cared for, giving you peace of mind while you’re away. Let me know how I can help—I’m flexible and happy to tailor my services to your needs! I do pac walks and solo walks almost every day so if you’re looking for something reoccurring I’m your guy. I live in Tiburon but I go to college of Marin so I Service families all over Marin. I love going on hikes and walking long distances so your dogs will get a great workout. My car is equipped with towels doggie treats and water to maintain a healthy and happy dog.
“Maggie was wonderful to work with! She was easy to communicate with from start to finish, sent photos every day, and was very attentive to our dog. We felt completely comfortable knowing our home and pet were in such good hands. We would happily book with her again and highly recommend her to others.”
“Lydia is wonderful. We hate leaving our furry babies but we always feel good about leaving them with her. She was a real trooper this last visit and dealt with a rain-averse dog during a rainy week and a cat who doesn't always keep everything inside the litter box. She went above and beyond to clean the house and change the linens for us before our return. Would highly recommend her to any pet parent.”
“Connor is a total love bug and my pets immediately warmed to him. His ability to take all my pets on, including my Australian bearded dragon, and keep them happy, made me feel confident that I would love for him to return. He stayed at my house and left it immaculate. Highly recommend this gem of a pet sitter to anyone.”
About: I am a Biology student at UCSC, and I want to become a veterinarian in the future. I am participating in the Pupcycle Club, which is a foundation that recycles old clothes to make dog toys for dogs in animal shelters in Santa Cruz. I also participate in the UCSC Vet Club, which is student-run, where we learn more about the care of animals and the steps it takes to become vets. I'm bilingual, able to speak in Spanish and English. I am a student at UCSC; however, I'm in Marin over the summer for a long period of time, from early June through late September, where I'm mainly focusing on volunteer opportunities, learning opportunities, and being able to care for other animals. With a free and flexible schedule, I am able to care for pets for short or long periods of time, working at your schedule. I will make sure your home stays clean and safe while caring for and providing time to your pets. I will respect your home and the environment your pets live in. I will provide my whole attention and focus on taking care of your pets and giving them the attention they deserve.
About: I grew up on a 500 acre farm in Sebastopol. I have always loved taking care of animals and have had cats and dogs as pets all my adult life. As a professional nanny and Family Assistant, I often care for my charges animals, taking them for walks, letting them in and out, throwing a ball around, taking them on little hikes or just playing at home. With the recent loss of both of my cats (at 17 and 18 years) I could really use some kitty or doggy love and can now make myself available for my neighbors near and far. I am available to come before and after work to check on Fido or Kiki and I am usually around on weekends as I am still very Covid conscious and do most things outdoors. I would love to take your sweetie on a hike. I am very conscious of putting my cats collars on before they go outside and make sure they are in at dark. I will follow any instructions that you provide and you can be confident that I will treat your pets and home with love and respect.
“Jaylynn did a great job taking care of our two pups. She let us know when she arrived, how they were doing after she’d been with them for a while and when she was leaving. They were fine when we got home.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in San Rafael is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - San Rafael
Wish I could give Laura 10 stars! She was super flexible with the schedule, gave lots of love to the dogs and left my home completely spotless after a 9 day sit. I could tell from the first meet and greet that she was going to be fantastic just from the questions she asked. I am very very happy with the services she provided and it made my vacation more enjoyable knowing my dogs were in good hands. I would love to book with Laura again!
We had a very complicated booking, due to last minute changes that were out of our control. Parke was understanding, flexible, reliable, and took phenomenal care of our two busy Doodles. One required daily medication, and Parke did not let us down. Daily check ins were appreciated and very reassuring. We arrived home to find two happy, healthy pups, Five stars isn’t enough! Thank you again, Parke! We will definitely be re-booking with you!
Pat was wonderful! She radiates calm, and our nervous dog immediately liked her, which is genuinely unusual. She's also friendly and fun to talk to, which is a plus for the owners! She was fine with giving medications to our dog who is still recovering from CCL surgery, and with keeping him quiet in general. She kept us up-to-date with texts and photos, and the house was spotless. She was the perfect person for our pup.
Talia did such an amazing job taking care of my beautiful dog Phoenix and my sweet little cat Sadie while I was on vacation in Michigan with my family. Phoenix got lots of exercise and hiking adventures and Sadie got lots of love. Talia was very communicative with me and sent photos of my sweet pets regularly, and my home was spotless when I returned. Would definitely ask Talia to watch my pets again. Five stars! Can’t recommend her highly enough.
Imani took great care of my puppy, adult cat and home. She sent me regular updates and photos and was really accommodating about the ongoing renovation project which meant workers were coming and going from the house. I highly recommend Imani and look forward to hiring her again.
I am so glad I found Lydia. She went above and beyond. She even helped my sister when she needed to find some things at the apt for me. She sent photos and updates everyday. She took Rosco for a lot of walks, out to the park and to run errands with her. I really feel like she treated him like her own pup.
Cory has taken care of my "easy" dog, Ginger, before. Then I double down and asked her to dog-sit both my dogs. Pepper is lovely... but a bit spicy with other dogs and has a prey drive that doesn't quit. All went well, and I returned home to two happy and healthy pups:-)
We’ve used Samantha several times now for both pet sitting and house sitting, and she has been absolutely wonderful every time. Our elderly dog Trixie requires a little extra care and attention, and Samantha is so patient, attentive, and loving with her. It gives us such peace of mind knowing Trixie is in such good hands while we’re away. What really amazed us is that she even managed to win over our very shy cat, Noah, who normally hides from everyone. The fact that he comes out for her says everything. She’s reliable, communicative, thoughtful, and clearly genuinely cares about the animals she watches. We always come home to happy pets and a well cared for house. We highly recommend her!
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 Rafael
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in San Rafael average 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - San Rafael
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for House Sitting in San Rafael on Rover is $77.4 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 7,247 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across San Rafael. 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 Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael. On Rover:
- 93% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 94% 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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