House Sitting Santa Barbara
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 632 pet parents in Santa Barbara have booked house sitting
Santa Barbara, 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%.
“Neyda was great. We couldn’t be happier with the level of care she provided to our puppies and our home. My trip was so stress free with her updates, pictures, and videos. She is super respectful and caring. I hope my puppies will be able to hang with Neyda in the future!”
About: I've cared for and lived with dogs of different sizes, ages, and energy levels. I currently own a 5 y/o small dog, Olive, who I regularly go on hikes and do agility training with. I'm highly organized, patient, and detailed-oriented. For every walk and visit, I always take thorough, precise notes to ensure the pups are comfortable, safe, and having an enjoyable time with me. While I love spoiling other people's dogs, I always ask for explicit permission before introducing new treats, routes, or activities. I'm particularly experienced with shy, anxious, and rescue dogs. Because I'm naturally quiet and calm, sensitive dogs tend to feel safe and warm up to me quickly. I am a PhD student in Communication currently writing my dissertation. I work entirely from home with a flexible schedule. I set my own working hours every day, and I can easily make time for walks or visits to meet your needs. I focus on creating a safe, structured, and emotionally consistent space to build trust and respect with the pets I care for. To me, it's important to treat other people's pet the way I want my pet to be treated, and to recognize that each pet is a unique individual. Generally, I maintain your exact routine for feeding, playtime, and walks. That said, every pet has distinct needs. Beyond just strictly sticking to plans, I always monitor their body language and behaviors to make sure they are comfortable, communicating with you to make adjustments along the way.
About: I’ve been pet sitting for friends for years. I’ve learned that pets have different needs and try to keep their routine as normal as possible. I work full time Mon-Fri but would be available to visit and provide care afterwards. I am flexible and available most weekends. Open to overnights. I respect the home I’m visiting and will only access areas that are permitted. I also follow provided instructions to ensure pets don’t get stressed.
“I am giving Rover.Com & Lisa 10+ STARS. Lisa loves animals. Our dog, Winston, had a good time with Scout (Lisa's puppy). They had a blast together. Winston is a Portuguese Water Dog (55 lbs) and loves people & other dogs. Winston stayed at Lisa's place, not at our home, because we were having our daughter's wedding in a destination place. Our home was far away, and we wanted Winston to go on the 5 hour drive with us and stay near by the wedding site. So, I went on Rover and asked to locate someone in Carpinteria. I found Lisa from Rover.Com living just up the road from the wedding site. Lisa took Winston and Scout to the beach, the park, everywhere and I do not think they were ever bored. Winston had a great time. Lisa always sent photos, and she always responded immediately if you text her. Our beach house rental did not allow pets, so Lisa was my rescue. Winston was just 8 minutes away from where we were staying. It was perfect. Breathtaking surroundings where Winston stayed. Winston and I thank you so very much. You made myself and my family feel comfortable leaving Winston with you while we were busy planning the wedding. You are the BEST. - nancy-”
“Julia was fantastic with Brix! He can be a little anxious around new people, but he warmed right up to her and seemed so happy and comfortable the whole weekend. We loved the updates and photos she sent throughout our trip—it was great knowing he was in such good hands. She also left our house spotless, which we really appreciated. Thanks so much Julia!!”
About: Hi, my name is Basilia, I also go by Juno. I have grown up around dogs all my life. I have experience house/dog sitting for my friends and neighbors in high-school, and even more experience taking care of my families big dogs. Further, I have some experience taking care of senior dogs, as my late Akita spent nearly 5 years on intensive medication. I love playing with dogs, taking them on walks, going to the dog park, and making life good in the safety of their own homes. I’m a student at Santa Barbara City College, but my flexible schedule allows me to spend plenty of time with your animals! I have at least 2-4 hours a day available to spend playing with, walking, or otherwise taking care of your babies. I prioritize pet safety in my care. I listen carefully to your rules about where the animal is/isn’t allowed to go, and can provide intensive support for your animals. I make sure to spend time building trust with the animal using treats or soothing methods upon meeting them, so that they feel safe and comfortable around me.
“Cheryl was a wonderful pet sitter. She was very caring to all my pets and my home! I work from home so my pets are used to having someone around. Cheryl gave them the presence and attention they were used to. I highly recommend her.”
“I would give Leo 10 stars if I could! I had been looking for a pet sitter who could give care and attention to a small older dog. Someone who would understand the elderly and could communicate with them. From the moment he first visited, Enzo loved him. Leo is very talented at knowing how to "connect" with a dog and is incredibly detailed. He followed everything I asked to the letter. I was gone for 7 days and was out of cell phone range, yet knew I could trust Leo completely to care for Enzo. I will definitely book with Leo again.”
“Solomia was excellent with our pups! She cared for them as if they were here own. We could enjoy our friends wedding out of state with no worries as we knew she was there.”
“Lana was very attentive and easy to work with. Got plenty of pics of my pup having the best time at home and around town! Exactly the kind of care I'd hoped he'd get”
About: I've always loved animals. I have two dogs of my own. As a dog walker, I am careful and put safety first, as I do with my own dogs. I am detailed oriented so if you give me specific directions, I'm going to execute accordingly. I am patient and flexible and respond well to the unexpected. I am reliable and hold my word with the utmost integrity. I practice positive reinforcement when working with dogs. I believe in the importance of dog socialization and regular exercise and think that long walks are so important. While we all have jobs, I'm excited to help you relieve any anxiety and give your doggy the care and attention she/he needs. I look forward to sharing my love with your doggy companion! <3 I have two dogs (a large and a medium size dog) but am in Santa Barbara working toward a PhD so my doggies are at home in San Francisco with my partner. On the upside, I have very flexible schedule, lots of love and care to give to dogs, and lots of experience with working with dogs! My home is dog friendly. My first dog used to live in Santa Barbara with me but once we got our second dog, we decided to keep them in San Francisco, where they have more space. I am a PhD student, therefore my apartment's size is proportionate with my meager PhD income. But, I live right next to beach and trail access. I also have a car with dog friendly seatbelt to take dogs to farther parks and hikes. I have a love for all animals, and treat all animals with care and attention. This is the same attention I will give to your pet. I'm used to active dogs, dogs needing medical care or strict schedule, anxious dogs, and am always willing to learn on the job!
“Chrystal is awesome! She was so sweet with our senior dog, Charlie, and took such good care of him. She even brought him some homemade treats! She ensured she had plenty of time for our meet and greet, so I'd have a chance to get to know her a little before committing to having her care for Charlie in our home. I really appreciated that. She was very respectful and flexible, and checked in about our return time, to make sure Charlie would have the care he needed if we returned later than expected.”
“Ellie was amazing with my kitty and senior doggo. She listened with care to all of my care instructions, sent detailed updates everyday, and was so gentle and caring with my girls. My senior dog struggles with incontinence and some medical issues, and Ellie helped her with grace and empathy. She met all of their needs and more, spending time in the sun with the girls and and offering pets and cuddles. She was also super responsive and flexible when I had some flight delays impacting my return, and had my place clean and tidy upon my return. 11/10, would recommend!”
“Capri was amazing with our Pomeranian Sunny! She was available on short notice and took great care of him. She's helpful, kind and detail oriented. He's anxious and she made him feel right at home with her. Our family was able to go on a whale watching adventure because of her help. We highly recommend her. Thank you, Capri!”
“I highly recommend Mike to come to your home and take care of your pets. I was gone for two weeks and he made sure my dog was safe, healthy and happy. I will definately be asking Mike again in the future.”
“Another great job by Debra. She left the house clean and our dog appeared to be well taken care of. Debra was accommodating/flexible with our start time and willing to get up early with our senior dog. She also sent updates and was quick to respond. Thank you!”
“Chase was amazing! You can tell right away that he has a way with animals and puts a lot of care into making sure that you and they are comfortable. He sent regular updates with cute videos and pictures so that we could see what everyone was up to. I could tell that Benny had such a great time with him. I can’t recommend Chase enough!”
The median cost per night for house sitting in Santa Barbara is $73
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Barbara
Hannah was great with our dog who is very old and has some health problems. We didn’t want to just leave her with anyone. But Hannah has a lot of experience with dogs. She was very sweet and responsive, respectful and our dog liked her! I would definitely use her again.
Mikyla (Kayla) was amazing with our Pomeranian, Sunny. She helped us out on short notice when we went on a long day trip. She came over to meet before which made me feel at ease. Sunny is a dog who needs comfort and someone is attentive. Kayla took notes when we met about Sunny's routine, and on the day of sent lots of updates and cute photos. We were so grateful for her help. Would highly recommend her!
Leo was absolutely incredible with our dog, and we couldn't have asked for a better sitter. He stayed at our house for a week with our 85-pound pit bull, who is the sweetest lovebug but also comes with a lot of... personality. He's incredibly strong, has the energy of a toddler on steroids, loves to jump on people, has no concept of personal space, and struggles with separation anxiety after being a COVID puppy. He's definitely not the easiest dog to care for. Leo handled all of our dog's quirks and special needs with patience, kindness, and confidence. He kept us updated throughout the week with lots of photos and messages, which gave us so much peace of mind and allowed us to truly relax and enjoy our trip knowing our dog was in such great hands. In the past, we've limited our travel to trips where we could bring our dog because we worried about leaving him with someone else. Finding Leo has been such a huge relief, and it's opened up so many more possibilities for us. We won't hesitate to book him again and highly recommend him to anyone looking for someone who will genuinely care for their pet.
Suzanne was everything you’d want in a dog sitter—a lifetime of experience with animals, including emergency care—she’s responsible, a good communicator, and great with the dogs. I left my home and precious pups without a worry. A good dog sitter has to be about more than your dogs liking them. Suzanne’s background with animals, her wealth of knowledge and decades of experience make her the ideal pet sitter.
CAITLIN is the BEST!! We have two dogs and two bunnies- the bunnies are chill, the dogs not so much. Caitlin however won them over instantly and they ADORE her. I feel so at ease and relaxed when Caitlin is caring for our fur family. She sends lots of pics and truly treats them as if they were her own. The house always looks immaculate when we return. Highly recommend!
We just had Zoey stay at our house for three nights with our big dog - she was AMAZING! Flexible, thoughtful, punctual, communicative, respectful, responsible… The list goes on! She really went above and beyond, and totally exceeded our expectations. We felt so comfortable and relaxed being away, knowing that Zoey was going to be there with our girl. She’s a natural “dog person” too, very gentle and kind, caring for our dog like she was her own. We will be eager to have her back whenever we leave town next! Thank you, Zoey!
Chloe was wonderful with Artimus. She was super communicative the whole time, sent photos throughout, and clearly took great care of him with plenty of walks. She was on time, respectful of the house, and left everything clean. We look forward to booking with her again!
Anela was wonderful with our two dogs. Detail oriented and thoughtful about all of their needs. She followed all of my instructions carefully which involved a lot of medications for one of my dogs. She left everything clean and tidy following a two night stay. She is on the younger side but very responsible. I highly recommend her.
This was my first time hiring Bekah to sit for my dog and she did a great job. I came home to a relaxed border collie which speaks volumes about the care she received. Bekah is communitive, prompt, and respectful. And she left the house clean! I will definitely be using her again.
We needed someone to care for our super senior 17 year old that needs multiple oral medications, to be carried up and down steps, and occasionally has accidents in the house and Madison was up for the task for all of it. She took great care of our pup and our home while she stayed here. She was communicative, punctual and responsible. We will definitely use her again in the future.
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?
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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 - Santa Barbara
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Santa Barbara average 3 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Santa Barbara
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for House Sitting in Santa Barbara on Rover is $61.3 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 851 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara. On Rover:
- 97% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 99% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 99% 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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