Cat Sitting Santa Cruz
Book a cat sitter to stop by your home to feed and play with your cat.
Over 253 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked cat sitting
Santa Cruz, Find top rated cat sitting
Prices are estimates per visit for 1 cat. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
About: Caring for animals has always been part of my life. I grew up surrounded by pets of all kinds, including dogs, cats, birds with feathers, fish with fins, and even those with scales. That early exposure gave me a deep comfort and appreciation for animals of every personality and species. I am recently retired, which gives me the flexibility to be fully present and available for pet care when needed. My schedule allows me to accommodate walks, drop-ins, overnights, and extended stays without the constraints of a traditional workday. This flexibility means your pets receive consistent attention, timely care, and a calm, unhurried presence while you are away. When caring for pets in my home, they become part of an active, dog-friendly neighborhood with plenty to explore. I live just 1.5 blocks from the beach and close to great walking spots like Arana Gulch, the park at the end of Schwan Lake, and a nearby dog park only minutes away. Dogs in my care enjoy fresh air, fun walks, and plenty of playtime balanced with calm downtime at home. When caring for pets in a client’s home, I focus on maintaining their normal routines so they feel safe and comfortable in familiar surroundings.
About: I have taken care of all kinds of pets for as long as I can remember. I am a go to pet sitter for all of my family, friends, and others I am recommended to. I am currently a full time student. I can take care of your pets before, between, and after classes. I have plenty of time to make at home visits and plenty of time for walks/enrichment! I do not have any pets here in Santa Cruz, but my first priority is ensuring your pets are safe and well taken care of!
About: I've lived with and cared for cats and dogs my whole life. I have experience with senior cats, one of which was diabetic and required daily insulin. I'm comfortable giving medication and love spending time with animals! I’m a quick learner and will stick to the animals routine. I’m currently a student, but I’d love to spend more time with cats and dogs throughout my week! My class schedule is flexible, so I have plenty of time to take care of you pets! I am attentive and do my best accommodate the pet's needs. I am able to spend time outside with pets (if needed), and will stick to the pet's normal routine.
About: I’ve taken care of neighbors’ and family members’ pets since I was little, and been a reliable and trustworthy caretaker. I have been caring for dogs for five years, including elderly, deaf, and blind dogs. I understand the nuance to earning trust of shy or elderly pets. I have always loved animals and I have repeat clients that find me reliable and loved by their pets. My schedule is very open right now, so I have plenty of time to spend with your pets and give them the attention and love they deserve. I have pets of my own at my home where I live with my parents, so I will care for your pets in your home, either staying at the house or doing drop-ins. I am clean and respectful and I love spending time with animals, respecting and getting to know them on their terms.
“Lupita was great, taking care of my cats while I was away. She sent update photos and videos, letting me know when she was there and who she saw, which was very reassuring. I would definitely see if Lupita is available when going out of town again.”
“Evelyn was great, and so happy we were able to find her even last minute. She communicated promptly and often. Smoke (our cat) seemed to love her immediately and he has discerning taste. Got all the pets and cuddles, was fed, dealt with his cat litter. Loved all the pics and videos in the check-in. Couldn't ask for anything more when you are leaving your pet in the care of someone else.”
About: I’m a 21 year old college graduate looking to fulfill her hopes of pet setting once again! Being a full time student meant busy weeks, leaving no time for pet care. Something I actively did before transferring to UCSC. But with this newfound, post-graduate freedom, I’m eager to get back into the gig. Besides caring for my own kitties, I’ve worked with 7 clients over the past four years. All of which have been dog sitting gigs, with one job including an additional 3 cats (if that makes sense haha). And in my time as a sitter I’ve had four consistent clients. Additionally, I’m more than willing to sit for most dogs/ cats regardless of age, size, energy level, etc. It is my job (and such a privilege) to ensure their needs are met! Worth a mention - I’ve not had any experience in pet training, but I’m committed to being the best companion to the little loves! I can’t wait to connect with you and your fur-babies! I’m hoping to fill my week days (which are fairly open as of late) with pet care! Connecting with animals is truly such a rewarding job. Knowing I can make your life easier, and also that your pets are happy fills my heart with oodles of joy. My housing agreement unfortunately states that I can’t allow pets on to the premises. However, I’m extremely comfortable staying in/ visiting other spaces. Being respectful of your space is one of my top priorities.
About: I’ve grown up around dogs and have always loved taking care of them. I currently have three dogs of my own, so I’m very comfortable with the responsibility that comes with caring for dogs. I’ve also spent a lot of time caring for my family’s and friends’ dogs over the years. I’m responsible, patient, and attentive, and I’ll make sure your dog feels safe, comfortable, and well cared for while you’re away. On weekdays, I’m available before work until around 4 PM and again after work around 8:30–9 PM. On weekends, I’m available before 2 PM and after 9:30 PM. I’m happy to plan ahead around your pet’s routine and make sure they get the care, attention, feeding, walks, and potty breaks they need. When I care for your pet in your home, my goal is to make sure they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while you’re away. I’ll follow your pet’s usual routine and any instructions you leave for me, whether that’s feeding, walks, potty breaks, playtime, or anything else they need. I’ll treat your home with respect, make sure doors and gates are secure, and leave everything clean and as I found it. I’ll also keep you updated so you can feel confident knowing your pet is in good hands.
“Mámoo is absolutely wonderful with Kato (my high-energy female husky). It’s easy to see the care and enthusiasm they bring to every visit. Kato gets excited as soon as she sees them. Mámoo plays, runs, and engages with her in a way that matches her energy. It’s clear they enjoy spending time together. I am confident Kato is in such loving hands and capable hands.”
About: I have taken care of both dogs since I was 12 and I am now almost 22 so I have 10 years of experience caring for dogs. I love dogs so much and have always had one of my own and have experience taking care of older dogs particular, but have walked and sat for dogs of all different ages and energy levels. I am a very active person and a runner, so I can also take your dogs on runs ranging from 2-10 miles. I work in the mornings from 8-1 at a day care and am ready and able to care for your pets anytime before or after those times on Sunday-Friday and some occasional Saturdays. I do not care for pets in my own, but I will provide attentive, loving care to your pets in your own home. I am great at following the directions you will give me about your pets and bring both playfulness and responsibility into my help with your pets.
“Jennifer was amazing with our cat Maca! From the start, she was super sweet and easy to communicate with. She went above and beyond every day — sending us updates, photos, and making sure Maca was happy and taken care of. It was such a relief knowing our kitty was in good hands while we were away. Maca is a shy cat with new people and we really appreciated Jennifer’s patience in making her feel comfortable and gaining her trust while we were gone. We would 100% book again with Jennifer and highly recommend!”
About: I currently have 5 amazing big dogs that I’ve been taking care of since I was in middle school. I am patient, responsible, friendly, and caring. I am available for pet walking and drop ins Monday through Thursday at any time just before 4pm! I am also available every other weekend! I have 5 dogs myself who I care for everyday. I run or walk them multiple times a week and play with them at the house!
About: I’ve always had dogs and cats growing up. Being with animals is a passion of mine! I am currently working at Animal Hospital of Soquel as a kennel tech. I Wouldn’t mind caring for other kinds of pets! I am currently working at Animal Hospital of Soquel as a receptionist, currently working Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, they are 8 hour shifts, if this schedule works for you, awesome! I will update my schedule as much as I can! 🫶✨ If you have a certain schedule you follow at home, I can follow that no problem! Just let me know what needs to be done and I can do that for ya!
About: Hi there! I love dogs and would love to have one of my own but have to settle for dog sitting since I don’t have a big place for any right now. I have had my account rover account in the past that I’d be happy to share. Made a new account since sin moving locations. Please reach out with any questions! I’m part-time in college, so I have plenty of time. I’m free basically all day everyday. I’d be happy to dedicate my time to your cutie :). I enjoy taking long walks, which I’m sure your fur baby would be happy to tag along. In your house, I can drop by whenever you need, or even stay for long periods of time if needed.
About: I have had cats my whole life and currently have two kittens here in Santa Cruz, as well as two cats that live with my family in my hometown of Chicago! I absolutely adore dogs as well and have been walking and caring for friends’ dogs since I was a kid. As a runner and student-athlete, I am very active and have plenty of energy for long walks and playtime! I am a student-athlete on the cross country and track teams at UCSC. I typically have practice in the mornings, which leaves me with plenty of availability in the afternoons and evenings. My schedule allows me to dedicate plenty of time and attention to caring for your pets! When I take care of pets, I am sure to follow all instructions carefully and care for them with love. I make sure they are fed, have fresh water, get plenty of attention and exercise, and are kept safe and comfortable. I also keep owners updated and let them know if I notice anything unusual.
“Kim was great with my senior kitty! She came prepared at the meet and greet and I knew my cat was in good hands while I was gone. She was communicative and kept me updated after every drop in visit. I highly recommend Kim!”
The median cost per visit for cat sitting in Santa Cruz is $30
Cat parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Anna was great! She checked in on our cat over several days and did an amazing job keeping up with her special diet and making sure her space stayed clean and she was happy and healthy. She was always prompt, kept us updated after every visit, and sent lots of great photos. We came home to a very happy cat and would definitely book again!
I'm so grateful we found Jasmine! I felt very safe leaving our pets and home in her care during a longer oversees trip. She is an excellent communicator, and has lots of experience with lots of animals and was confident with my picky eater and a cat who needed medication. She even ended up dealing with an ant infestation, and was resourceful and professional. We'll definitely work with her again.
Dylan was great looking after our pets while we were away on holiday. He’s a great communicator, we received daily updates, and he was very consistent with their care. Our dogs immediately liked him, and he took them on daily walks. Even our shy cat and moody rabbit warmed up to him. We felt at ease during our holiday, knowing our pets were safe and well taken care of. We look forward to using Dylan’s services in the future again, and would recommend him to other pet owners.
Kit took great care of our two cats! She met with us beforehand to review everything, communicated well throughout our trip, and sent lots of photos to keep us connected. I would definitely recommend Kit to anyone looking for a reliable and caring pet sitter.
We were delighted to have Scotia cat sit our new young cats while we were on a trip. She previously provided excellent care for our senior cat so we knew she would be easy to work with, reliable, and sensitive to the cats’ needs and personalities. She won over both our cats even though they can be nervous around new people.
Nicole took care of my cats when I had to go out of town last minute for Memorial Day weekend. She arrived each evening to feed them, clean the litter box, play, and fill their waters. She was prompt and kept everything clean, and she even got my super shy kitty to come out and play & made sure he ate! I would definitely recommend booking Nicole if you need pet care.
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 cats like family
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer cat sitting
2. Meet In Person
Schedule a free in-person Meet & Greet to find the perfect fit
3. Book & Pay
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Popular requests for cat sitting - Santa Cruz
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering cat sitting.Sitters in Santa Cruz average 6 repeat cat sitting clients
FAQs for Drop-In Visits - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for Cat Sitting in Santa Cruz on Rover is $22.2 per visit (as of September 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of Cat 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 Cat Sitting. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of September 2026, there are 2,349 sitters on Rover offering Cat Sitting across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Cat sitters on Rover care for your cats’ needs and can spend quality time with them, including activities like feeding, playing, and refreshing their water and litter boxes. Depending on your arrangement, you can schedule as many visits per day as your cat needs or find a sitter who can stay at your house overnight. Some sitters also board cats in their home.
House sitting can be ideal for cats who need socialization or care that lasts longer than a few hours. Your cat stays in their own home, on their own schedule, with care based on what you and your sitter agree on together.
Many pet parents provide a spare key or arrange a lockbox. You can also exchange keys during the Meet & Greet and show your walker how to use digital fobs or personalized codes. It helps to arrange access to your home, from spare keys to concierge introductions, before pet care begins.
If you live in an apartment or condo, don’t forget to discuss details like buzzer access, codes, or elevator etiquette. These details can help a pet sitter feel more comfortable going in and out of your building.
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 .
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.
A Meet & Greet is a short introductory meeting between you, your cat, 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.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Santa Cruz. On Rover:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 96% 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.
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.
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