Dog Boarding Santa Cruz
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 710 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked dog boarding
Santa Cruz, 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%.
“Nancy is awesome. I had my dog Colby stay with her for a weekend. Nancy and her family treated us like family and went completely above and beyond. She is absolutely sweet but also incredibly professional. 100% recommend. Colby is going to stay with her again soon.”
“We arrived for a trip to Santa Cruz and found out our Roz was not allowed at the hotel due to her size. We started searching local pet hospitals, dog walkers, boarding facilities and the only place that could take her was all the way back in Santa Clara. As a last resort we checked Rover and Meghan came through for us. In the end Roz probably had as much fun as we did with her new friends during our weekend in Santa Cruz. Thanks Meghan!”
“Cynthia was a wonderful sitter for my Esta girl. We had a meet & greet before hand. She was friendly & lovely. She was flexible with drop off and pick up times. She communicated & sent pictures during our trip. We will definitely rebook soon!”
“Leo was so good with my Ice Bear. I was updated with her daily activities and received pictures as well. I felt reassured that my baby was in good hands. I would love to have Ice Bear stay with Leo again. Thank you.”
About: I’ve had dogs all my life and have dog walked, house sat for dogs, and helped trained my sister’s puppy. I share a special bond with dogs! I currently am only working part-time, so I will be able to be very attentive with the dog. I can take for multiple walks a day, be active, and even help train more. I live in a condo at the moment with no yard, so I will mostly be taking them for walks or find ways to be active outside of the home. I can crate them in your home if needed, and won’t let them in furniture or beds.
“Susie was very informative, responsive and kind. She sent lots of pictures and updates which helped feeling comfortable with a new sitter for my grandpup. Milo was very well taken care of and we already have her booked for upcoming dates. I strongly recommend her to sit, walk or care for your pet.”
About: Growing up lifelong surrounded by dogs of all ages, I learned to listen to animals and understand their needs as well as ensuring they listen to me and have a happy, healthy time in care. I'm working part time and moving into my apartment, so I'll have lots of time to spend meeting dogs' needs and taking them on walks along the natural routes near my place. I live in a pretty calm conflict-free setting with no children or other dogs to cause stress on anxious pups. I spend a lot of time walking around and I love having a furry friend to join me!
“Robin is experienced taking care of animals and she took great care of Felix, hey home and family provided a warm environment where our dog thrived. I wholeheartedly reccomend Robin as your pet sitter!”
“Maverick loves staying here! They do a great job taking care of our needy pup and their dog scout is quickly becoming his best friend! They are always our first choice for watching our dog!”
“Elizabeth is great! Always responsive and keeps me up to date how my doggie is doing. She was able to help me out of a jam where an incident caused me to run over my time to pick up. She worked with me and made sure everything was okay. I’ll be using her again. Recommended 10/10”
“Teresa was so kind and energetic. She sent us pictures of Otoro the whole time we were gone - he went to walks and hikes and played and came back tired (in the best way!) I will definitely be booking with Teresa again the next time we are looking for someone to hang out with Otoro!”
“My dog loved her stay with Shannon! Shannon was very communicative, providing updates and pictures throughout the stay. We’re looking forward to boarding our pup with her again soon.”
“Marta took wonderful care of our dog while we were out of the country for one week. He experienced a health issue when we were away, and Marta handled it with careful attention. She worked hard to make sure our boy was comfortable and at ease. She administered medication with confidence and communicated clearly with us as to how he was doing each day. I am thankful that we found Marta and recommend her to anyone looking for a capable, kind, dog-loving caretaker.”
About: Hello! I am a 26 year old grad student attending Santa Clara University pursuing a counseling degree. I have grown up with dogs and currently co-parent a 3 year old pit mix, Levi! I have had extensive experience caring for various breeds, from big (Dobermans, pits, labs) to small (Jack russels, Shiba Inus, etc.)! I am experienced with senior dog care and young puppy care. I am open to getting to know your pups schedule, taking them on walks, and providing longer term care for vacations. I am excited to meet you and your pup! I currently work part time from 10am-6pm Wednesdays through Fridays. I am available anytime Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday and mornings/late evenings Wednesdays through Fridays! I have grown up with cats and dogs, and am experienced with maintaining safety on walks and during overnight stays. I have my own 2 bedroom apartment that I share with my partner, Matt, where I can board your pets as well!
“Roxy got so much love from Jenna’s family. I could tell how happy she was around them and she was actually really sad to leave! I hope next time we’re in the area Roxy can see her friends again. Thanks so much.”
“Ceili took great care of our dog, Willy, over the Fourth of July weekend. She was wonderful to work with—very responsive whenever we had questions and kept us updated throughout his stay. Willy had a great time with her, and it was clear he was well cared for. She was also incredibly accommodating when our plans changed slightly, which we really appreciated. We’d absolutely trust her with Willy again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable and caring Rover sitter!”
“Bianca was super flexible and patience with my dogs. We had two dogs that don’t get along well with one another and she graciously was willing to host both dogs. The dogs came back happy and slept as soon as they came home! My dogs have never been officially dog sat before so she made us feel comfortable and at ease while she was dog sitting. Highly recommend booking with her!”
“Kathleen and her family are an absolute dream! Our puppy was so well cared for, getting lots of love and exercise. Kathleen sent pictures and updates often. I could immediately tell our dog had a great time with Kathleen. I would recommend Kathleen over and over, and we can’t wait to continue having Kathleen in our lives.”
About: I’ve had dogs in my life for 30 years. I’ve been dog sitting for friends and family for over 20 years. My own dogs have graduated top of their class in puppy training school. I currently work from home, so I can arrange my schedule to make sure dogs in my care get all the love, affection, and attention they need and deserve. I have a small fenced in yard, good for small and medium dogs. My dog is friendly and even shares some toys. I can crate your dog if preferred. I am also within walking distance to a dog park, and an easy drive to dog beaches
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $70
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Nancy and Lance are the kindest sweetest people. My little dog Clover looks foward to her stay and always has so much fun playing with their dogs Lucy and Phoebe. Nancy is always quick to respond, sends pics/video, and treats Clover as her own. I'm lucky to have them as our dog sitters. Thank you Nancy and Lance!
We arrived for a trip to Santa Cruz and found out our Roz was not allowed at the hotel due to her size. We started searching local pet hospitals, dog walkers, boarding facilities and the only place that could take her was all the way back in Santa Clara. As a last resort we checked Rover and Meghan came through for us. In the end Roz probably had as much fun as we did with her new friends during our weekend in Santa Cruz. Thanks Meghan!
Teresa is an amazing dog sitter! Our senior dog was so well cared for while we were gone. We got lots of updates and pictures and I’m 100% sure our dog didn’t want to come home. Teresa went above and beyond, absolutely would recommend her to anyone. A million stars!
I couldn't bring Betsy to the retreat I went on and was relieved to have Yajaira available to take care of my senior (14 years old) fur baby. Betsy is a Momma's Girl and fusses when I'm not with her, but after some adjustment, Yajaira won her over. Thank you Yajaira! Kathybelle
Britt took such great care of Bailey during his stay! He made sure Bailey got plenty of playtime, took him on some great walks, and, most importantly, gave him lots of love and cuddles while we were away. It gave us so much peace of mind knowing he was in such good hands. We would absolutely book with Britt again and highly recommend him to anyone looking for boarding!
This was our first time booking with Arielle, and we would do so again! She made sure to exercise our dog every day whether through beach runs or going to the park, and sent us daily pictures and updates which we really appreciated! Kola clearly loves her and we are so thankful.
Our fur baby left super happy and not wanting to leave Amy. Super happy and very stoked that she could even watch our pup on Christmas. Our dog seemed well rested, cared for, and healthy when we came to pick him up and he has a good deal of separation anxiety so it made us feel very relieved to see him doing well with Amy for a few days. So grateful! Thanks again Amy!
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 dogs like family
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Popular requests for dog boarding - Santa Cruz
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog boarding.Sitters in Santa Cruz average 10 repeat dog boarding clients
FAQs for Boarding - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for Dog Boarding in Santa Cruz on Rover is $55.5 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 Dog Boarding 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 Dog Boarding. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of August 2026, there are 2,264 sitters on Rover offering Dog Boarding across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Every sitter on Rover has their own rhythm and routine, but most will follow the flow that keeps your dog happiest. Sitters can give meals on your dog's regular schedule, provide a comfortable place for sleep, and plenty of one-on-one attention.
92% of Santa Cruz sitters also include daily walks in the neighborhood during dog boarding stays. You can also request photo and message updates throughout the stay so you can see which Santa Cruz landmarks or neighborhoods your dog is enjoying.
If your dog is a little shy, consider booking a one-night trial stay! This practice run can boost your and your dog’s confidence before your trip.
Preparing for drop-off is easy when you have a checklist! To help your dog settle into their Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.
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.
You and your Santa Cruz 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.
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