Dog Boarding Santa Cruz
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 655 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%.
“So grateful for Nancy (and Lance!) for their care for my little guy. This was my first time leaving him with someone other than family (he’s got his quirks!) and Nancy instantly put me at ease. I actually felt relaxed on vacation for the first time since adopting him! She sent updates throughout and paid attention to detail. Five stars are not enough. Thank you thank you Nancy and Lance !!!”
“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.”
“Wow simply amazing. Meghan is so kind and took incredible care of my dog Luna. I received multiple updates with photos and it brought me peace of mind since this was my first Rover experience. She took her on several walks and made Luna feel comfortable. I would absolutely recommend Meghan and I’m incredibly thankful she was able to watch Luna on such short notice.”
About: I’m Cynthia, your go-to pet sitter for personalized, worry-free care. With years of experience across breeds and ages, I offer walks, play, feeding, medication management, and peace of mind through photo updates and open communication. Available for in-home visits or boarding in a loving, secure environment. I'm currently working PT and have time in early morning and evening to walk dogs and care for cats. I'm usually home by 3pm every day so I will have plenty of time to socialize with your pets. My place is a duplex with a fenced yard and 2 bedrooms, so your pet can stay in their own room. I'm also available to stay at owner's house if that is preferred.
“Mike & Patty are great!!! We left our dog Buzz for the first time with someone else, and they took fabulous care of him, and our dog is spoiled at home, and has his quirks. We got daily updates, and photos, I will definitely be asking them to take care of Buzz again in the future - thanks so much Patty & Mike!”
“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.”
“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.”
“Faith was a GREAT dog sitter! Buster stayed with Faith and her two cute dogs. Buster came home happy from playing with his new friends. Faith sent me pictures of Buster while at her home. I would hire Faith again in a second! Thank you, Faith!”
“Elizabeth and Coco were so welcoming to Rocky. I appreciate Elizabeth's flexibility in watching Rocky while I attended a wedding nearby. She was in regular communication about how Rocky adjusted, and sent pics of her cuddling with both dogs. She took great care of my little guy. She lives in a beautiful beach home.”
“Hannah was great either way my senior dog! She was very accommodating and took great care of Sally! Hannah played games and took walks with my dog and consistently updated with pictures and videos! I will use Hannah in the future and would highly recommend for others.”
“Jenna took such good care of my dog while I traveled for the weekend! She was great about sending me lots of updates, confirming that he ate his medications, and giving him walks. My dog looked very cozy and happy in all the photos that were shared!”
“Shannon treated my dog like family, taking him on fun walks and hanging out on the deck. She’s fantastic at communication and sent pictures of their adventures. We will definitely book again. Highly recommend.”
“Blue really enjoyed his stay with Tyler and Bowie. Initially Blue can be a bit fearful of walking with new people but Tyler and Bowie helped him overcome his anxiety. I'm definitely going to have Blue stay with Tyler again.”
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!
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
“Ceili took such good care of my dog while I was away and kept me updated with pictures and what they were doing throughout each day. She even took her to the dog park and to get a pup cup. My dog is very anxious, but seemed really comfortable around here. 10/10 would recommend her and use her again!”
“Julia was amazing! We received daily updates and photos. Harry quickly adapted to Julia's home. He went on daily excursions and was given lots of affection, scratches, pets, and companionship. Harry was clearly at ease when we picked him up. Highly recommend Julia!”
“Hannah was amazing. She was able to accommodate us last minute for a holiday weekend. She sent us updates along with videos of Archer doing all his favorite activities. We know he was in great hands and will definitely call her for any future needs”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $70
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
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
Nancy's home was the perfect place for my at times little nervous Nelly chihuahua. Cholula was greeted by other fur babies that were friendly and just put her at ease. Nancy made sure she had all of Cholula's meds and food prep. A wonderful home away from home for Cholula. Thank you Nancy!!🥰
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
1. Search
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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 $57 per night (as of July 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 July 2026, there are 2,250 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.
93% 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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