Dog Boarding Santa Cruz
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 691 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 took care of our little dog, Chauncey, for ten days and went above and beyond for him! He is very skittish, but she is so kind, gentle and compassionate that he loved her and followed her everywhere. She knew Chauncey would sleep best if his dog bed was right next to her bed, so she made room for him there. She gave him his medication at night and also kept a careful eye out for bees, since he is very allergic to them. Chauncey enjoyed spending time with Nancy and her dogs, and we could enjoy our vacation knowing that he was in a great home, with the nicest person, receiving excellent care.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
About: I’ve been caring for dogs for over 10 years, including many different breeds, sizes, and personalities. I’ve helped with everything from walks, playtime, feeding, and giving plenty of love and attention to keeping dogs comfortable and on their normal routines. I’m dependable, patient, and treat every dog like they’re my own. I understand that every pup has different needs, and I’m happy to follow their routines and make sure they feel safe, happy, and cared for while you’re away. I have a very flexible schedule and plenty of availability to give pets the attention they deserve. I currently work one day a week, so I’m able to accommodate different schedules and spend lots of quality time with the dogs in my care. I love having dogs around and enjoy making them feel comfortable, happy, and at home. I provide pet care in the client’s home, where I’m happy to follow your pet’s normal routine and any house rules you have. I understand that every pet is different, so I’ll follow your instructions for feeding, walks, medications, playtime, sleeping arrangements, and anything else that helps your pet feel comfortable. My goal is to keep their routine as consistent as possible while giving them plenty of love, attention, and companionship.
“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.”
About: At Westcliff Walks, I'm a young, dedicated dog lover who moved to Santa Cruz from Mammoth last year and shares life with my lovely field golden retriever. Local Expertise: I know the best coastal paths, safe routes, and hidden gems around Santa Cruz. Personalized Care: From high-energy beach adventures to relaxed neighborhood strolls, every walk is tailored to your dog. All Ages Welcome: Playful puppies to senior dogs, handled with patience and love. Reliable & Trustworthy: Your dog's happiness and safety come first, and I treat every pup like family. I work at 6am on the weekends and wednesday and on monday and Tuesday I work at 2pm. Willow has a flexible schedule, working either AM or PM shifts, so between the two of us, we can definitely find time to care for your pups. I live in a apartment 5 minutes fron Itts Beach. Whether at my home or a client’s home, I ensure they get plenty of attention, exercise, and care. Your pup will be well looked after in a comfortable and loving environment.
“Angelika did a great job watching my dog. She provided regular updated videos and pictures of how she was doing during her stay. My puppy who is intimated by larger dogs made a friend as well as a result of Angelika! I’d recommend her to any pet parent! :)”
“Jasmine was a godsend to us as we needed to find a sitter last minute and she was amazing!!! Molly felt right at home and found a new BFF with Jasmine's dog Summer. She was great with communication and sent updates with pictures and videos throughout her stay. We highly recommend Jasmine to care for your fur baby.”
“Natalia and Chester are amazing. Chewie had a wonderful time playing with Chester non stop and enjoyed the walks. Natalia was very sweet, sending updates and allowing Chewie to sleep on her couch. Will definitely book Natalia again.”
“Lisbeth agreed to watch my babies on short notice for me. I’m was traveling to Scott’s Valley for a wedding and needed a last minute sitter. She had a cute little place with a yard and sent me some pics of my babies happily laying in bed with her. They both seemed very comfortable with her and were very happy when I picked them up. It was wonderful to know by little girls were safe. I will definitely book Lisbeth again when I travel to the area.”
“Bex took care of both our boys over the weekend and did an excellent job. They had a lot of playmates and were very tired when they got home. We won't hesitate to call her again in the future!”
“Denisa took excellent care of our girls. We appreciated the daily updates, the thoughtfulness, the fact that they looked happy and came back peaceful, clearly not stressed, but playful and free of anxiety. Made us feel like they were well cared for.”
“Meng was the best Rover sitter we’ve ever had! Her level of care was incredible. It felt like she cared about our dog just as much as we do. She had an amazing yard, top tier communication, and eager for feedback. Will definitely be booking Meng again!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $71
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Teresa took care of my dog at her home for 10 days. Before booking, we had an excellent meet and greet. Teresa knows how to train and manage dogs, and also knows how to keep a dog entertained! She sent photos of my dog having a great time! My dog was well cared for while I was on vacation. Thank you for taking care of her.
Susie did a great job welcoming my dog Suki at her home and making her feel at ease. She kept me posted about how things were going while I was away including photos. Suki enjoyed walks several times a day, meeting the neighbors and even rides on the SC Harbor water taxi! I recommend Susie to others looking for a pet-sitter for their dog.
Alice & Thiago were incredible with our dog Akela. This was our first time with them and they made us feel so comfortable leaving Akela and throughout the weekend. Alice sent photos/updates daily and I’m so grateful for how much they seemed to care about our babe. We will 100% be working with them again!!
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!
Evelyn was phenomenal! This is the first time I left my puppy with someone outside our family and I was very nervous. From the beginning Evelyn made me feel so secure that our pup would be in good, caring hands. Throughout our trip we received regular updates and it allowed us to relax and enjoy our vacation knowing that everything was okay. I cannot recommend Evelyn enough! Thank you for everything!!!
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.
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.
How to book dog boarding
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer dog boarding.
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 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 Dog Boarding - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Boarding in Santa Cruz is $59 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $35 and $83 per night. On Rover, sitters set their own rates based on factors such as their experience, the length of care, the number of pets, and your pet’s specific needs. As long as your booking dates and pet profiles are accurate, the price shown before you confirm is the total, including any booking fee.
As of October 2026, there are 2,261 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 routine. Depending on the arrangements you agree on before the stay, a sitter can follow your dog’s regular feeding schedule, provide a comfortable place to sleep, offer companionship, and support their usual exercise and play needs.
92% of sitters in Santa Cruz can provide daily exercise during dog boarding stays. Depending on the sitter, their home environment, and your dog’s needs, this may include walks, outdoor play, indoor enrichment activities, or supervised play with compatible dogs. These activities are not automatically included with every booking, so ask the sitter what a typical day looks like.
During the Meet & Greet, discuss your dog’s usual exercise and play routine, whether they can safely interact with other dogs, and any activities or restrictions the sitter should follow. You can also ask the sitter to send photo and message updates during the stay so you can see how your dog is spending their time.
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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