Dog Boarding Santa Cruz
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.
Over 725 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%.
“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.”
“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!”
“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!”
“Beth watched our Jack Russell and she was great! She was very communicative while we were away and sent lots of photos and updates. We felt very comfortable leaving our pup with her and will definitely use her again.”
“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.”
“We were very happy with Michael and his wife. They are so sweet and kept in touch about our dog sailor while we were away. We will definitely use them again to watch our little guy.”
“Kelsey was very communicative and shared pictures of our pets lounging with them and having fun. She was understanding about a few issues our pugs have and we wouldn't hesitate to leave our dogs with Kelsey again. Thanks so much Kelsey!”
“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”
About: I grew up caring for my golden doodle and have loved dogs ever since! I love being around dogs and will often dog sit or help friends walk their dogs when they’re not able to. I spend a lot of time outdoors so I would be more than happy to take your dog out for long walks and in any environment they enjoy being in. Please get in touch if you have more questions about my experience! I have a flexible schedule now until October so I can take care of your dog at any time that is convenient for you. I am available for daily walks and boarding if you need it! I am all about communication and learning what works best for your dog so I can provide the best care possible. I want to know the ground rules and what you’re comfortable with to ensure you furry friend is happy.
“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!”
“This was my dog’s first night away from home! Shannon and Chris made sure it was a positive experience for both pup and parents! We were extremely happy with the care provided and will definitely be booking again.”
“Kimberly is everything you could ask for in a dog sitter! She was available to board my large, high energy dog in her home on short notice and gave him the same amount of love and care as if he were her own. I was able to trust her taking my dog to the park, around other dogs, and in off-leash areas. I would recommend her to anyone and will absolutely be using her services again!”
“Marie saved me for a last minute booking. I’m on the road traveling with 2 Shelties. She has a beautiful safe clean home. Fenced backyard and hiking trails. My fur babies were well taken care of! I highly recommend Marie for daycare or overnights. She was wonderful! I absolutely would book her again when in town. Thank you Marie!!!🐾”
“Wonderful guy. Percy came back happy and healthy. No issues. Great communication, super flexible, wonderful to work with and will choose him again if he is available the next time we are in town. Thank you!”
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $70
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
This was the first time I had ever brought my two pups to someone outside of our family so I was a little nervous! Yajaira was very sweet and calm and helped to alleviate my worries. Our Pomeranian, Duckie, is super easy going so I wasn't too worried about her but our Chihuahua, Fig, can require a little more understanding at times. When I picked them up they were happy and calm and Fig even seemed like she wanted to follow Yajaira back into the house :) We will definitely be seeing Yajaira 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!
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!
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
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
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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 $57.95 per night (as of September 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 September 2026, there are 2,280 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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