Dog Boarding in Santa Cruz
Find a loving dog sitter to watch your dog overnight at your sitter's home.

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Top rated Santa Cruz dog boarders
Prices are estimates per night for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Yajaira was wonderful with our pups and really easy to work with. I'm so glad she also has a pup that my dog could play with. We would definitely book with her again. Thanks Yaijara!”

“Hannah was very communicative and my pup seemed to really enjoy staying at Hannah's home. They went on a few hikes, and Hannah sent photos that showed my pup happy and relaxing! I would definitely recommend her for care.”

“Nancy took great care of our pup for the weekend. She sent lots of updates and pictures. We felt he was in great hands as soon as we left him there which made our weekend away more enjoyable. We would highly recommend her!”

About: I've had many different kinds of pets through out my life. I am loving, fun, responsible. I enjoy dogs and cats. Hoping to help you. I am a retired school teacher looking to enjoy spending some quality time with animals. I am open to short term and long term care. All of the animals I have ever had, I treat like they are part of the family. Animals are allowed almost everywhere people are in my home.
“Outstanding. Jenna and crew were avaiable with short notice so we could board our dogs and visit family whose dog won't tolerate other dogs in the house. We will use them again.”

“We couldn’t be more grateful for Shannon! It was our dog’s first time staying with someone other than family and we were very nervous about leaving our dog Luna in someone’s care especially for a week but Shannon was absolutely wonderful. She did an amazing job at keeping us updated and sending us pictures regularly. We were especially grateful that she was willing to accommodate our dog’s needs by being the only dog in the house since Luna isn’t always the best around other pets. Shannon and her husband gave so much love and attention to our dog and we are really excited that we have found someone that we trust and feel very comfortable leaving Luna in their care in the future.”

“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!”

“Marina was a wonderful dog sitter for my baby! We were regularly updated with pictures and texts! I will be sure to use Marina anytime we visit Santa Cruz!! I felt like my family was watching my dog, she is beyond amazing!”

“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!”

“Annette was great! She is very easy going and patient with our dog. Also, very responsive and kept us updated with his activities frequently. Our dog also had tons and tons of fun with Annette and Drew, I'm sure he wants to go back for a visit again soon. Thanks guys!”

“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.”

“Lucia did a great job with my pup! He showed all the signs of having made a new friend at the end of his visit. Lucia was responsive and attentive! Will absolutely rebook with her!”

About: I've grown up with many animals and have experience with dogs of all ages. I love all animals and am extremely patient and caring, making me a good fit for dogs of any personality. I am currently a student at UCSC and have classes a few hours of the day during the week, but have an open schedule that gives me plenty of time to be with pups! I will be with the dog constantly, giving it the consistent care and attention it needs. I will follow the owner's direct instructions to give the best care possible.
About: I'm a college student who absolutely loves animals and misses my own dogs and cats at home! I’ve cared for many different pets, including large dogs like Labradoodles, and have watched multiple pets at once many times, so I know how to build trust and routines. I have excellent references and experience providing walks, baths, and all the daily care pets need. I’m flexible and can watch pets in your home, at mine, or provide walks and drop-in visits. Previously, I am a nanny (check my schedule), so I’m extremely reliable and trustworthy. I love going on walks, giving pets attention, and keeping owners updated with photos and messages so they feel comfortable while away. Your pet’s happiness and care are my top priority! I am currently working part time as a nanny, I work 2 days a week with extremely short hours, so it does not conflict with pet sitting. As well as if the owners are okay with it sometimes me and the 6 year old girl will walk the dogs together. I provide a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for every pet I care for. At your home, I follow your routines and rules to ensure your pet feels secure and relaxed. At my home, pets have a quiet, pet-friendly space to eat, rest, and play. I supervise all interactions, make sure pets are hydrated and exercised, and provide plenty of love and attention. Safety and trust are my top priorities, and I always keep owners updated with messages and photos so they feel confident their pets are happy and well cared for.
“Kevin is a wonderful dog sitter! He is communicative and flexible. Olive had a wonderful time and we were confident she was in good hands. She is an older dog with some arthritis issues, which Kevin was fine about managing. We recommend him without reservation, he's the tops.”
“Britt is so kind and locked in to the doggy way. He seems to have the ability to put words to their behaviors. We trusted Britt over the holiday season with our boxer and we’re so happy with the photos and videos of our pooch having a blast at the beach and park. Thank you, Britt!”

“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!”

About: Since youth, taking care of animals has always been a significant part of my life. From experiences of hamsters to dogs and to my grandparents, nurturing and deeply loving the smile it brings to my face has always caused me to continue for the many years that I have experienced. Back home, I have a 7 year old beagle who I truly miss spending time with and taking care of while away at college which is why I believe I can use my assets in taking care for the animals near my in my apartment in Santa Cruz. I am currently a college student at Santa Cruz with a means to transportation and can definitely fit pet care into my weekly routine due to my highly developed skill of managing my time efficiently and simply being a responsible adult. I have a lot of experience with a runaway pet who loves to try and escape so I am careful when entering and leaving my apartment.
About: If your dog has energy to burn and loves being outside, I hike multiple times a week and would love to bring your pup along for a 1, 2, or even up to 5-mile adventure, based on their energy level. This is a great option for high-energy dogs who thrive on longer walks, fresh air, and real enrichment, leaving them happily tired. I also offer dog boarding and daycare for workdays or weekends away, with a fully fenced front and back yard for safe outdoor time and play. If you’re looking for something more than a quick walk or need reliable care while you’re at work or out of town, I’m happy to chat and see if it’s a good fit! 🌊🐕 I typically have all day availability on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with additional flexibility for longer walks, hikes, and quality time as needed! 🐾 Dogs are cared for in a safe, calm environment with close supervision and plenty of attention. A fenced front and back yard provide space to play, and two friendly dogs offer great, well-matched companionship.
Over 1,790 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked dog boarding
Santa Cruz dog parents share their Rover experiences
Kai was an absolute gem. We were scrambling to find last-minute holiday boarding for our dog Cricket, and he exceeded our expectations. Kai was responsive, accommodating, and took wonderful care of our baby. She loved staying with him - will absolutely book again. Thank you, Kai! 🙏🏼

Britt is so kind and locked in to the doggy way. He seems to have the ability to put words to their behaviors. We trusted Britt over the holiday season with our boxer and we’re so happy with the photos and videos of our pooch having a blast at the beach and park. Thank you, Britt!

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!

Maxwell and Kiana took amazing care of my dog, Zuko! They played with him, took him on multiple walks a day, and were very communicative. I received daily videos and photos of my dog which put my mind at ease. Zuko felt very loved by them for the duration I was gone.

Hanna was really a great house sitter. She watched our 3 dogs while we were gone. The dogs were really well taken care of. She did a great job of following our complicated instructions. She also cleaned up well after leaving which we never asked her to do but appreciated. Would definitely hire Hanna again.
How Rover works

1. Search
Read verified reviews by dog parents like you and choose a boarder who’s a great match for you and your dogs
2. Meet & Greet
Meet either virtually or in-person with a boarder to discuss the level of care needed for your dogs while you’re away
3. Book & Pay
All payments are processed through Rover’s secured platform and your booking is backed by 24/7 support. It’s that easy!
The median cost per night for dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $71
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 dog boarding sitter has to cancel, we’ll work with you to find a new dog boarding sitter.
World-class support
We’re friendly, knowledgable, and total dog fanatics. You can get in touch with us anytime.
Sitters in Santa Cruz average 10 repeat dog boarding clients
Dog Boarding FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Rover
As of Jan 2026, the median cost of dog boarding in Santa Cruz is $71 per night, including service fees. Boarding your dog for one week typically costs $497. Sitters on Rover set their own rates based on their qualifications, your dog's needs, and their space's amenities. As a result, most Santa Cruz dog boarding rates can be found as low as $29 to as high as $83 per night.
As of Jan 2026, 1,684 sitters provided dog boarding in Santa Cruz. You can filter, sort, expand your radius, read reviews, and compare pricing to find the perfect sitter near you. As a reminder, dog boarding sitters joining Rover must pass a background check for you and your dog’s safety.
Rover makes it easy to reach out to multiple sitters about your booking. Typically, 90% of Santa Cruz dog boarding sitters respond in under an hour.
Sitters who provide dog boarding in Santa Cruz have an average of 17 years of experience. Dog boarding sitters with repeat customers have an average of 10 repeat clients. Experience can vary from sitter to sitter, but you can view reviews, years of experience, and number of repeat clients when you compare sitters in Santa Cruz.
Rover makes it easy to find Santa Cruz dog boarding sitters to provide loving care from their own home. The background-checked, 5-star sitters you can find on Rover will welcome your dog into their home when you’re away—whether it’s just for the weekend or longer. Dog boarding is great for:
- Dogs of all ages and abilities, including puppies
- Pet parents looking for a safe, loving alternative to a kennel
- Dogs who’d love to socialize with their sitter’s pets
There are 1,684 dog boarding sitters in Santa Cruz on Rover, so you’re sure to find the perfect match for your dog! In Santa Cruz, 92% of sitters offer daily exercise, 94% offer medication administration, and 90% have experience with senior dogs and dogs with special needs. We know each dog is unique and may have specific care instructions. You can filter, sort, expand your radius, read reviews, and compare pricing to find the perfect dog boarding sitter near you. As a reminder, sitters joining Rover must pass a background check for you and your dog’s safety.
Yes! Sitters joining Rover must pass a background check before offering their services. You can also easily keep in touch with your dog boarding sitter through messages on Rover for delightful photo updates. The Rover team is available 24/7, and your sitter has access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals. In the rare event of any issues during a booking, rest easy knowing your pet is covered by the Rover Guarantee reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care.
Note: If your dog boarding sitter requested to cancel this booking, then they need to cancel from their account. Please contact them via Rover Messages.
We get it—sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel your dog boarding service. You can cancel an upcoming booking directly from the Rover app or your computer, in accordance with your sitter’s cancellation policy.














