Dog Walking Santa Cruz
Book a dog walker to give your dog a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood.
Over 336 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked dog walking
Santa Cruz, Find top rated dog walking
Prices are estimates per walk for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Skye , is a lovely professional dog walker. My dog Scooby warmed up to her right away. After just a few days of service Scooby is now very excited to see her knowing a good walk is on the way. He can tell she’s an animal person. Skye is easy to communicate with, friendly and very professional. Can’t say enough of what a find skye is on rover. Happy new customer, highly recommend!”
About: I've been pet sitting for family and friends forever and like to say I am pretty reliable. I also have experience with farm animals as I have raised a few myself. Animals tend to like me, what can I say I have a way with them. I am currently a student at UCSC. My schedule is pretty set for the next 3 months. I am open to working holidays as my family don't celebrate. I have a smaller apartment that I share with others. One of my roommate is a fellow pet sitter. I have all the equipment required to care for another cat temporarily.
“Peppy absolutely loved Landon! My wife and I were very pleased with Landon's professionalism and the immediate connection he made with our little princess! This was our first time trying out this service, and we were a little nervous as pet parents, but I have to say, if we could give Landon 10 stars, we would! We will definitely book Landon next time we need a sitter/walker for our baby!”
About: I have pet care experience of at least 8 years, and I really enjoy taking care of pets, they bring me so much joy. And if you need someone who is energetic to take care of your pet, just let me know! I am currently enrolled at UCSC, so I am unable to take care of pets when I have class Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:20-2:25pm and Wednesdays 5:20-6:25pm. I am also unavailable on Saturdays all day. Other than that, I can fit pet care in between my schedule every day of the week except Saturdays! Since I live in an apartment with roommates who have a dog and a cat, I am unable to take care of pets at my home. However, I can pet sit at anybody’s home! I have experience doing overnight pet sitting without any flaws in making sure they’re fed and that they’ve been consistently played with throughout the day.
About: I've had pets my entire life. I grew up with cats, dogs, and fish, and learned to care for them all. I'm most comfortable working with dogs and cats, but I love all animals! I have experience with walks (either just for a quick potty break or for an hour-and-a-half-long ramble), feeding pets, giving medications, playing (whether it's fetch, belly rubs, or retrieving the ball from where it's rolled under the couch). I love getting to know pets -- I'm the kind of person who smiles at every dog they see out walking -- and I would love to meet your furry friends! I'm a free agent right now, so I have plenty of time for pets! I tend to be less busy in the afternoons and evenings, so being able to house-sit or petsit then would be ideal, but mornings can work too! Pets aren't allowed in my apartment, so I would be house-sitting -- which, frankly, I think is preferable for our furry friends! It's much less stressful for them to have a new person in their house than go to a new place with new people. I want my four-legged clients to be as comfortable as possible.
About: I have experience consistently cat sitting and dog sitting for weeks, routinely taking care of their needs. I love taking care of pets and pride myself on being reliable for them. I currently walk my dog daily, sometimes including walks to the park to play with other dogs, as well as care for her around the house. I plan on best taking care of pets by thoughtfully observing what they want or need, and taking care of their needs in the best way I can.
“Miranda is always prompt, willing to adjust timing if possible, and very good with communications. She really stepped up when I needed help due to an injury. My dog loves his walks with her!”
About: I’ve taken care of many dogs, including my own. I am looking forward to bonding with my neighborhood animals. I love to go on long walks I work from home part-time and have plenty of time to give your animal the love and attention they need. I frequently go for a long walk and would love to be accompanied by a pet. I have a very animal, friendly home and happy to crate them if needed as well. I would love to spend most of the time outdoors with the pet going on long walks.
About: I have always had animals in my household. My pet family has included 7 cats, 7 dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, a chinchilla, a rabbit, birds, and fish. I have experience with senior animals as well as pups and kittens. I also have experience caring for sick animals and administering medicine. I am available for drop-in visits to give your pets all the attention they need. Let me know your scheduling needs and I’ll be happy to work something out. I will send you photos of your pets and treat them as if they were my own (with lots and lots of love and care!).
About: I’ve been caring for animals since I began working in horse stables at age 11, and I’ve been dog and cat sitting since my teenage years. Animals have always held a very special place in my heart! I have experience with drop-in visits, dog walking, house sitting, and caring for nervous pets who need extra patience and reassurance. I’m also a runner and would love to take active, leash-trained dogs on runs—with your permission and at a pace suited to their needs. I’m comfortable with litter box maintenance, accident cleanup, and light housekeeping to keep your home tidy while you’re away. As a pet parent to two wonderful cats, I understand how important it is to find someone dependable who will treat your pets like family. I’ll give them plenty of love, attention, and thoughtful care—and keep you updated so you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re away. I am an early morning runner, so I could take your dog with me for a run in the morning. I have a flexible schedule and could feed cats/dogs, take dogs out I have two cats that I keep indoors and let out under supervision only. We play a lot, my kitties love the spring toys! They love to look out the open window and make the "eck eck" at little birds and squirrels in my yard.
About: I have sixteen 5 star reviews on Trusted House Sitters (along with my wife Allison who joins me on most dog and cat sits.) We have taken care of dogs of various sizes as well as a lot of cats. We both work remotely which makes us very flexible for pet care. I can work remotely from anywhere on my laptop (part time!) which allows me plenty of time to care for your dog or cat. After my years as a Trusted House Sitter, my goal is to spend most of my time dedicated to caring for animals as they are my passion so they will be my number one priority! I care for your pets in your home, I will be in most of the day working online so they will get plenty of potty breaks and attention. I am always available to contact and will make sure you receive photos and updates multiple times a day.
About: Hi there! I'm a college student on summer break with tons of free time and a huge love for animals! I've grown up around dogs and pets my whole life and have always enjoyed caring for them. Whether your pet is full of energy or more of a cuddle bug, I'm here to make sure they feel happy, safe, and loved while you're away. I'm very active and would be thrilled to take your dog on adventures such as beach walks, redwood hikes, or just fun neighborhood strolls. I’m reliable, attentive, and always happy to match your pet’s needs, whether that means extra playtime, lots of snuggles, or sticking to a specific routine. I’m available for walks, drop-ins, overnight care, or just keeping your pet company during the day. With my flexible schedule and love for animals I’d be honored to care for your pet like they’re my own. I have a two year old pitbull named Alfred who is a very active pup. I try to take him on hikes to the river or to the beach most days. My girlfriend also has two dogs who I help to care for when I can. I have a very open summer with lots of free time and I would love to spend that time with your animals. I care for each pet as if they were my own, making sure they feel safe, loved, and comfortable in any environment. I’ll stick closely to their usual routine to help them feel at ease. I’m happy to take your dog on as many walks—or runs!—as they need, and I’m great at following specific instructions, whether it’s feeding times, medication, or special routines. Every pet is unique, and I’m here to make sure their needs are met with care and attention.
“David is communicative, punctual and most importantly, great at connecting with dogs. This was our first River experience and he helped put me at ease as he cared for our pup.”
“We are so grateful to Yajaira. Both of our pups love her, which is saying a lot because both have refused walks with other walkers. She has been reliable, easy to communicate with, and flexible.Thank you Yajaira!”
“Consider the job done with Kate. Great communication, punctual, and goes the extra mile to make sure your pet is taken care of and expectations are fully met. Thank you, Kate! ?”
About: Hi! I'm Seth. and I have over 30 years of experience caring for all kinds of animals. I have returned to California and I am now located in Santa Cruz! I'm comfortable with all dog breeds, all sizes and all ages. I am patient, kind and maintain a tidy, safe, and relaxed environment, caring for your animals and your home, inside and out. I spend my free time volunteering at equine rescues. I live a relatively quiet life, keeping my social circle very small which works well with dedicating myself to providing a full time pet care service. I am also experienced with special needs and senior dogs, and up until very recently, I was a daily volunteer at Starry Skies Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where I worked to provide gentle, attentive care to horses, mules, donkeys, ponies, goats, pigs and cattle. Dogs & cats are my primary specialty, but I connect easily with all animals. I pet sit as a full time job and I will be seeking equine rescue volunteer opportunities to fill my availability. My availability is generally wide open. I do not have a "regular/day" job. I offer a true, full time pet sitting service. We will start with a 15-30 minute in-home meet and greet. Please provide a printed list detailing veterinary office/phone number, preferred emergency animal hospital, routines/routes, typical walk times and duration, and any helpful reminders that will help me in keeping your dog(s) and other animals safe and happy. A one time demonstration of your preferred feeding schedule/routine is a good idea, so if possible the meet and greet should be as close to this time as possible, allowing me to feed them will start the trust association into my care. Unfortunately, I'm not hosting any animals in my home at this time.
About: I have experience with dogs of all sizes and all ages! I grew up training and caring for a strong and stubborn German Shepherd. In the past few years, I’ve lived with a Retriever puppy - training him to be a sociable young man that goes potty outside. I’m the go-to for my friends and family when it comes to pet sitting. They trust me with their fur babies and appreciate how I maintain the routine their pet is familiar with. I work fully remote, so I have lots of flexibility when it comes to walks, playtime, and housesitting! On weekdays, I’m most available after 11:00am PT. I’m occasionally available on weekends! I want to care for your pet in the way you do! Please fill me in on their routine and their sensitivities! I want them to care for them in a way that feels familiar and safe.
About: Hello, my name is Iman, and if you're thinking of how to say it, think of it like the second half of the word Pokemon! From taking care of my own dog, helping my elderly neighbors walk their dogs, and much more, I can handle many breeds from tiny pups to big dogs and I do it with a smile on my face because I love working with these animals. While I only have four official years of house sitting and dog walking professionally, all my life I have been surrounded by dogs and have handled them with care. I hope I get to be your dog's next friend! I have a completely free summer so catering to your pet and their needs will be my upmost priority, and I will absolutely have a blast spending time with them! Since I am fortunate enough to have a dog be a part of my family, I understand how much these tailed animals mean to us, so I always put their safety in mind. For example, If I were to walk them, I would always put myself between the street and them. I'm always checking my surroundings and considerate of other dogs potentially, and more. And things like this are the bare minimum. I hope you can trust me and it won't be a decision you will regret.
The median cost per walk for dog walking in Santa Cruz is $25
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Skye , is a lovely professional dog walker. My dog Scooby warmed up to her right away. After just a few days of service Scooby is now very excited to see her knowing a good walk is on the way. He can tell she’s an animal person. Skye is easy to communicate with, friendly and very professional. Can’t say enough of what a find skye is on rover. Happy new customer, highly recommend!
Jaden was great with Apollo! Last-minute, I ended up needing a dog walker, and Jaden was super communicative and flexible, which I really appreciated. She gave a detailed report and several pictures, which I really appreciated! She was great at following my instructions. Should I need a dog walker again, I'll definitely reach out to Jaden!
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 walking
1. Search
Browse profiles of walkers near you who offer dog walking.
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 walking - Santa Cruz
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering dog walking.Sitters in Santa Cruz average 3 repeat dog walking clients
FAQs for Dog Walking - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of Dog Walking in Santa Cruz is $26 per walk as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $14 and $49 per walk. On Rover, walkers 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 4,718 sitters on Rover offering Dog Walking across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Whether you want a solo or group walk depends on your dog's personality. Solo walks can be beneficial for dog parents with reactive dogs, puppies, or dogs who are anxious around unfamiliar animals. Many dog walkers on Rover offer private, one-on-one walking services.
Group walks are a good fit for social dogs who enjoy structured walks. If your dog prefers the energy of a group stroll, ask your dog walker about group walks in your Santa Cruz. Since all dog walkers are local, they may have a neighborhood dog who is a good walking companion to yours.
For dog walking bookings, your dog walker can send a Rover Card with details about your dog’s walk. Rover Cards require at least one photo and may include , the total walk time and distance, and any pee or poop breaks recorded by the walker.
The route map lets you review where your dog was walked in Santa Cruz after the booking. It is not live GPS tracking.
Have specific details you would like included? Message your dog walker in the app before the walk begins.
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 , which provides up to $25,000 in eligible veterinary care reimbursement.
Every walker 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 .
Yes, you can find walkers who have experience with handling special pet needs in Santa Cruz. On Rover:
- 83% of walkers can help with special care needs
- 88% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 95% can help with daily exercise
You can also find pet sitters on Rover who accept only one pet at a time, which is ideal for anxious puppies, kittens, or senior pets who move at a gentler pace. Some sitters will also list availability for 24/7 care, also known as constant care, in their profiles.
Use the search filters to narrow down sitters whose specific experience or environment meets your pet's needs. When reaching out to your sitter, outline your pet's care routine and use the Meet & Greet to walk your sitter through your expectations.
A Meet & Greet is a casual meeting to vet potential sitters and communicate care needs for peace of mind before a booking begins. Only sitters who have never booked with you before can schedule a Meet & Greet on Rover; however, you are welcome to coordinate one in Rover messages with sitters you have previously booked. This can be helpful if you have a new pet or routine you want to go over with your sitter.
Meet & Greets can take place in person or virtually. If you are booking with a sitter for the first time, we recommend in-person Meet & Greets to get a clearer sense of how your walker interacts with your pet or the new environment.
During the Meet & Greet, you will have a chance to walk through your pet's routine, medical needs, and unique quirks. Take the time to ask your walker questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Meet & Greets are a great way to prepare your pet and walker for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first .
walkers on Rover set their own , which you can find on their profile under their contact information. Sitters may set a same-day, one-, three-, or seven-day cancellation policy. Cancelling within your sitter’s cancellation policy qualifies you for a full refund.
Same-day cancellations for recurring services, which include walks, drop-ins, and day care, follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for pet boarding and house sitting, if you cancel after 12 pm on the applicable cancellation deadline, you’ll receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for any remaining days.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means you will get a full refund and our support team will work with you to find a replacement walker.
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