Dog Walking Santa Cruz
Book a dog walker to give your dog a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood.
Over 321 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%.
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.
“Evelyn is very professional, kind and a lovely person who my dog Oliver adores! He’s very sweet and loving but also not the easiest pup to handle. Evelyn does great with him. Very happy!”
“Rachel is a great walker. She has been walking our 2 10 month old GSC pups for about 6 months every day now and has been aiding in training during walks. We definitely reccomend Rachel for her above and beyond efforts, dependability, and character! Keep up the great work and thank you for everything your doing!”
About: I’ve always loved dogs and was overjoyed when my family adopted two chihuahua-terriers when I was 10. Now, as a college student, I miss taking my dogs for long walks and fun hikes and would love to continue my love for animals by caring for others’ pets. As a fellow pet parent, I will treat your dog’s safety of the utmost importance. I will make sure that your pet, no matter their energy level or age, gets the care and attention they need. I'm currently a student, so I have plenty of time to care for pets! I am generally free on weekends and most weekday afternoons. I can be flexible with timing, so please reach out if you have any questions. While petsitting, I will follow any pet care instructions carefully. I have experience administering oral medications. Since I have a flexible schedule, I will also ensure that your dog is walked often and/or let outside. Most importantly, I will dedicate my attention and care to your pet while you're away!
About: I’ve got experience dog-sitting, and dog-walking, as well as living with dogs and love when I get the chance to take care of them. I’ve had a dog my entire life until her recent passing and have loved and cared for all animals even before I got one. I’m incredibly comfortable with dogs of all sizes, types, and temperaments. This includes sick dogs with medication, senior pups, and various exercise needs. I have saved my dog from a life-threatening attack and provided intensive care, so I work well in a potentially contentious environment. I’m a full time student but my schedule is incredibly loose. I get to choose when I work on my senior project and go to class so I’m available whenever essentially. I only have to be in class Monday and Wednesday from 5-7! Other than that feel free to schedule me. I have a wonderful medium sized fenced yard and live close to Westlake park which has ample grass and play area. My roommates do live with me but are comfortable with the situation and all dog-friendly!
About: I currently have 5 amazing big dogs that I’ve been taking care of since I was in middle school. I am patient, responsible, friendly, and caring. I am available for pet walking and drop ins Monday through Thursday at any time just before 4pm! I am also available every other weekend! I have 5 dogs myself who I care for everyday. I run or walk them multiple times a week and play with them at the house!
About: Hello! My name is Leo, and I have been in and out of dog-related jobs since I was fifteen years old. I am only twenty years old and a college student; however, my passion for animals (specifically dogs) is what drives me the most, and I would be as committed as necessary to your pet in all cases. I would provide your pet with premium care to the fullest extent! I worked at AlphaDog Lodging (a dog boarding/daycare) for just under two years, followed by a 9-month unpaid intership at Camino Alto Veterinary Clinic. I have also recently been dog-sitting quite a bit, my longest stay being two weeks. My experience in animal care is to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a Veterinarian, and Rover gives me the opportunity to keep working hard for you and your pet! June 23rd - July 26th: Free every day, anytime. July 28th-August 28th: Downtown Santa Cruz, available all day Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. Unfortunately, gone from 9am-4pm on Tues and Thurs (can stop by at noon though). Can do any night, if you are comfortable with your dog being alone for four hours at a time. August 28th-September 23rd: Downtown Santa Cruz, free any day, any time! Santa Cruz: I live in a studio attached to a house with a large front and back yard. Our backyard is fenced in and quite exciting for dogs to explore. We get lots of birds and squirrels, and sometimes a neighbor's cat comes by to visit. I would have your pet stay in my room on a cot, bed, or crate (I only have a cot and a small dog bed here). Kenwood: I live on a large property with my parents, where I could bring your pet home, and they could run forever. Everything is fenced in here; however would prefer bringing a smaller dog home. I am very open to staying in your home as well, for a greater price.
About: I raised my dog from a puppy by myself and trained her to be a nice respectful playful dog. I took care of all her needs so I am more than ready for anything the job entails. I am a Robotics Engineering Student at UCSC, I have class for a few hours midday, but other than that I am free to take care of your pets. I have a dog back home and I miss being around her, It would be a joy to take care of your pets, hang out with them, make sure they are well-fed, taking them on walks, and much more.
About: I’ve taken care of many different types of animals since I was 9. I have lots of experience with both cats and dogs. I’ve even taken care of reptiles! I take great pride in the fact that I’ve trained many dogs (all self taught) I believe I have an amazing set of qualities like genuine love for animals, reliability, excellent communication with pet owners, and flexibility in scheduling. I also believe I create a comfortable and safe environment for pets. Pet care fits into my daily/weekly routine due to my flexible schedule that allows me to provide personalized and attentive pet care every day! To ensure safety, trust, and a comfortable environment for pets in my home or a client’s, I keep the space clean and secure, follow the owner’s instructions carefully, maintain open communication, create a calm atmosphere, use pet-proofing measures, and always supervise the pets.
About: Hey, from your dog's new favorite dog walker. My name is Meg and I absolutely love animals! I've been volunteering with shelters and fostering dogs and cats since I was 16 years old. I also have two of my own family dogs, a terrier named Dolly and a husky named Tika! Here in Chicago, I currently have my cat Goose. I have open availability outside of Monday through Friday, 2 - 7 PM, as I am a flag football coach. I love pets and have volunteered/fostered at shelters with cats, dogs, and small animals. I have a cat myself, who is pretty independent, but I will need to go & make sure he's doing well minimum of 1-2x a day if housesitting. I offer dog walking, cat & dog check-in visits, and house sitting. Check-in & house-sitting visits require an introductory appointment so you can feel comfortable with me; I can get to know you and your pet's needs, go over instructions and rules, and answer any additional questions or concerns!
About: Hi there! I love dogs and would love to have one of my own but have to settle for dog sitting since I don’t have a big place for any right now. I have had my account rover account in the past that I’d be happy to share. Made a new account since sin moving locations. Please reach out with any questions! I’m part-time in college, so I have plenty of time. I’m free basically all day everyday. I’d be happy to dedicate my time to your cutie :). I enjoy taking long walks, which I’m sure your fur baby would be happy to tag along. In your house, I can drop by whenever you need, or even stay for long periods of time if needed.
“Jade is an absolute gem to work with! She was so attentive to our elder dogs many detailed needs. She communicates frequently, asking questions and letting us know how our little ones are doing. She sends plenty of sweet photos and really exhibits so much care. I recommend her without hesitation!”
“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!”
“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!”
“Amanda was amazing with my dog, Luna. She took her on long walks and Luna came back tired and a very happy camper. It’s clear that Amanda is wonderful with dogs and genuinely cares about them. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable and caring dog walker!”
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 taken care of both dogs since I was 12 and I am now almost 22 so I have 10 years of experience caring for dogs. I love dogs so much and have always had one of my own and have experience taking care of older dogs particular, but have walked and sat for dogs of all different ages and energy levels. I am a very active person and a runner, so I can also take your dogs on runs ranging from 2-10 miles. I work in the mornings from 8-1 at a day care and am ready and able to care for your pets anytime before or after those times on Sunday-Friday and some occasional Saturdays. I do not care for pets in my own, but I will provide attentive, loving care to your pets in your own home. I am great at following the directions you will give me about your pets and bring both playfulness and responsibility into my help with your pets.
“Megan is the best. She is responsible, respectful and a total pup whisperer for our black lab, Duchess. In fact she is the only person, us included, who can coax Duchess into her harness. We began with the plan to do just a couple of walks but it has worked out so well that Megan is now on a regularly recurring weekly schedule. Speaking of which, she has kindly accommodated some last minute changes in walk times. Thanks Megan.”
About: I grew up in the country with many different animals, mostly rescues. I am very familiar and comfortable with caring for and training many different animals. I currently do independent work dictated by my own schedule. I am usually pretty flexible and able to take last minute requests for walks, pet care and training. I don't offer pet care in my home but I try to accommodate the unique needs of every animal with sensitivity and compassion. I'm very used to a wide range of animals, mostly rescues and some formerly abused animals.
About: I have had multiple dogs in my life, since I was born. Experienced in taking care of my dogs, friends dogs. I love to take them on walks and spend quality time with pets. I enjoy taking them to the park, beach, and trails. I grew up in Santa Cruz and graduated from Cal Poly SLO. I am currently job hunting, so I have ample time to take care of dogs! I am available through out the week and can flex to your schedule. I am a very respectful person and will listen effectively to boundaries and follow pet care instructions thoroughly. I have attention to detail and I am professional.
The median cost per walk for dog walking in Santa Cruz is $25
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
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!
We’ve only been working with Emma for about a week, but we’ve already had such a great experience! She is friendly, communicative, and really seems to understand our dogs and their individual personalities. Our dogs took to her right away, which is the biggest thing for us. She’s also shared some helpful insight into their behavior and some training techniques that we’ve started working on at home. We’re very happy we found her and are looking forward to continuing to work with her!
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!
Naomi has been the best sitter for my dog and I’m so grateful! 🥳 Naomi has been so sweet and so attentive and caring for my sweet baby angel princess 💅🏼 she’s been treating my dog like a member of her own family and has always been there for me when I’ve needed her. 💖 I’m really lucky that I found her as my dog sitter/dog walker 🐕 and she is also just a genuinely kind sweet person as well!!! 🥰 You would be silly 🪿 to not have Naomi walk your dog! 🐶 thank you Naomi!
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 walkers who will treat your dogs like family
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 for Dog Walking in Santa Cruz on Rover is $25.68 per walk (as of September 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of Dog Walking 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 Walking. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of September 2026, there are 4,776 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 services, you can request a report card update with specifics about your dog’s walk. Report cards require photos and can include a map of the walking route , total walk time, poop and pee breaks, and distance traveled, so you know exactly where your dog has been walking in Santa Cruz.
Got specific details you'd like the dog walker to include? Message them in the app before your dog’s 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 Rover Guarantee , 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 Rover's Trust & Safety page .
Yes, you can find walkers who have experience with handling special pet needs in Santa Cruz. On Rover:
- 91% of walkers can help with special care needs
- 95% can help with giving oral medications or injections
- 94% 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 short introductory meeting between you, your dog, and a walker. It can take place in person or virtually, although we recommend in-person so that your pet can get to know your walker 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. Most pet parents and walkers on Rover welcome Meet & Greets because the process can give confidence and peace of mind for service experiences, especially for longer stays or first-time bookings.
Sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy, which you can find on their profile under their calendar availability.
Cancelling before a booking begins and before the sitter's cutoff time qualifies you for a full refund. Same-day cancellations for walks, day care, and drop-ins follow the full refund policy. Otherwise, for dog boarding and house sitting, you will receive a 50% refund for the first seven days of the booking and a 100% refund for the remaining days when you cancel the same day a booking should begin.
If your sitter needs to cancel within seven days of the booking's start date, then our reservation protection will kick in. This means our support team works with you to find a replacement walker.
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