Dog Walking Santa Cruz

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 walked my rough collie for the 7 years we had him, and I've taken my friends' dogs on many walks. I took care of my dog as he got older and have immense patience with senior dogs. I'm familiar with different animals' body language and how pets communicate, allowing me to understand what your pet is asking for. I work part-time and have plenty of free time to take care of your pets. I have reliable transportation and am happy to drive wherever is necessary. Dogwalking was the first thing I did in the morning and is my favorite way to start the day. In your home, I'm happy to care for your pet's feeding, litter boxes, playful interests, and any other specific needs your pet would like attended to.

About: Lifelong cat lover at your service! I’ve had cats my whole life and truly understand their unique personalities, quirks, and cuddles. Whether your kitty is shy, playful, or just wants a lap to nap on, I’ll treat them like one of my own. Reliable, loving care while you’re away — because your cat deserves the best! I have recently taken a break from my full time job and my schedule is fully open to take care of your little kitties for when you need an extra hand. I know how hard it can be to leave your beloved cat behind — that’s why I care for every kitty like they’re my own. With a lifetime of loving and living with cats, I’ll make sure your fur baby feels safe, comforted, and adored while you’re away. Whether they need playtime, quiet company, or extra snuggles, I’ll be there to give them all the love (and treats!) they deserve.

“Megan was great: prompt, flexible and communicated well. Patient and lovely with our old pup, she walked him daily for a week, while I was off my feet.”

Fran G.

About: I’ve lived with dogs all my life and regularly volunteer at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good with all types of dogs. Not afraid of those who pull! I currently have full availability as school has been my full time job until now. I am willing to do visits at all times of day, no time too early or late. I do best with specific instructions on how to care for your pet so I can make them as comfortable as possible. I’d love to meet your pet ahead of time if it makes you more comfortable. Just reach out.

“Deanna is extremely reliable and seems happy to see my dog and get walking.”

J. G.

About: Hi, I'm Jenn! Having six years of experience as a vet tech, six years of experience caring for pets professionally, and caring for my personal furry companions animals for over 6o years, I bring an exceptional blend of experience, care, and responsibility to my pet care. I have a huge heart for cats and dogs and love to see them happy in their environment. My sensitive nature allows me to be highly attuned to animals and their needs. Others have often commented on my ability to anticipate the needs of people and animals before they are aware of them. I believe in the health and wellbeing of all living things. When your animal is under my care, you can be assured they are receiving the nurturing and care they deserve. I am available for walking, visits, boarding, and more. Please inquire for your particular needs and desires for your pet in your absence. I would be happy to keep your pet loved and safe while you are away. Injections, special needs, training/rehabilitation I am in a very open and expansive time currently in life. I am widely available round the clock for your pets needs. I am available daytime, evenings, and weekends. I do not have a fenced yard on the property I live on in the country, so when boarding with me, dogs will be on leash when outdoors. They will enjoy the many walks they will have around here. When at your home, I take care of your fur baby and belongs with the utmost respect and safety.

About: I’ve always had dogs and cats growing up. Being with animals is a passion of mine! I am currently working at Animal Hospital of Soquel as a kennel tech. I Wouldn’t mind caring for other kinds of pets! I am currently working at Animal Hospital of Soquel, Im available for drop ins and dog walks most days, currently working Sunday through Wednesday and some Saturdays. I will update my schedule as much as I can! 🫶✨ If you have a certain schedule you follow at home, I can follow that no problem! Just let me know what needs to be done and I can do that for ya!

“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!”

Joe L.

“Meghan was excellent! She was punctual, friendly, and well-suited to handle my large breed dog! I’m super grateful for her efforts and I would absolutely work with her again!”

Ben M.

About: Hi everyone! I’m just starting out on Rover but I’ve been a dog lover since day one. I have experience with dogs both big and small, in urban landscapes and suburban. I am attuned to their varying levels of energy, motivations, and comforts, all of which lets me form a quick bond with them! I’m a full time student at the UC, and work a part time job. Unfortunately, our hours at work were cut so until September, my schedule is relatively light! College dorms and apartments dont exactly have an abundance of dogs so I’ve been lacking in animal love. I hope to get my fill on Rover! My dogs have always been a part of the family, so that’s how I treat them! On my dog walks, I like to let them sniff all they want (but no eating!), I have no problem jogging if they’ve got some zoomies, and above all, I just want them to feel satisfied and ready to rest when they return home. I respect dogs as much as I respect people!

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: Hello and thanks for stopping by! I’m Sarah and would love to take care of your furry friends! 
I love all animals. I have had a life time of experience with beautiful critters, having grown up caring for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and more. I have taken care of countless pups and cats over many decades; safety and love have always been paramount when animals are in my care. I am currently offering the following services: boarding in your home, dog walking and home visits 😊 I have experience with a wide variety of pups (and kitties) from 5lb chihuahuas to a large Italian mastiff! I am comfortable with medication administration, exercise, senior dog/kitty care and any special needs or requests. In addition, I, of course, will take immaculate care of your home while pet sitting. 
I am all about learning the routine of your pup(s) and/or kitty(ies) so you can travel or be work stress free. I will take daily pictures/videos of your pets with detailed updates. I’m happy to set up a meet and greet at your convenience. I look forward to meeting you and your furry friends. Numerous references available upon request. Some examples of pet care jobs I have done are: for a cat named Kona. A kind and curious fellow on the island of St John, USVI. As well as caring for Kona, I managed the owners home, property, and vehicles. Kona and I loved cuddling on the porch in the cool island breeze together! Another, Annabelle, a large Italian Mastiff. She loved going on long walks by the river near her home in Connecticut. She also loved chewing on special bones I was permitted by her owner to give her. She required a weekly bath/shower which was messy but fun! A third example are Gracie and Monti, both medium sized rescues. Gracie had a lot of energy and walking was a must sometimes several times a day. She and I would go on long walks on trails and she enjoyed wading in water to cool off after a long walk. Monti on the other hand was a dignified little fellow. He was one to stop and smell the roses and everything along the way :) Monti had back surgery so needed to be lifted in and out of car and needed to be monitored so as to not jump up and re-injure his spine. Lastly, Jet Jet was a frisky rescue cat. He loved to play and cuddle and roll in fresh cat nip! I have cared for many more pets and their owners homes. Looking forward to hearing from you! xo, Sarah I work full time as a pet care provider. I am available for lengthy home stays as requested. I also do as many as 4 home visits and day and stay in shape with plenty of dog walking. :) Meeting the needs of a variety of pets is a huge part of my daily routine- I love it! I look forward to hearing from you. Sarah I follow instructions as to what you, the pet owner, would like done while I am with your pet. I can be reached by phone when I am walking, feeding, or cuddling with your dog or cat. I am excellent at following what protocol you have outlined for your pet. Safety and love are paramount when I am caring for your pet.

“Celeste is a reliable and conscientious dog walker! Our puppy loves her. She communicates very promptly and is accommodating to our pup’s needs.”

Donald T.

About: I have hands-on experience working at a dog daycare, where I care for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and personalities every day. My responsibilities include supervising group play, feeding, administering medications, bathing and drying dogs, and making sure every pet is safe, happy, and comfortable. I also have experience caring for cats and understand that each pet has unique needs and routines. I treat every animal like they’re my own and strive to make them feel loved while you’re away. I work around my schedule to provide dependable pet care and always make sure every visit gets the time and attention your pet deserves. Whether your pet needs walks, drop-in visits, feeding, playtime, medication, or companionship, I’m committed to being reliable and flexible whenever possible. I’ll communicate with you throughout your booking and provide updates so you know your pet is in great hands. Your pet’s safety and comfort are always my top priorities. Thanks to my experience in a professional dog daycare, I’m comfortable handling dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and energy levels while recognizing signs of stress or discomfort. I’ll carefully follow your pet’s routine, feeding schedule, medication instructions, and any special requests. I believe in building trust with both pets and their owners by providing dependable care, lots of love, and regular updates with photos during every visit.

“Jasmine helped us out while I am recovering from surgery. She did a wonderful job with our enthusiastic large dog. Jasmine knows how to handle large breed dogs and is very enthusiastic and gave our pup loving care.”

Sharon M.

About: Me and my husband recently moved to Santa Cruz from Southern California after he got a new job up here. With the change in my schedule I now have extra time on my hand to spend with four legged friends! I have a dog myself - a boxer/frenchi mix, Olive, she is 4.5 years old - she will not be coming with me on walks with your dog unless you give the okay after I have gotten to know your dog. I have done a lot of training with her as she had a phase of reactivity in her teenage phase. This did teach me a lot about reading dog body language, how to anticipate how my dog, or other dogs we meet will react so I can make the best choices to set the dog I'm handling up for success. I have a calm and structured presence which I believe is important for the dog to trust you. (and humans for that matter..) I would love if you share what your dog likes and dislikes before the walk so it can be as successful as possible. I will be available for walks during Monday- Thursday, daytime. I can do both short walks or longer walks. (I will be away in Sweden at the beginning of August.) Every dog has their own personality and quirks (I definitely know this from my funny big personality dog Olive haha) and I will adjust the handling to make sure your dog is feeling secure and taken care of on their outings.

About: I’ve owned cats my entire life and dogs for the past 8 years! I love playing with animals and am quite comfortable taking care of cats and dogs of all sizes. I’m currently acting in a local community theater show in Santa Cruz that rehearses 3 times a week. Outside of these 5 hour rehearsal blocks, I am completely free to stop by and check in with pets whenever needed. I am very careful about keeping doors and windows shut to ensure no pets get out of the house. I’m happy to clean up after your animals and make sure they feel safe with me in their space.

“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!”

Siobhan L.

About: I am reliable, detail, oriented, and experience with pets of all ages I have experience with small and large breeds, senior pets and pets with special needs I’ve always believe pets are family and I treat every dog and cat with the same love and attention. I get my own whether it’s a walk playtime or overnight care I make sure your pet feels safe happy and cared for. I’m available weekdays and weekends with flexible scheduling to fit your needs communication is important. I’ll send regular updates and photos so you feel connected.