Dog Walking Santa Cruz
Book a dog walker to give your dog a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood.

Over 296 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: Dogs Are My World – I have extensive hands-on experience with dogs: Worked at an animal shelter, caring for many different dogs with a variety of needs Served as a personal babysitter for a puppy and adult dogs Provided ongoing care for a senior woman and her dog Successfully trained my own dog, who is now wonderfully well-behaved Every walk I work on leash training and have watched my techniques turn into success in stopping leash pulling and better leash manners. I’m extremely responsible, reliable, and patient. Whether it’s daily walks, playtime, training reinforcement, or just giving your pup lots of love and attention while you’re away, I treat every dog like my own. I am versitile in dog psychology and really understand how do give them what they need. Your dog’s happiness and safety are my top priority! I am currently fully available days and nights. I live in aptos in a studio with my boyfriend and I am missing the doggie love in my life right now! I would NEVER leave your dog alone. If they're under my supervision we are now bestfriends on a playdate all day. I can accomadate any kind of activities you would prefer your dog to do. Wether thats beach time, socializing with other dogs, NOT socializing with other dogs, hiking in the woods (If they're tick and flea vaccinated), or a day of training and playing in the park. I would love to accomadate what is best for your dog's needs.

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.

About: Growing up my family loved and cared for many pets. Now I have a fur baby of my own, my kitty named Pan. I have a great deal of experience looking after furry loved ones and I would treat your babies as if they were my own! I am currently focusing on volunteer work for experience in my field so I have a lot of free time to look after your fur babies! I will respect whatever boundaries you have while taking care of your furry friends! I am a very good listener and I am very passionate about loving animals!
“Celeste is wonderful. We had met and already agreed to a three night pet sit later in the month, and some weekend walks with Duchess so they could get better acquainted before the overnights. Then I sprained my ankle and my wife's lower back went out. Celeste on very short notice stepped up by taking Duchess for unscheduled neighborhood walks so we could rest and recover. Two walks in now and Celeste and Duchess have clearly bonded. Duchess is a totally happy love bucket who thinks every person is her friend, but she responds best to people who are naturally relaxed and comfortable around pups while being the loving person in charge. Celeste checks all those boxes. We are very happy that we have more walks and a pet sit scheduled with Celeste.”

“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!”

“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!”

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.

About: I've been taking care of animals for quite some time now! I have two senior dogs myself and snakes. I look forward to meeting you both! I usually have a routine with my senior puppies, therefore creating one that suits your dog's needs will be no problem at all! I'm flexible at the moment since it's summertime. I will follow the safety protocols! If there are any additional instructions or care needed that will be applied to the routine as well. Ensuring all doors and windows are locked while all food is put away.
About: I’ve spent much of my life growing up with both dogs and cats that I love very much. I understand that dogs especially need a lot of attention and that some require high activity which I look forward to providing. I am a very patient and caring individual and will gladly implement any special care instructions your dog may need. I love spending much of my free time outdoors, weather it’s at the beach or on the trail- I’d love to bring your special friend along! If not, I’m totally open to day/overnight pet care in your home. I believe that human interaction with other animals is an important part of life and having dogs is a great way to feel that special connection :-) I am currently working full time and am able to house-sit your pet and take them out before and after my shifts, which are usually ~6 hours and local to Santa Cruz, no long commute back to town. If you need me outside of my scheduled availability, please message me for details In order to keep your pet safe, I will make sure I always have them in sight and am aware of their surroundings and any potential hazards, such as food, chemicals, or small parts
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.
“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!”

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: 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.
“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’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!
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.

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.
The median cost per walk for dog walking in Santa Cruz is $25
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
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!

Delaney is the BEST and such a sweet person. She took amazing care of Lucky and I’m so grateful for her help. She sent me adorable photos and videos of their adventures which I loved! It’s always stressful finding a new pet sitter because I want someone who not only keeps my pup safe but also loves him almost as much as I do, but that clearly wasn’t a worry with her. Delaney went above and beyond, highly recommend and will use her in the future! :)

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!

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!

10/10 highly recommend Noah’s pet sitting services! My pup absolutely loved him and had such a great time under his care. Noah kindly agreed to a very last minute request to walk Lucky during inclement weather and I am incredibly grateful for his patience with me and the situation. I look forward to working with him in the future!

Anna was wonderful in taking my dog, Haley, for walks when I was laid up with an issue with my foot. Anna let me know when she was on the way over, very on time, super nice upon meeting, great with introducing to my dog Haley and engaging with Haley, very sweet. I so appreciated Anna's help and would definitely reach out to Anna again when I need help.

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?
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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
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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 $25.53 per walk (as of July 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 July 2026, there are 4,728 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.














