Doggy Day Care Santa Cruz
Drop off your dog at your sitter's home in the morning, and pick them up in the evening.
Over 217 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked doggy day care
Santa Cruz, Find top rated doggy day care
Prices are estimates per day for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Nancy was a dream come true. Our puppy wasn’t feeling well when we dropped her off and Nancy welcomed her with open arms and kept us updated throughout the day. I felt like our dog was in the best hands possible to take care of her when we couldn’t.”
“Blue enjoyed her latest visit with Marina, as always. We know Blue is very well taken care of when she’s with Marina. Lots of walks and love are Blue’s favorite things, and Marina delivers.”
“Kate is the absolute best! We are happy with her watching our pup, Teddy. She takes great care of him and she treats him like he is her own. She is great at communicating and she keeps us updated on how he is doing while he stays with her. I cannot rave about her enough. I highly recommend having her watch your fur baby.”
About: I have loved and cared for all types of animals ever since I was a little kid! I’ve had senior dogs, puppies, all types of cats, and even rats and fish! I have also volunteered at multiple animal shelters throughout the years, and have also walked and helped take care of friends and families pets. I currently have one cat of my own and help take care of two other cats and a bird! (: I am currently a wedding planner, which gives me tons of free time during the week since I don’t work and some weekends! My schedule allows me to be super flexible I will always make sure your animal has a clean and safe space (and of course tons of love) I will always keep an eye on them and give them all of my attention, I’ll even send you updates and photos (:
“Bodhi had a great time with Jai and was a tired, happy pup at the end of the day. My travel plans changed last minute and Jai was flexible and responsive. Will most certainly ask Jai to watch my pup in the future.”
About: I love the small dogs under 20#'s. My yard is secure and doggie friendly. I have a rescue poodle mixes and a toy Australian shepherd, they love to have doggie slumber parties! I have taken care of dogs over 30 years, easy access off freeway. Your pet will have a wonderful time playing and basking in the sun or shade, there are many doggie lounges, water bowls and toys to keep them happy, until you get back from your trip, no worries! I am a retired registered nurse. I have been sitting through ROVER, previously w dog Vacay, for the past 5+ years with many repeat customers. Woof! About this sitter: Love small non allergenic small dogs. My two rescue dogs are friendly. Have a nice secure dog friendly yard. I’m currently retired RN. Home most of the time. With plenty of time for personal attention to all dogs at all times indoors and outdoors Both friendly dogs. Crate trained. Mostly they have free roaming around house indoors and outdoors in secure yard and lots of toys to keep them happy
“Libby was a kind, compassionate, and diligent caregiver to my dog! Easy to work with, easy to communicate with, I felt she listened to me when explaining my dog's needs which made me feel very comfortable leaving my dog with her. I would definitely ask Libby to watch my pup again anytime and am glad to have found such a wonderful dog sitter. My dog was relaxed, happy, and not at all anxious when I picked him up.”
“Natalia was a great rover host for my girl. It's never easy finding and trusting a new sitter in a new area when traveling but she was fantastic! A safe home environment for my girl while I worked. I'll most definitely be using her again when I'm in the area.”
“Bianca was so great with Olive! Her communication and care for her was fantastic. She understood olives quirks and put our tips and commands to work. I had a last minute meeting come up and she extended the sit without issue. So happy to have found and met Bianca!”
About: I’ve had dogs in my life for 30 years. I’ve been dog sitting for friends and family for over 20 years. My own dogs have graduated top of their class in puppy training school. I currently work from home, so I can arrange my schedule to make sure dogs in my care get all the love, affection, and attention they need and deserve. I have a small fenced in yard, good for small and medium dogs. My dog is friendly and even shares some toys. I can crate your dog if preferred. I am also within walking distance to a dog park, and an easy drive to dog beaches
About: I’m a military veteran who just FABsolutely loves animals! Dogs and cats are a huge priority in my life. I have a cat of my own who’s named Monroe Sky Bubbles. She’s a domestic shorthair crossed with Siamese. I've worked on a dog ranch before where I've had access to acres upon acres of land, with up to 10 dogs at a time. I specialize in daycare and overnight boarding. I’m here for your furry friend whenever you need a vacation. I couldn’t imagine my life without pets. 🐾ThePAWsobilitiesREndless I work 24/7 wanting to take care of animals. Not by force, but by choice. I love dogs as if they were my own kids. 😊🐾 I will go to your residence and watch your pet for you or I can walk your furry friend if needed whenever you need me to. I am here for your furry companion whenever you are not able to.
“So glad we found Shannon and Chris!! They are clearly dog people and made our pup feel right at home. He can have his quirks so we’re grateful that they were so understanding and easygoing. We’ll definitely book with them again!”
“Be honest Guillermo is the first rover I will leave review for. He's very patient to the puppy. My dog is a young eskimo who is very hyper everyday. Guillermo brought my dog for several walks everyday and send me pictures. My dog came back home tired lol. He's very responsible as well! My dog learn several tricks from him. He's the best rover I've met. I go travel a lot. I will definitely come back if I travel.”
The median cost per day for doggy day care in Santa Cruz is $53
Dog parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Marina was a pleasure to meet! On short notice she was able to watch our dog Sweet Pea for the afternoon while our family was out at the Boardwalk. She checked in with photos and stories of their walks in her neighborhood too. On top of that She was very graceful with us being a little outside our scheduled time for pickup. Thank you so much Marina, looking forward to having you hang out with Sweet Pea again next time we're down in Santa Cruz.
She’s amazing! Great communication! Truly cares about animals! Totally would recommend watching your animals! Was Super caring towards my dog! My dog has bad anxiety and she was great with my dog! Worked with my dogs comfortability! Just out standing over all would have her as a sitter again!
Nancy is the best! I have used her quite a few times. This last time I was going to have outpatient surgery and ended up spending the night in the hospital. Nancy was kind enough to plan ahead for having them the extra night and day. Nancy and her family give me the utmost peace of mind for leaving my 2 Bichons in her home.
Julia was very prompt when I contacted her on the day I urgently needed help for my dog. She was incredibly kind, compassionate, and truly took great care of my furbaby as if it were her own. She was attentive, gentle, and made sure my dog felt safe and comfortable the entire time. Her professionalism and genuine love for animals really showed, and it gave me so much peace of mind. I’m happy to know that I have someone I can truly rely on whenever we are in town. I am truly grateful for her help and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone trustworthy and caring.
Karen was a tremendous help with my need for a day sitter. She is a compassionate human and my Callie warmed right up to her. She let me know her day with a couple updates and activity log which I appreciate. Will contact her again for more day sits! Thanks Karen!
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 sitters who will treat your dogs like family
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer doggy day care
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 near you
Select a filter and find qualifying Santa Cruz sitters!Sitters in Santa Cruz average 4 repeat doggy day care clients
FAQs for Doggy Day Care - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for Doggy Day Care in Santa Cruz on Rover is $49.95 per day (as of July 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of Doggy Day Care 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 Doggy Day Care. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of July 2026, there are 1,854 sitters on Rover offering Doggy Day Care across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Sitters on Rover can offer flexible scheduling, so you can coordinate times that work best for you and your pet—whether that’s early drop-off or later pick-up to match your Santa Cruz commute.
If your schedule changes, it’s best to let your sitter know through the app as early as possible. Many sitters can adjust pick-up and drop-off times when needed.
Think of doggy day care as your dog’s fun, supervised play date that happens to fit into your workday. Day care through Rover takes place in a real home. This offers a calmer and more personalized environment for your pup.
A typical day can include companionship, one-on-one attention, and same day pick-up and drop-off. Many sitters can also offer structured routines and exercise throughout the day. For recurring, weekly day care, sitters will include photo updates so you can see your dog in their element.
Here are tips for finding the ideal day care fit for your dog:
- For some small dogs: In-home day care can be the perfect fit. Look for sitters whose "can host" section only lists dogs weighing 0–7 kilograms and/or 7–18 kilograms. During your Meet & Greet, ask about play areas based on dog size and energy level.
- For high-energy dogs: The ideal doggy day care can offer scheduled breaks and outdoor spaces or activities. You can also find sitters who host multiple dogs to satisfy your pup’s socializing needs.
- For dogs who prefer human-only companionship: Use the filters "Doesn't own a dog" and "Only accepts one pet at a time" to find the right care.
Play groups can be an option when you book with a day care sitter through Rover. Many sitters do host a small number of dogs at the same time. Smaller dog packs are generally safer, more fun, and ideal for dogs who enjoy playtime but also want to relax throughout the day. When looking for your dog’s pack, check the sitter’s profile to see if they "Accept multiple clients" or have their own dogs. Then during the Meet & Greet, you can see whether your dog is a good fit for their social circle!
While each sitter sets their own vaccine requirements, staying up-to-date on your dog’s vaccines is the best way to be "boarding ready". Vaccinations help create a safe environment for all pets under a sitter’s care.
Many sitters in CA ask that dogs be up to date on core vaccines like the Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper, Canine Adenovirus, Bordetella, and Rabies.
By discussing your pet's health history early, you’re adding a layer of confidence for you and your sitter before the booking begins.
Every sitter 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 .
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.
A Meet & Greet is a short introductory meeting between you, your dog, and a sitter. It can take place in person or virtually, although we recommend in-person so that your pet can get to know your sitter 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 sitter questions about their skills and expertise, and make sure the fit feels right for everyone. Most pet parents and sitters 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.
Yes, Rover is well-suited for finding sitters who can care for your pet within 24 hours. With 1,854 sitters in Santa Cruz, 90% respond to messages in under an hour.
You can message multiple sitters simultaneously to find the fastest available match. If you need care today or tomorrow, you can look for sitters with a "calendar last updated" notice on their profiles.
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 sitter.
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