House Sitting Santa Cruz
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 492 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked house sitting
Santa Cruz, Find top rated house sitting
Prices are estimates per night for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Don't hesitate to book Mamu to care for your pet! I can’t recommend Mamu enough! They took care of my dog for three days and followed all my care instructions. From the start, they were calm, communicative, and incredibly patient. The level of attentiveness gave me so much peace of mind while I was away. My dog and my home were well taken care of. I truly appreciated the regular updates and adorable pictures, they made me feel connected and reassured. When I got home, I could immediately tell my dog had bonded with them. I had no hesitation putting in another request for a future sit the moment I returned. Thank you again for your amazing care and presence!”
“Great pet sitter! She stayed with my car Boba and spent the night. She was very professional and did a wonderful job sending me pictures. My cat looked so happy snuggled on her lap!”
“Rachel has such a calming energy which was perfect for our pups who get a little anxious while we are away. Was great to have piece of mind knowing she was there while I was away for the full day. Appreciated the updates and picts as well. Thank you!!”
“Our pup LOVES Jennifer! She took such good care of him while we were gone, and sent us a couple of updates everyday with pictures. She walked him and played with him and it was plain to see that they have a really great connection. She took good care of the house, too. I felt so comfortable knowing that she was there - it helped me enjoy my time away that much more! I felt like Jennifer went above and beyond to do a great job!”
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.
“Cody was very sweet and calm natured, my dogs took to him immediately. I had complete peace-of-mind while they were in his care as he house-sat. He was respectful of my space, and my boys were well-cared for. Thank you, Cody! I would give you 10 stars if I could!!”
“Alderney was amazing! I had an emergency and she was able to come at the last minute and help me out. I felt so safe with her watching Stitch and my home. She is very bright and personable, understood and followed instructions and kept in good contact. I would definitely book her again and highly recommend her.”
About: Hello! My name is Anna, and I am currently studying to become a veterinarian in Santa Cruz, CA. I have worked professionally with animals for the past nine years and always treat every fur baby as if they are my own. I have built this experience through my independent pet-sitting business, my four years as a sales consultant at Pet Food Express, and my volunteer work as a cat and kitten socializer at a local shelter. I am also a mama to both my wonderful cat, Lemon, and my 16-year-old dog, Leo! I am currently very flexible with my schedule and am available for both day and overnight pet sitting. I strive not only to make your pet(s) feel as comfortable as possible, but also to help every owner feel as though they left their pet in the right hands. I love to provide as many updates and photos of your fur baby as you may want! I have the most experience with cats and dogs, but I do have limited experience with reptiles as well. I have additionally worked with animals of all temperaments, and I understand that new faces can be anxiety-inducing for some. I will always tailor each experience specifically to the needs of your animal and what will help bring them the most happiness :) Specific areas of expertise for me that may not be found elsewhere include caring for senior pets and animals who may have special needs. Through my studies, I have developed a strong foundation in primary veterinary concerns and how to properly care for an animal when they may not be feeling their best. As a current undergraduate student who pet-sits as my primary job, I am very flexible and open to caring for your animals! At most, I drive up to campus once a day for approximately two hours in the afternoon. I leave the rest of my day open to keeping your fur baby the best possible company. Pet safety is always my number one priority! I currently live in an apartment complex that contains a fenced yard, a dog park directly behind my apartment, and plenty of dog-friendly walking trails nearby. Our apartment is fairly spacious, and I have found that animals tend to love the large windows and amount of light we receive. For cats, I always ensure that all windows and doors are locked, and there are no possible escape routes (I know how sneaky cats can be)! I do currently have a very friendly cat living with me.
About: Hi, I’m Hannah! By day I’m a luxury travel advisor (yes, I plan other people’s dream vacations for a living), and by night and weekends I’m hoping to spoil your dog instead. Think of it as their own little vacation, minus the suitcase, plus way more belly rubs. I grew up with dogs of every size, from a chihuahua who thought she ran the house to a bullmastiff who took up half the couch, so I’m comfortable with pups big, small, and everywhere in between. I don’t have pets of my own right now, which just means when I’m with yours, they get 100% of my attention! New to Rover, not new to dog sitting. I’ve built lasting relationships with pup families through another app and I’m happy to share references. I can’t wait to meet your pup! Pet care has become my full time job and fits into my weekly schedule perfectly! I love doing this as my job and love meeting all the different pets! I’m very respectful and don’t do anything unless instructed! I keep my home pet proof when they are at mine and treat them apart of my own family and do or don’t do anything you request!
“Kivi was amazing with my sweet dog Nala. This was my first time asking Kivi to house sit, and she truly went above and beyond. Not only did she take Nala on great walks at the beach, but she hung out with her in her garden, sent me lots of pictures, and did all the things that Nala loves. I’m always a little nervous leaving my baby behind, but for a second I wondered if she was having more fun with me being away haha. I can tell Kivi is a genuine animal-loved, and she had a very kind and trustworthy nature. What more can you ask out of a house sitting experience?”
“Teresa is awesome! We were traveling in the Santa Cruz area and needed an extended sitter and she was fabulous. She is super timely to respond and a joy to work with. We are so grateful we found Teresa!”
“Mai was quick to respond and great with our dogs. We have a large 95 lb bernedoodle that can be intimidating. She walked and fed both dogs, while we were gone for the day and sent picture updates. Will use her again!”
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 been taking care of dogs and cats for about 8 years, whether it be neighbors, friends, or clients. I’ve done week long petsitting and simple day long care as well. I currently have 20 hours of dog walking logged at Santa Cruz animal shelter, working with dogs of all kinds. I am a full time student at UC Santa Cruz, but have a pretty flexible schedule! I mostly attend university in the morning and early afternoon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’m located in a safe neighborhood great for walks. My yard is unfenced, so I would supervise any pets that were to go outside, all depending on the owners comfort with this condition. My home is large, so there’s plenty of room to roam around.
“Naomi was great! She was super sweet and attentive towards our kitty during her house sit. She helped administer oral medication, and was very communicative about any questions and updates! Would book again :)”
“Jasmine was great at dog sitting and caring for Frank over a long weekend. She’s experienced with lots of dogs, is very responsive and communicates well. I would definitely book Jasmine again.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in Santa Cruz is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Ciara took wonderful care of our senior Lab. He is 14 and requires careful attention and she provided that and more. We received many photos each day and he looked so peaceful in every one. We came home to a spotless house that looked even better than when we left it. This was Ciara's first time with us and we look forward to more opportunities to take trips and feel completely comfortable leaving our dog in her care. Thank you Ciara!
Teresa was awesome! She took care of our 12 month old poodle for the day—she communicates regularly, sends photos and obviously loves what she does. She played with Rigby and took him with her when she went out (which he loves!). I can’t say enough about Teresa; we are so happy that we found her! She’ll be house sitting for us for a week next month and I have no worries at all.
Lauren is a wonderful pet sitter. She came over several times to housesit for us with our elderly Labrador Retriever, Kira. She and Kira really hit it off, and Lauren took her on very slow walks and gave her all her meds accordingly. She was very loving with Kira and we knew we could count on her to take the best care of her while we were gone. We highly recommend Lauren, and you can trust she’ll do a great job with your dog or cat, too!
Jennifer did housesitting for 5 days with our shy, 3 year-old dog, Butters. Everything looked great when we came back and our pup was happy. She kept us updated on their activities, I think they both enjoyed their time together! My husband and I are so estatic to find a babysitter that is reliable and our dog likes so in the future we can travel more. I would recommend Jennifer to anyone!
Hannah was an amazing sitter for our Rusty! She had great communication from the very beginning and kept us updated throughout our entire trip with pictures, videos, and messages, which gave us so much peace of mind while we were away. She even took Rusty to the beach, which was such a thoughtful extra that she absolutely didn't have to do. It was clear that she genuinely cared about making sure he was happy, active, and well loved. We came home to a happy pup, and we couldn't be more grateful. We'll definitely be booking Hannah again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a caring, reliable dog sitter!
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 pets like family
1. Search
Browse profiles of sitters near you who offer house sitting
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 house sitting - Santa Cruz
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering house sitting.Sitters in Santa Cruz average 3 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost of House Sitting in Santa Cruz on Rover is $47 per night as of October 2026. Most bookings cost between $32 and $78 per night. sitters 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 3,122 sitters on Rover offering House Sitting across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
Beyond belly rubs and feeding schedules, a house sitter’s presence may provide an additional layer of security for your home. However, you will need to arrange overnight stays and other household tasks with your sitter when reaching out to them. Not all sitters offer the same services. Common household tasks you can negotiate include:
- Mail & deliveries: Collecting letters and packages so they don't pile up.
- Plant care: Keeping your indoor or outdoor garden hydrated.
- Trash & recycling: Taking trash cans to the curb on scheduled pickup days.
- Home security: Sitters can stay overnight to keep your home occupied.
The best way to align on expectations is during your free Meet & Greet. Use this time to provide a "home cheat sheet" that includes your preferred Santa Cruz walking routes, the location of your favorite pet store, and any specific quirks about your home’s security or appliances.
It’s helpful to think of house sitting as a "home base" service. Most sitters in Santa Cruz maintain their normal daily routines, like running errands or heading to the office, meaning your pet should be comfortable being alone for a few hours at a time. If your pet needs a little extra company, here is how to find the perfect match:
- Look for "WFH" sitters: Many sitters mention "Work from Home" on their profile to indicate they’ll be present for the majority of the day.
- Update your pet’s profile: Write down how long your pet can comfortably be left alone. This helps sitters quickly determine if their schedule aligns with your needs.
- Communicate 24/7 needs: Standard house sitting usually doesn't include constant supervision. If your pet requires round-the-clock care, be sure to discuss this upfront.
<b>Tip:</b> Use the Meet & Greet to confirm a sitter's typical "away" windows. Transparency ensures your pet stays happy and your sitter can plan their day effectively!
Key handling is entirely up to you and your sitter to agree on during the Meet & Greet or in the Rover app. Most pet parents in Santa Cruz choose to hand over a spare key or digital fob in person, while others arrange a lockbox or unique access code. Don't forget to discuss key returns as well!
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 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 .
If a health concern arises during a stay, your sitter is instructed to contact you and our Trust & Safety team immediately and, if needed, take your pet to the closest veterinarian. Through our Trust & Safety support team, sitters can ask for diagnostic advice from a qualified veterinary professional if your pet is showing signs of possible illness.
For extra peace of mind, you can also prepare an authorization form for your regular vet. An authorization form outlines your preferred method of care and allows your sitter to bring your pet into their regular clinic.
Every qualified booking made on Rover is backed by the Rover Guarantee, which includes reimbursement for eligible emergency vet care.
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 sitter 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 sitter 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 sitter for longer stays or first-time bookings. Read our tips for your first Meet & Greet .
sitters on Rover set their own cancellation policy , 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 sitter.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Santa Cruz. On Rover:
- 92% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% 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.
Connect anywhere with the Rover app
