House Sitting Santa Cruz
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 464 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%.
“I reached out to Mamoo last minute for a sudden trip out of town, and they were absolutely amazing! They dropped everything to help out on short notice and took wonderful care of my two dogs. I got regular updates and came home to happy pups and a clean house. I’m so grateful for their flexibility and attention to detail. I’d definitely book with them again in the future!”
“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!”
“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!!”
“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!!”
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.
“I can’t say enough good about Michelle. She stayed with our 17-y-o dog (who definitely has his quirks and separation needs) for 2 weeks while we were traveling, and she was so caring, responsible and conscientious. Kept us in the loop so we didn’t worry, and left our home in beautiful shape. We will definitely have her back to help us out in the future!”
“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 :)”
“My husband and I highly recommend Jennifer! We have never had anyone but family watch our dog (he’s 12) so this was our first time using Rover. Jennifer was supper responsive and took excellent care of our pride and joy! Will definitely be using her in the future!”
“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.”
“Kivi was so fantastic watching my doodle Winnie while I was traveling for the week. She took her on so many adventures and kept me updated with consistent communication and it really allowed me to relax on my trip knowing her and my apartment was in good hands. Thanks so much again!”
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 man and his puppy -Successfully trained my own high energy cattle dog, who is now wonderfully well-behaved -Every walk I work on leash training and have watched my techniques turn into success, with 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 can most likely accomadate a last minute request as well since doggie sitting is my main job, so feel free to ask. I also can accomadate different house sitting rates depending on the circumstance so feel free to communicate with me. 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 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.
“We loved Amy!! She stayed at our house and took care of our senior dog over Thanksgiving. She met with us beforehand and clearly cared a lot about making sure she was doing exactly what we asked and caring for our dog the way he needs. She kept in contact with us daily, sent us photos and videos of our dog living his absolute BEST LIFE with snuggles and walks and belly rubs. We returned and the house was tidy as we had left it. Amy had made the effort to strip the bed and get the sheets started in the washer as well. Great experience, we will definitely be reaching out to her again should we ever need someone to care for our guy!”
About: I've had pets my entire life. I grew up with cats, dogs, and fish, and learned to care for them all. I'm most comfortable working with dogs and cats, but I love all animals! I have experience with walks (either just for a quick potty break or for an hour-and-a-half-long ramble), feeding pets, giving medications, playing (whether it's fetch, belly rubs, or retrieving the ball from where it's rolled under the couch). I love getting to know pets -- I'm the kind of person who smiles at every dog they see out walking -- and I would love to meet your furry friends! I'm a free agent right now, so I have plenty of time for pets! I tend to be less busy in the afternoons and evenings, so being able to house-sit or petsit then would be ideal, but mornings can work too! Pets aren't allowed in my apartment, so I would be house-sitting -- which, frankly, I think is preferable for our furry friends! It's much less stressful for them to have a new person in their house than go to a new place with new people. I want my four-legged clients to be as comfortable as possible.
“Lauren took great care of my dogs for me! She checked in with photos and was great with communicating. When I got back home both of my dogs were smiling and wagging their tails- I could tell they were comfortable and cared for.”
The median cost per night for house sitting in Santa Cruz is $73
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
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!
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.
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!
Deanna was so great, and house sat for us while watching our cat, Jesse! Our cat is very social, so it's super helpful to have someone be able to stay over while we were gone. Jesse loved Deanna, and was very warm and cuddly with them. Deanna sent us photos and video updates, and also took Jesse on daily walks (our cat has a harness and leash, and loves to be outside!). We will definitely be booking Deanna again, and I know Jesse will be very happy when Deanna returns as well! Deanna also left our home extremely clean, and even put our sheets in the laundry for us and ran the dishwasher on the last day. We definitely recomend hiring Deanna!
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 4 repeat house sitting clients
FAQs for House Sitting - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for House Sitting in Santa Cruz on Rover is $44.4 per night (as of September 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of House Sitting 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 House Sitting. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of September 2026, there are 3,147 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.
Tip: 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 short introductory meeting between you, your pet, 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.
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.
Yes, you can find sitters who have experience with handling special pet needs in Santa Cruz. On Rover:
- 93% of sitters can help with special care needs
- 98% 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.
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