House Sitting Santa Cruz
Find a loving house sitter to watch over your pets and your home.
Over 469 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%.
“Mámoo was wonderful with our pups while we were away. It’s so nice coming back to a clean home with everything taken care of while gone. Mámoo kept me updated with pics and videos and status updates. Our pups were pampered and given lots of love. I’ll definitely hire Mámoo again in the future. Thank you so much for everything!”
“I felt like I left my sweet, anxious, and dog reactive gal, Magpie in safe hands with ML. He has a calm presence and was communicative during our trip. He left our house in great shape and I could tell when I got home that Magpie was relaxed and happy, which is always a great sign to me! I would definitely recommend him for house/dog sitting needs, and hope to book with him again in the future!”
“Sue did a fabulous job for us and our dogs. We were very comfortable having Sue house sit. Sue did a wonderful job of making our dogs feel welcome and well taken care of. Looking forward to having Sue in our house again. Already booking for our next time away!”
“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!!”
About: I have grown up in Santa Cruz my whole life. I have had many different pets and want to pursue my love for animals by taking care of yours. I have also taken an animal training course at Cabrillo College. I currently work part time as an EMT and on my days off I love to be outside and walk my dog, I usually dedicate my whole day to be with her whether it’s bike rides, walks, or beach days. I take my dog to her annual vet check ups. My dog has insurance and is currently eating 2 meals a day. One in the morning and one at night. She is a very loving dog to humans and other dogs. I trust her off leash at the beach so we do that regularly. She also enjoys cruiser bike rides on west cliff.
“Tim was excellent with our two dogs. He was really conscientious, communicative and put a lot of care into our dogs’ well being while we were gone for close to two weeks. All around great experience and would happily have Tim over again!”
“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!!”
“Kael was accommodating in every way. It was a long day for him, 14 hours, and he performed admirably. He communicated throughout the day updating me on my three dogs behavior or needs. He made them feel safe and cared for while walking, taking to dog park, feeding, and having afternoon relax time in the outdoor dog bed area. Most importantly, he kept them away from the deer and squirrels and poison oak so I wouldn't have to bath and treat them. Yay for Kael and his calmness. I definitely will hire him again.”
“Leo was such an awesome pet sitter. Our dog was obsessed with him - instantly comfortable. Leo was really attentive, great communication, and sent updates and pictures. When we came back, our dog was super chill and happy. We will definitely want to work with him again. Thank you!!”
“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?”
About: I’m a 21 year old college graduate looking to fulfill her hopes of pet setting once again! Being a full time student meant busy weeks, leaving no time for pet care. Something I actively did before transferring to UCSC. But with this newfound, post-graduate freedom, I’m eager to get back into the gig. Besides caring for my own kitties, I’ve worked with 7 clients over the past four years. All of which have been dog sitting gigs, with one job including an additional 3 cats (if that makes sense haha). And in my time as a sitter I’ve had four consistent clients. Additionally, I’m more than willing to sit for most dogs/ cats regardless of age, size, energy level, etc. It is my job (and such a privilege) to ensure their needs are met! Worth a mention - I’ve not had any experience in pet training, but I’m committed to being the best companion to the little loves! I can’t wait to connect with you and your fur-babies! I’m hoping to fill my week days (which are fairly open as of late) with pet care! Connecting with animals is truly such a rewarding job. Knowing I can make your life easier, and also that your pets are happy fills my heart with oodles of joy. My housing agreement unfortunately states that I can’t allow pets on to the premises. However, I’m extremely comfortable staying in/ visiting other spaces. Being respectful of your space is one of my top priorities.
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 night for house sitting in Santa Cruz is $75
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
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!
Akane was very kind and accommodating! She came over for a meet and greet and we appreciated how she was able to be flexible when our travel dates changed. Our dog was happy and well cared for while we were away for one night, and Akane sent plenty of updates including photos. I definitely recommend Akane and would use her services again!
Jennifer was great! Did not have to worry about a thing while out of town. Great communication, pictures, updates and all. Had a last minute medical issue and she gave medication to the doggie with no problems. Would have Jennifer back to watch the herd anytime! Thanks.
Lupita was amazing! We were in Santa Cruz on vacation for July 4 and she was so flexible, helpful and accommodating of our schedule and needs. She took great care of our dog and he saw some great sites. She's a local so she knows the good spots. She even had a video call with us ahead of our trip as an intro. Thank you so much Lupita!
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!
As first-time Rover users on Georgia’s very first road trip, we were incredibly nervous about leaving her, but Lily completely blew us away. From the moment we met her, we could just feel that she is someone you can truly trust. Lily knew exactly how to get Georgia to warm up to her, and they quickly became the absolute best of friends. On top of that, she was incredibly flexible with her time—when our schedule changed and we needed her to stay later than originally planned, she stepped up without hesitation. If you are looking for a reliable, loving, and trustworthy nanny for your fur baby, book Lily immediately. We cannot recommend her enough!
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 for House Sitting in Santa Cruz on Rover is $44.4 per night (as of August 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 August 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.
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:
- 92% 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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