Pet Sitting Santa Cruz
Book a pet sitter to stop by your home a few times a day to feed and play with your pet.
Over 624 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked pet sitting
Santa Cruz, Find top rated pet sitting
Prices are estimates per visit for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.
“Jaden did a wonderful job, provided great care for our boy, and went above and beyond. We are thoroughly impressed with her service and will absolutely be hiring her again for future travel. We are so thankful and highly recommend her for someone looking for flexible, communicative, and thoroughly helpful care for their fur baby(ies).”
“Lupita was great, totally exceeded all expectations. She checked in our two cats daily for a week over Christmas, and followed all our instructions. She sent us videos of them everyday, and they clearly loved her. She even won over our skittish boy who's slow to warm up to strangers. Lupita is also very responsible over text and kind/easy to communicate with. Would recommend to anyone.”
“Jade is terrific! She did a drop-in twice daily. She was always on time. She did exactly what I needed done for my beloved dachshund. She was is a very caring young woman and I will definitely ask her to are for my dog. Try her out, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“Shylynn was wonderful and caring with my cats. She also kept me updated and sent lots of photos so I could relax while I was away. She genuinely cares about the pets in your life & is an excellent pet sitter.”
“Miranda did a wonderful job taking care of our dog. She was very professional and attentive when we met. Our dog was happy and healthy after several days under Miranda's care”
About: My entire family love animals so I have had a variety of pets throughout my life. I have had fish, a dog, a cat, and a turtle! I love pets and I would love to help others with theirs!!! I dog sit for my family members when they need me to. As a student I have a lot of flexibility in my day to day schedule to take care of pets! My longest classes are an hour and half. I make sure there’s spaces in my schedule to have time to check in on the pets I’m caring for. I care for pets in a very caring way, I am very patient and calm. I try to feel the pets vibe so I match their energy and not overwhelm them. I would say I am also a very playful person if the pet is open to play.
“Jasmine does an excellent job with my dog; and he adores her. She is one of the only people who can get him to eat consistently; even more than I can! If it was possible for me, I’d have her check on my dog even more!”
“Jennifer was amazing with our cat Maca! From the start, she was super sweet and easy to communicate with. She went above and beyond every day — sending us updates, photos, and making sure Maca was happy and taken care of. It was such a relief knowing our kitty was in good hands while we were away. Maca is a shy cat with new people and we really appreciated Jennifer’s patience in making her feel comfortable and gaining her trust while we were gone. We would 100% book again with Jennifer and highly recommend!”
“David was really easy to work with and very flexible. I extended my vacation by a day and David was able to continue past the original dates set up for his drop-ins. I loved the pictures each visit. Everything looked good when I returned. I will ask him to sit again in the future.”
“Emma did a great job with our 8 year old Lab Ruby. She was easy to communicate with and very sweet with our dog. She followed all our instructions and sent pictures while we were away. We’ll definitely reach out to her next time we need a dog sitter.”
“Deanna did a great job checking up on my cats while I was away around Christmas and New Years. Deanna was very flexible when my flights got rescheduled due to weather, communicated quickly, and sent daily update photos. I would highly recommend her.”
About: Hi, I'm Jenn! Having six years of experience as a vet tech, six years of experience caring for pets professionally, and caring for my personal furry companions animals for over 6o years, I bring an exceptional blend of experience, care, and responsibility to my pet care. I have a huge heart for cats and dogs and love to see them happy in their environment. My sensitive nature allows me to be highly attuned to animals and their needs. Others have often commented on my ability to anticipate the needs of people and animals before they are aware of them. I believe in the health and wellbeing of all living things. When your animal is under my care, you can be assured they are receiving the nurturing and care they deserve. I am available for walking, visits, boarding, and more. Please inquire for your particular needs and desires for your pet in your absence. I would be happy to keep your pet loved and safe while you are away. Injections, special needs, training/rehabilitation I am in a very open and expansive time currently in life. I am widely available round the clock for your pets needs. I am available daytime, evenings, and weekends. I do not have a fenced yard on the property I live on in the country, so when boarding with me, dogs will be on leash when outdoors. They will enjoy the many walks they will have around here. When at your home, I take care of your fur baby and belongs with the utmost respect and safety.
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.
“Skye did an amazing job taking care of my 3 pets. They were all very calm and happy when I had arrived home. She played with my dog Luna in the yard and the pictures showed a very happy girl with her red ball.”
About: Over the course of my life I have owned, raised and cared for dogs (Husky + Pitbull mutt, Lab and Chihuahua), chickens, quail, fish, lizards and cats. I'm very organized when it comes to scheduling, I've attached a screenshot of my weekly schedule from January1 - March 20th. I'll have my schedule for April-June posted by the end of March. I'm constantly updating my available times on the app and will stay in communication if scheduling problems come up. I'm a very flexible person as well, I usually don't mind driving if locations change or re-scheduling. Any pet in my care will have my utmost attention and loads of affection, and I welcome your detailed instructions as to how you’d like your pet cared for. I'm very conscious about having a safe environment, making sure any trash or choking hazards are out of reach, as well as closely monitoring outside time.
About: Caring for animals has always been part of my life. I grew up surrounded by pets of all kinds, including dogs, cats, birds with feathers, fish with fins, and even those with scales. That early exposure gave me a deep comfort and appreciation for animals of every personality and species. I am recently retired, which gives me the flexibility to be fully present and available for pet care when needed. My schedule allows me to accommodate walks, drop-ins, overnights, and extended stays without the constraints of a traditional workday. This flexibility means your pets receive consistent attention, timely care, and a calm, unhurried presence while you are away. When caring for pets in my home, they become part of an active, dog-friendly neighborhood with plenty to explore. I live just 1.5 blocks from the beach and close to great walking spots like Arana Gulch, the park at the end of Schwan Lake, and a nearby dog park only minutes away. Dogs in my care enjoy fresh air, fun walks, and plenty of playtime balanced with calm downtime at home. When caring for pets in a client’s home, I focus on maintaining their normal routines so they feel safe and comfortable in familiar surroundings.
The median cost per visit for pet sitting in Santa Cruz is $28
Pet parents share their Rover experiences - Santa Cruz
Trina treats our kitty like royalty. We returned after a 10 day trip to find him content, playful, and a bit heavier, which is amazing because he has recently been losing weight. Trina even extended her visit to make sure he was ok after some belly issues. I’m sure he misses her when we come back! Trina helps in so many other ways while we’re away and is truly a blessing to us and kitty. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful and supportive person in my life.
I'm so grateful we found Jasmine! I felt very safe leaving our pets and home in her care during a longer oversees trip. She is an excellent communicator, and has lots of experience with lots of animals and was confident with my picky eater and a cat who needed medication. She even ended up dealing with an ant infestation, and was resourceful and professional. We'll definitely work with her again.
Dylan was great looking after our pets while we were away on holiday. He’s a great communicator, we received daily updates, and he was very consistent with their care. Our dogs immediately liked him, and he took them on daily walks. Even our shy cat and moody rabbit warmed up to him. We felt at ease during our holiday, knowing our pets were safe and well taken care of. We look forward to using Dylan’s services in the future again, and would recommend him to other pet owners.
Deanna was absolutely wonderful! She was incredibly communicative and kept me updated the entire time, sending lots of photos and letting me know how my pups were doing, which gave me so much peace of mind while I was away. She was reliable, attentive, and truly went above and beyond to make sure they were happy and well cared for. I really appreciated how on top of everything she was and would 100% trust her with my dogs again. Highly recommend her! ❤️
Jennifer did very well with my extremely shy young dog. This was the first time that I had someone take care of him while my husband and I had a 2-day getaway. I was so happy he got used to her quickly, and she could put his coat on and off and take him for several walks. She was very patient and communicated with me well! I would definitely recommend her.
Kit took great care of our two cats! She met with us beforehand to review everything, communicated well throughout our trip, and sent lots of photos to keep us connected. I would definitely recommend Kit to anyone looking for a reliable and caring pet sitter.
We were delighted to have Scotia cat sit our new young cats while we were on a trip. She previously provided excellent care for our senior cat so we knew she would be easy to work with, reliable, and sensitive to the cats’ needs and personalities. She won over both our cats even though they can be nervous around new people.
Jade was absolutely fantastic! My dog tends to have nervous energy around strangers but he and Jade bonded instantly. The daily photo updates were a big plus, she was great with keeping me in the loop while I was away. Besides giving him food/water she also brushed him, gave him his allergy medication, took him on lots of walks and played fetch in the back yard. 10/10 would recommend!
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 pet 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 pet sitting - Santa Cruz
Select a filter and find qualifying sitters offering pet sitting.Sitters in Santa Cruz average 6 repeat pet sitting clients
FAQs for Drop-In Visits - Santa Cruz
Frequently asked questions about Rover
The average cost for Pet Sitting in Santa Cruz on Rover is $22.47 per visit (as of August 2026). However, all sitters set their own rates based on experience, location, and availability.
Rover makes budgeting the cost of Pet 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 Pet Sitting. For more information on service fees, click here .
As of August 2026, there are 4,742 sitters on Rover offering Pet Sitting across Santa Cruz. Enter your ZIP code to see which available sitters are closest to your home.
A pet sitter can provide focused care sessions, help your pet’s routine stay on track, or keep you updated on your pet’s mood and energy levels.
Whether you’re at the office for the day or traveling for a few nights, a pet sitter can offer potty breaks during a Santa Cruz stroll, cleaning the litter box, or making sure your pet has on-time food or water refills. For daytime services like walking and drop-ins, you can also request sitters to send a report card with every visit.
Tip: You can discuss your specific arrangements with a pet sitter on Rover to what fits you, your pet, and your sitter’s needs. To find what their special skills are, look at the "Skills" and "Pet care experience" sections on their profile.
If you would like updates while you’re away, you can discuss with your sitter how many or how frequent you’d like those updates to be. The Rover app allows sitters to send photos, videos, and messages about your pet, including how many pee or poop breaks occurred. You can message your sitter at any time through the app and our support team is available 24/7 by email or chat if you have concerns.
The personalized, in-home nature of pet care through Rover can mean more individual attention for your pet.
Many pet parents provide a spare key or arrange a lockbox. You can also exchange keys during the Meet & Greet and show your walker how to use digital fobs or personalized codes. It helps to arrange access to your home, from spare keys to concierge introductions, before pet care begins.
If you live in an apartment or condo, don’t forget to discuss details like buzzer access, codes, or elevator etiquette. These details can help a pet sitter feel more comfortable going in and out of your building.
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.
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
- 96% 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 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.
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