Pet Sitting in Santa Cruz
Book a pet sitter to stop by your home a few times a day to feed and play with your pet.

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Top rated Santa Cruz pet sitters
Prices are estimates per visit for 1 dog. Pricing may vary based on your search and includes a booking fee of 11%.

About: Hi, I’m Joe. I’m a remote wellness educator and retreat facilitator who splits time between Northern California and Costa Rica. Because I work remotely most of the day, pets in my care receive steady companionship, consistent routines, and a calm, reliable presence. I work remotely and maintain a flexible schedule, which allows me to provide steady companionship and supervision throughout the day. Pet care integrates naturally into my daily routine, including morning walks, feeding, and check-ins, with additional walks, play, and attention in the afternoon and evening. Because I’m home most of the day, pets are rarely left alone for extended periods and receive consistent care, structure, and presence. Safety, consistency, and respect for each pet’s routine are my top priorities. In a client’s home, I maintain the pet’s established schedule for feeding, walks, medication, and rest to help them feel secure and comfortable. I’m attentive to behavior, environment, and safety during walks and always keep dogs leashed unless otherwise instructed.
“Chelsea does great with my puppy Ringo! She was able to come last minute ( my daughter called me worried about him when she left for work, she said he was barking and had some separation anxiety! ) By the time I got home, he was a happier puppy after Chelsea’s visit!”

“Lauren is the absolute best! She’s great with my dog and he’s adores her. She’s incredibly professional and is always on time. I love the notes she leaves on the app for my dog and the way she cares and bonds with my pup is unmatched!”


About: I used to pet sit very frequently in my neighborhood as well as volunteered at the local animal shelter. My family adopted a 6 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback named Nova a few years back and I was on the front lines for damage control (making sure nothing was being destroyed), feeding schedule, walks multiple times a day, and lots of cuddles. I took Nova to puppy training where she eventually graduated! (Yay Nova) I am currently a college student in the area but have a very flexible schedule and weekends open! I am happy to take furry friends of all ages and levels on long hikes on trails or just a quick stroll around the block. Potty breaks, playtime, and treats (if permitted) can also easily be fit into my schedule. I am here to help you and your dog to however makes you comfortable. I am here to watch intently and make sure your dog has a fun, comfortable time with someone who isn’t their immediate parent. I always keep a leash, water bowl, and blanket/towel in my car just in case!
“Julia is a wonderful person! She is kind, thoughtful, and connected to our exuberant puppies immediately! We felt very comfortable with her caring for them. Thank you, Julia, for being so fabulous!”

“Jasmine was fantastic with my cat. She’s a great communicator, took care of my pet and was very sensitive to my needs and requests. I will definitely ask for her to care for my pets again.”

About: I have taken care of just about any household and farm pet you can think of my whole life. I grew up with chickens, ducks, dogs and sitting for friends cats and my grandmas farm animals. During that time, I have fed, bathed, walked, and trained pets including my own Toy Poodles and Rhodesian Ridgeback. I am available on Rover around my work schedule, but for consistent sitting I would love to work together to work out a regular schedule. Whatever the case, I want to ensure I can give your pet the care and attention they need! I would love to care for your pet in the comfort of your own home and I understand the importance of you and your pets safety.
“Evelyn was great, and so happy we were able to find her even last minute. She communicated promptly and often. Smoke (our cat) seemed to love her immediately and he has discerning taste. Got all the pets and cuddles, was fed, dealt with his cat litter. Loved all the pics and videos in the check-in. Couldn't ask for anything more when you are leaving your pet in the care of someone else.”

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.
“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!”


About: An animal lover since I was small, I have countless years of experience with dogs of all sizes, personalities, breeds and more! I have a background in dog training and handling with my own dogs, as well as leash training and walking! I have three dogs back home whom I miss constantly. I love all animals and I’m happy to provide your furry friend with the best care possible! I’m currently a student enrolled at UCSC who attends classes three days a week. My schedule is fairly flexible, and I’m completely free on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as weekends! I have lots of sizeable breaks on class days as well where I can stop by and check in. I have sizeable a fenced in yard with room for your furry friend to explore! I have two cats who are big dog fans and very sociable as well.
About: What sets me apart is that caring for animals isn’t just something I do—it’s something I’ve lived my entire life. I grew up with a golden retriever named Arwen, and from 8th grade on, I was fully responsible for her walks, training, and care. I even started waking up an hour earlier every day just to make sure she got her morning walk in before school! Later, when I moved to the U.S. for college, I helped raise and train my roommate’s husky puppy, Ava, who struggled with separation anxiety. I’d take her to class, skate with her to tire her out, and help her stay calm and confident. It was like co-parenting a very energetic fur baby—and I loved every minute. I’ve cared for dogs of all ages and personalities—from hyper puppies to senior dogs with medical needs. My husband and I pet sat for two elderly Bichon Frises (17 years old!) every year while their owners traveled, carefully managing their diet, medications, and gentle exercise. I’ve also grown to love cats after living with Archie—my first real cat roommate—and have experience gently brushing, bonding, and caring for both indoor and stray cats (I even accidentally helped my mom adopt a kitten when I took in a stray!). Most recently, I taught my in-laws’ senior dog Ellie new tricks at the age of 7, proving that even older pups can learn with patience and love. We can’t have pets in our home right now due to landlord restrictions, so pet sitting is how I stay connected to what I love most—animals. I treat every pet like they’re my own, and I genuinely enjoy making them feel safe, happy, and loved while their humans are away. I am a bioengineering Ph.D. Student, most of the time I have freedom of picking my hours, as well as working from home when needed! I always start by learning as much as I can about your pet’s routine, preferences, health needs, and quirks. Whether it’s medication schedules, feeding routines, or special toys they love—I’m here to follow your instructions to a T. I do my best to keep your pet’s day feeling as normal as possible while you’re away. I’m extremely respectful of your home and always aim to leave it just as you left it (or better!). I double-check doors and windows, never leave pets unsupervised outside, and keep a tidy, pet-safe environment throughout the stay. I also send regular updates—photos, videos, and check-ins—so you can relax knowing your fur baby is happy and well cared for. If you ever need in-my-home care in the future (pending landlord approval!), my goal would be to provide a cozy, stress-free space that’s clean, safe, and set up to meet your pet’s unique needs.
About: With 15 years of hands-on pet care experience, I’ve cared for cats, kittens, puppies, seniors, and dogs with special routines. I’m patient, reliable, and always treat pets like family. Pet care fits naturally into my daily routine. I plan my schedule around feedings, walks, playtime, and check-ins so pets always receive consistent, attentive care. I care for pets in a calm, clean, and pet-safe home environment. I follow each pet’s routine closely, provide supervision, regular walks, playtime, and plenty of affection.
“Cabe helped us feel reassured the minute he met our cats. He was very sweet with them and exhibited a lot of knowledge around cats’ body language and boundaries. One of our cats can be slow to trust and he completely won her over. He sent regular updates and cute pictures which helped put our minds at ease. We were very happy to have had Cabe watch our cats.”

Over 608 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked pet sitting
Santa Cruz pet parents share their Rover experiences
Chelsea does great with my puppy Ringo! She was able to come last minute ( my daughter called me worried about him when she left for work, she said he was barking and had some separation anxiety! ) By the time I got home, he was a happier puppy after Chelsea’s visit!

This was our first time booking cat sitting through Rover and Dylan made the whole experience super stress free! He was very professional, friendly, and trustworthy. He was also very flexible with our schedules and the care instructions and was able to adjust to any changes or requests. We loved the daily updates and photos of our kitties. Because of Dylan, we were able to enjoy our vacation without worrying so much about our cats. We will definitely be booking with him again!

Cheryl took excellent care of our dog and cat. She truly went above and beyond. She brushed our long haired dog daily, and won over our fickle cat. She sent us regular updates and photos when we on our travels that were a joy to receive and gave us so much peace of mind. Not only were our pets happy and relaxed when we returned home but our house was spotless- honestly cleaner than when we left it. She even took care of our garden and made sure all my plants were happy through the dry winter weather. Cheryl is professional, thoughtful and took care of our animals with so much love. We highly reccomend her!
Evelyn was great, and so happy we were able to find her even last minute. She communicated promptly and often. Smoke (our cat) seemed to love her immediately and he has discerning taste. Got all the pets and cuddles, was fed, dealt with his cat litter. Loved all the pics and videos in the check-in. Couldn't ask for anything more when you are leaving your pet in the care of someone else.

Trina did a great job looking after our 2 cats when we were away on vacation. She was extremely organized and proactively asked about all the details of how to look after our cats during our meet and greet. She really went above and beyond, and our cats seemed happy when we got home (and expected us to continue to give them all the playtime they got with Trina!).

Kevin did a great job cat sitting our three cats while we went away for over a week. He fed, brushed, played with the, and cuddled them all. The house was clean when we came home and he also took out our trash cans and brought in our mail. We will definitely use Kevin again for future trips. Thanks Kevin!
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.

Popular requests near you
Select a filter and find qualifying Santa Cruz sitters!How Rover works

1. Search
Read verified reviews by pet parents like you and choose a sitter who’s a great match for you and your pets
2. Meet & Greet
Meet either virtually or in-person with a sitter to discuss the level of care needed for your pets while you’re away
3. Book & Pay
All payments are processed through Rover’s secured platform and your booking is backed by 24/7 support. It’s that easy!
The median cost per night for pet sitting in Santa Cruz is $28
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 pet 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.
Sitters in Santa Cruz average 6 repeat pet sitting clients
Pet Sitting FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Rover
Pet sitters on Rover are free to set their rates. The median cost to hire a pet sitter in Santa Cruz on Rover as of Mar 2026 was about $28 per night, after factoring in Rover’s service fees. A pet sitter’s rate may also change as you customize your booking to fit your and your pet’s needs.
As of Mar 2026, there are 792 pet sitters in Santa Cruz. You can filter, sort, expand your radius, read reviews, and compare pricing to find the perfect pet sitter near you. As a reminder, pet sitters joining Rover must pass a background check for you and your pet’s safety.
Rover makes it easy to reach out to multiple pet sitters about your booking. Typically, 85% of Santa Cruz pet sitters respond in under an hour.
Pet sitters in Santa Cruz have an average of 14 years of experience. Pet sitters with repeat customers have an average of 6 repeat clients. Experience can vary from pet sitter to pet sitter, but you can view reviews, years of experience, and number of repeat clients when you compare pet sitters in Santa Cruz.
Rover makes it easy to find Santa Cruz pet sitters to provide loving care from their own home. The background-checked, 5-star pet sitters you can find on Rover will welcome your pet into their home when you’re away—whether it’s just for the weekend or longer. Pet sitting is great for:
- Pets of all ages and abilities, including puppies
- Pet parents looking for a safe, loving alternative to a kennel
- Pets who’d love to socialize with their pet sitter’s pets
There are 792 pet sitters in Santa Cruz on Rover, so you’re sure to find the perfect match for your pet! In Santa Cruz, 89% of pet sitters offer daily exercise, 95% offer medication administration, and 89% have experience with senior pets and pets with special needs. We know each pet is unique and may have specific care instructions. You can filter, sort, expand your radius, read reviews, and compare pricing to find the perfect pet sitter near you. As a reminder, pet sitters joining Rover must pass background checks for you and your pet’s safety.
Yes! Sitters joining Rover must pass a background check before offering their services. You can also easily keep in touch with your pet sitter through messages on Rover for delightful photo updates. The Rover team is available 24/7, and your pet sitter has access to advice from qualified veterinary professionals. In the rare event of any issues during a booking, rest easy knowing your pet is covered by the Rover Guarantee reimbursement program for eligible veterinary care.
Note: If your pet sitter requested to cancel this booking, then they need to cancel from their account. Please contact them via Rover Messages.
We get it—sometimes plans change and you may need to cancel your pet service. You can cancel an upcoming booking directly from the Rover app or your computer, in accordance with your sitter’s cancellation policy.

















