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%.
About: Hello! My name is Leo, and I have been in and out of dog-related jobs since I was fifteen years old. I am only twenty years old and a college student; however, my passion for animals (specifically dogs) is what drives me the most, and I would be as committed as necessary to your pet in all cases. I would provide your pet with premium care to the fullest extent! I worked at AlphaDog Lodging (a dog boarding/daycare) for just under two years, followed by a 9-month unpaid intership at Camino Alto Veterinary Clinic. I have also recently been dog-sitting quite a bit, my longest stay being two weeks. My experience in animal care is to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a Veterinarian, and Rover gives me the opportunity to keep working hard for you and your pet! June 23rd - July 26th: Free every day, anytime. July 28th-August 28th: Downtown Santa Cruz, available all day Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun. Unfortunately, gone from 9am-4pm on Tues and Thurs (can stop by at noon though). Can do any night, if you are comfortable with your dog being alone for four hours at a time. August 28th-September 23rd: Downtown Santa Cruz, free any day, any time! Santa Cruz: I live in a studio attached to a house with a large front and back yard. Our backyard is fenced in and quite exciting for dogs to explore. We get lots of birds and squirrels, and sometimes a neighbor's cat comes by to visit. I would have your pet stay in my room on a cot, bed, or crate (I only have a cot and a small dog bed here). Kenwood: I live on a large property with my parents, where I could bring your pet home, and they could run forever. Everything is fenced in here; however would prefer bringing a smaller dog home. I am very open to staying in your home as well, for a greater price.
“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.”
“Lupita did a wonderful taking care of our cats. We appreciated the pictures she shared and the overview of their behavior. Communication with Lupita was easy. She’s an excellent pet sitter!”
About: I’ve taken care of, and loved, animals since I was a child. Including my own family dog who is now 17, cats, chickens, and snakes. I recently graduated and am missing my puppy more than ever. While I can’t have pets of my own right now I’d love to help care for yours! I’m available afternoons, and evenings on weekdays, and all day on weekends. My work schedule is flexible and can be easily adapted to suit the needs of you and your pet. I have a fenced in yard and spacious house located within a lovely neighborhood with it’s own little hiking trail for your pet to explore.
About: I've lived with and cared for cats and dogs my whole life. I have experience with senior cats, one of which was diabetic and required daily insulin. I'm comfortable giving medication and love spending time with animals! I’m a quick learner and will stick to the animals routine. I’m currently a student, but I’d love to spend more time with cats and dogs throughout my week! My class schedule is flexible, so I have plenty of time to take care of you pets! I am attentive and do my best accommodate the pet's needs. I am able to spend time outside with pets (if needed), and will stick to the pet's normal routine.
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’ve had dogs all my life and have dog walked, house sat for dogs, and helped trained my sister’s puppy. I share a special bond with dogs! I currently am only working part-time, so I will be able to be very attentive with the dog. I can take for multiple walks a day, be active, and even help train more. I live in a condo at the moment with no yard, so I will mostly be taking them for walks or find ways to be active outside of the home. I can crate them in your home if needed, and won’t let them in furniture or beds.
“While I was away for the weekend, my sister-in-law unexpectedly was no longer able to care for my dog. I reached out to Mamu, and thankfully, they were available to drop in on short notice. Later, another emergency came up where we missed our connecting flight and couldn’t make it home for an extra day. I contacted Mamu again, and once more, they came through and were able to stop by and care for my dog with very short notice. I’m incredibly grateful for their flexibility and reliability, especially under these stressful situations.”
About: I’ve taken care of neighbors’ and family members’ pets since I was little, and been a reliable and trustworthy caretaker. I have been caring for dogs for five years, including elderly, deaf, and blind dogs. I understand the nuance to earning trust of shy or elderly pets. I have always loved animals and I have repeat clients that find me reliable and loved by their pets. My schedule is very open right now, so I have plenty of time to spend with your pets and give them the attention and love they deserve. I have pets of my own at my home where I live with my parents, so I will care for your pets in your home, either staying at the house or doing drop-ins. I am clean and respectful and I love spending time with animals, respecting and getting to know them on their terms.
“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.”
About: What can I say? I freaking love animals so much 🥰 I’m a proud dog mom to two pups so I know how hard it can be to leave your babies behind. That’s actually why I started using Rover to find a sitter but also realized I wanted to be that person for someone else. I’ll get to know your baby, their personality, routines, weird little quirks, and whatever makes them happy. Whether they want to run around and play, need a little extra patience, or just want to hang out next to me, I’m happy to meet them where they’re at. I’ll send you lots of pictures and updates too❤️ It’s not just another booking to me. I understand they are family and I’ll treat them like my own with lots of love, attention, and probably way too many treats 😅🐶🐱 I do have a full time job, but I have the flexibility to work from home a couple days a week. This gives me the opportunity to take breaks throughout the day for walks, check ins, potty breaks, and some extra attention when needed. I’m also a big believer in leaving things as good as or better than I found them. I’m naturally clean, organized, and respectful of other people’s homes. I manage to keep things under control with two messy dogs of my own, so I promise I can handle yours too 😉
“Kim was great with my senior kitty! She came prepared at the meet and greet and I knew my cat was in good hands while I was gone. She was communicative and kept me updated after every drop in visit. I highly recommend Kim!”
About: Pets have been a big part of my childhood. I cared for my family’s senior dog, have pet-sat frequently for friends and family, as well as a few informal clients off rover. I also love being active and running around the Santa Cruz neighborhoods! I’m the perfect pick if you want your dog to get some walks in. I truly believe that all animals require the same kindness, patience, and guidance that people do and I would love to be a part of your journey in caring for your companion :) At the moment, I’m in college but am very flexible and have a $20 discount for any new clients. That’s a walk for free! Please reach out anytime My number one concern in making sure that the owners wants and needs are clearly met and communicated as soon as we meet! It’s so important to me to be able to respect boundaries and more importantly knowing those needs will help me to take the best care I can of our beloved pet companions !! :))
About: I’ve taken care of many different types of animals since I was 9. I have lots of experience with both cats and dogs. I’ve even taken care of reptiles! I take great pride in the fact that I’ve trained many dogs (all self taught) I believe I have an amazing set of qualities like genuine love for animals, reliability, excellent communication with pet owners, and flexibility in scheduling. I also believe I create a comfortable and safe environment for pets. Pet care fits into my daily/weekly routine due to my flexible schedule that allows me to provide personalized and attentive pet care every day! To ensure safety, trust, and a comfortable environment for pets in my home or a client’s, I keep the space clean and secure, follow the owner’s instructions carefully, maintain open communication, create a calm atmosphere, use pet-proofing measures, and always supervise the pets.
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!
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- 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?
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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
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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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