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%.
“Lupita was amazing with Porsha! She took time to send lots of photos and pictures, playing with her, and checking in at every visit. We're thankful to have found Lupita and will be having her do check ins with Porsha again!”

“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!”

“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.”

“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!”

“My dog felt very comfortable around Adam, who was really accommodating in coming on short-notice and doing a quick play session to introduce himself to Champ. Adam was also very understanding about giving me updates on my dog throughout his visit. This was the first time my dog was left with someone else in months, and am glad it was with someone I felt I could trust!”

About: This is my first time on this app, but I’ve had plenty of dog walking/dog sitting experience from when I was younger. I used to take care of all the neighborhood dogs so I am used to being around and taking care of all sorts of dog types. I love dogs with a passion and will be the best walker you’ve ever had. I am a recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz and I am gearing up to apply to grad school. My schedule varies, but I’m free most early mornings for walking dogs, etc. I have experience sitting for neighbors pets so I am familiar with taking care of animals in their own homes. I will care for your beloved pet in your home following all of your wants and needs.
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! Now-June 14th 2026: Downtown Santa Cruz, free all day Tu, Th, Sat, Sun, can do nights any night, however, will be gone for four hours during the day on Mon, Wed, Fri. June 23rd - July 26th: Kenwood ONLY. 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.
“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: 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.
“Miranda was absolutely the best rover! My cats were well cared for and I didn’t doubt they were in good hands. The photos and updates were very much appreciated. Would absolutely hire Miranda again.”


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.
“Cody is an awesome pet sitter! My cats adore him, and I feel completely comfortable leaving them in his care. I know he’ll provide them with tons of love and attention, and keep up with their schedule perfectly. He’s super reliable and follows instructions well. I fully trust him to care for my kitties and my home while I’m away, and it brings me so much peace of mind to know he’s there! Thank you, Cody! You’re the best!”

“Jasmine watched our cat and dog from 8/10-8/16 and did a great job! Lots of photos and always left a message after each drop-in with activities and anything to note during the visit. We will definitely use her again when we go out of town.”

About: I’ve had dogs in my family my whole life, so I know that in addition to having the basic necessities met like food and using the bathroom, what they need most is love! I have lots of experience caring for dogs and have many regulars that I walk weekly. Some of the activities I do are going to the park, walking on the beach, and playing with them. I genuinely love dogs and promise to provide your fur babies with the best care! I’m currently working full-time, but I get off the earlier side so I am available Friday-Tuesday after 1:00pm and have full availability Wednesdays and Thursdays! In your home, I will always make sure the doors are closed so your fur babies don’t escape. I will watch your pet carefully and will leave your home just as you left it!
About: I’ve taken care of dogs, big and small alike all my life. I grew up with a boxer and a golden retriever in the home so I’m accustomed to the joy of having pets in the house. More recently I’ve pet sat for families who have homes in Europe, and would go visit during the holidays. I’ve been caring for this elderly dog in particular for over 10 years. He’s a sweet tempered dog but takes medicine everyday so I’ve become well adept at hiding his meds inconspicuously to get him to eat it without any problems. I also love working with puppies and find that caring for younger dogs is a lot of fun, and is exciting too! I love aussies, border collies, and spaniels but find that I can get along with just about any breed. I’m the type of person to always stop to ask to pet your dog on walks, and love showering dogs with affection and love. One of my favorite past times, is letting a dog run free off leash, and play frisbee with him or her. I’d love to provide loving, friendly, and fun care to your furry friend and I look forward to our first paw-shake! Currently in school, but available after and before classes start-and free on weekends! I’m in school, but I have plenty of time to run around and meet your pets. I would look forward to days pet sitting, or walking, and would love to meet you and your pets! I care for pets mainly in your home, I find it easiest because some pets can get flustered in new environments. I strive to get to know them and build trust by being in their home turf to see all their favorite toys, and where they feel most comfortable. I look forward to seeing how they play and grow at their most comfortable!
About: I’ve owned dogs and cats since I was little and absolutely love spending time with animals. I am currently in college with my cat I’ve had since she was a kitten and I’m looking for a little extra cash, and to spend some time with dogs! I am currently home for the summer from college looking to make some extra cash and get some exercise! I have a completely free schedule, whenever you need me I can be there! I will take extra caution when entering and exiting your home so that nobody escapes, I am extremely organized and detail oriented so I will leave your home exactly how I found it, and make sure there are no hazards which could harm your dog.
“Nicole took care of my cats when I had to go out of town last minute for Memorial Day weekend. She arrived each evening to feed them, clean the litter box, play, and fill their waters. She was prompt and kept everything clean, and she even got my super shy kitty to come out and play & made sure he ate! I would definitely recommend booking Nicole if you need pet care.”

Over 628 pet parents in Santa Cruz have booked pet sitting
Santa Cruz pet parents share their Rover experiences
Nicole took care of my cats when I had to go out of town last minute for Memorial Day weekend. She arrived each evening to feed them, clean the litter box, play, and fill their waters. She was prompt and kept everything clean, and she even got my super shy kitty to come out and play & made sure he ate! I would definitely recommend booking Nicole if you need pet care.

Julia stopped by spontaneously to check in on my dogs during a last minute train ride in the redwoods. Super responsive and flexible, she was able to stay a bit longer on short notice and right away sent me a photo of my dogs. She has a husky so she’s comfortable with high energy handling! One of my pups is timid and when she sent the photo I could tell my dog was happy and safe. I would definitely book again!

We always look forward to Shylynn helping us with our cats when we travel. She is always reliable and thoughtful in how she follows the pet care instructions, gives updates, and treats our home as well. Please don’t hesitate to give her a call if you need petsitting.
Emily was amazing to my baby crepe! My cat does not do well when I go on vacation but I could tell from the pictures she felt comfortable around Emily, and was given plenty of love and treats. This was the first time ever my cat wasn’t dying to see me when I arrived home, so I know she was getting a lot of good attention while I was away.

Had such a great experience working with Gabrielle! She was very communicative throughout the entire booking and actual care process. I also want to thank her for being flexible, and for overall taking such great care of my pup. My first ever Rover experience, and she made it super stress free. Will definitely be booking her again!

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!

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 $30
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 Jun 2026 was about $30 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 Jun 2026, there are 818 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, 82% of Santa Cruz pet sitters respond in under an hour.
Pet sitters in Santa Cruz have an average of 15 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 818 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.
















