Concierge care
with creature comforts
We love your pets like they’re our own—with a trusted team, a thoughtful routine, and the kind of care that brings peace of mind. High-touch, heart-forward care for Santa Barbara’s most beloved companions.
Pack Leader
Hi, I'm Nicole
I'm your Pack Leader, your Coordinator-in-Chief, your Pet Whisperer — with a love of Santa Barbara that goes as far back as I can remember and a calling to care for animals that's always been the work I was meant to do. Stepping into Santa Barbara Pet Sitters is the answer to a dream I've been quietly building for the past few decades — and I don't take a single day of it for granted.
My approach is hands-on and deeply personal: every visit rooted in presence, empathy, and a real love for animals of all kinds. Pet parents from Montecito estates to cozy downtown casitas have welcomed us into their homes and their routines, and that trust is something I hold close. I'm endlessly grateful for the team that makes this work possible and for the clients who treat us like family. Whether I'm coordinating a wedding-day walk down the aisle or tending to a shy senior cat, what I bring to every visit is the kind of care that only comes from doing the thing you were always meant to do.
Meet the pack
Abbey
I’m a Santa Barbara native with a big heart for animals and a long family tradition of helping pets in need. I work with local volunteers to help stray kittens get rescued, fixed, and adopted on the Eastside. I share life with my sweet senior chihuahua, Sophie, and also work as the Financial Manager at the Club & Guest House at UCSB.
Alex
I’m a Santa Barbara local who has loved animals my whole life — furry, feathered, and scaly alike. With experience fostering pets and working in veterinary medicine, I bring a calm, caring touch to every visit. I share my home with one feisty chihuahua and three snuggly cats. When I’m not caring for pets, I’m photographing weddings — bonus points when a dog is in the wedding party.
Angela
I’m a retired Santa Barbara local who grew up with pets of every size. My love for animals brought me to Santa Barbara Pet Sitters, where I enjoy walking, playing with, and loving on your fur babies while you’re away, at work, or out having fun.
Bailey
I grew up in a home where animals happily outnumbered people — dogs, cats, horses, chickens, and cows included. Now a Global Studies major at UCSB, I bring that lifelong love of animals to every pet I care for. When I’m not pet sitting, you’ll likely find me at the beach, running, studying, or at the gym.
Briana
I bring more than 20 years of animal care experience, including work as a groomer, Veterinary Assistant, and rescue advocate with Spark Rescue. I have a huge heart for animals who need a second chance. I’m also a proud mom of four, dog mom to Bella and Kylo, and love the beach, hiking, poetry, music, and volunteering at local shelters.
Brooke
I may always be a New Yorker at heart, but Santa Barbara is home now — and animals have always been my happy place. I started working with animals at 13 as a veterinary assistant and have been caring for them ever since. When I’m not making pets happy, I’m on stage doing stand-up comedy and making people laugh.
Christina
I’m a lifelong Santa Barbara local and devoted animal lover who recently retired after a 20-year career supporting families with young children with disabilities. I bring that same care and respect into every home I visit. I live on the Riviera with my husband and our three dogs, and love helping pups enjoy happy, healthy walks.
Cris
I’m originally from Brazil and have called Santa Barbara home for more than 15 years. I love walking dogs of all sizes and helping pets stay active, healthy, and happy. When I’m not caring for your pets, I’m coaching CrossFit and bringing that same energy to everything I do.
Dani & Mark
We’re Mark and Danielle, lifelong dog lovers with more than 25 years of experience caring for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and personalities. We share our home with pups on a safe and spacious 6-acre property where dogs have plenty of room to play, explore, and enjoy supervised outdoor time. When your dog stays with us they become family, receiving lots of love, attention, exercise, and personalized care.
Hilary
I’m originally from New York and most recently lived in Los Angeles, where I worked as a freelance photographer before becoming a full-time pet sitter. I’ve raised and loved seven dogs over the years, from playful puppies to senior sweethearts. I love exploring Santa Barbara’s beaches and trails with my clients’ dogs.
Jean
I'm a lifelong animal lover who grew up on a farm surrounded by chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, buffalo, and more. Today, I share my home with two beloved fur babies and two young children. One of my favorite things in the world is taking your dog on a long walk on a beautiful day. When I'm not caring for pets, you'll likely find me at the Pilates studio.
Tara
I’ve been a professional pet sitter for more than 25 years and bring deep experience with dogs, horses, ranches, pet nutrition, and training. I also offer Reiki for calming and healing support for pets and people. I’m there exclusively for your home and animals, bringing steady, attentive care while you’re away.
Tracy
I’m the former owner of Tracy’s Pet Care and a longtime Santa Barbara animal advocate. When I’m not doting on clients’ pets, I volunteer with Spark Rescue and ResQcats, helping rescue, foster, and fundraise for animals in need. I share my home with Ned, a chatty Siamese cat and my pandemic rescue mutt Padfoot. My home is open to boutique boarding. I can’t wait to meet your fur babies and love them as my own.
What We Believe
Built on trust. Elevated by love.
At Santa Barbara Pet Sitters, we believe your pets deserve more than care—they deserve connection. What started as a neighborhood favorite is now a full-service, concierge pet care experience led by local owner Nicole Nowakowski. Whether you’re heading out of town, planning your wedding, or navigating new chapters with senior or special-needs pets—we’re here for it all. Because to us, pets are family.
In partnership with Kimpton Canary Hotel
Santa Barbara's most spoiled
guests check in on four legs
We're the trusted pet sitting partner of Kimpton Canary Hotel, looking after the canine half of every reservation. Walks, sits, snuggles, sunset patio time — whatever your pup considers a proper vacation.
Questions?
We’ve got answers
Why should I trust Santa Barbara Pet Sitters to care for my pet?
Are your sitters background-checked? Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How do your sitters keep my pet and home safe and secure?
Do you care for pets other than dogs and cats?
Can you administer medications or work with special-needs pets?
How will I receive updates during the visit?
What neighborhoods do you serve?
Talk of the town
Tails Are Wagging. Clients Are Talking.
Stephanie
Angela and SBPS were excellent when we had to go for the day to Los Angeles. Our dogs got fed twice, lots of love and play and we got photos and updates throughout the day. Highly recommend!! 5 STARS
Suzana
SB PetSitters was incredible. We flew in from Austin for our wedding in Santa Barbara and wanted our dogs to be part of the day. Nicole met with me on Zoom ahead of time, which was so reassuring while planning from out of state, and then they did a meet-and-greet before the wedding. On the wedding day, they showed up right on time at our Airbnb, safely transported my dogs to the courthouse, and cared for them throughout the ceremony. I got to see my girls standing in the distance behind my husband, which made the moment even more special.
Having my dogs there was one of the most meaningful parts of the day, and Nicole and Tracy made it seamless. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for loving and reliable pet care.
Kylie
We love Christina at SB Pet Sitters! She does such a great job with our fur family.
Teresa
I'm very grateful to have found SB Pet Sitters and have the reliable and wonderful walkers and boarders to take care of Barney for us when we can't take him with us. It means the world to have people we trust that we know care about him like we do. Thank you so much.
Ali
Maeve is my first dog and my stepkids know she is my favorite :) I travel a lot for work and so does my husband, and SB Pet Sitters are wonderful! Having Dani and Mark watch Maeve gives us peace of mind that she is being loved and so well taken care of. They promptly provide daily updates about their activities and correlating photos within the portal. She has an absolute blast with them! They truly love Maeve so much and the feeling is mutual, Maeve gets SO excited when she knows she's going for a visit to their house.
We also took Maeve to K-nine solutions for the PAL sessions when she was 5-8 months old and then a 3-week intensive training program back in November when she was 1 year old. Dani and Mark were eager to learn all of the commands that Maeve learned to ensure consistency in her training as well.
Let’s talk pets
Big trip coming up? Planning your big day? Or just need someone you trust to help keep life flowing smoothly? Tell us about your pets, your schedule, and what peace of mind looks like for you—we’ll take it from there.
Serving Santa Barbara, Montecito & Goleta
