San Bruno Exotic Pet Sitter
San Bruno is a San Mateo County city that keeps a lot of quiet momentum. Sitting just south of the San Francisco county line at the foot of San Bruno Mountain, it is a town of tight residential grids, hillside neighborhoods, and families whose weeks run on the rhythm of SFO, the tech campuses to the south, and the Caltrain and BART lines that thread through the middle of it. A lot of San Bruno households also happen to be small-mammal households — homes where a bonded pair of guinea pigs squeals for breakfast, a rabbit gets her morning salad, or a pair of rats waits for evening lap time. When one of those families is headed out of town, the question that surfaces the night before a trip is always the same: who is going to take care of the exotics? Conventional boarding kennels are built for dogs and cats, and most pet sitters have never weighed a guinea pig on a gram scale. That is the gap our team fills.
House of Guineas Pet Care is based in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset, and because San Bruno sits just down the Peninsula — a short trip south on the 101 or 280 — our team of exotic pet specialists is only a quick drive away when we come to provide in-home care. From the homes climbing toward the Crestmoor and Rollingwood neighborhoods to the Portola Highlands above the city, and from the streets near the old Tanforan area over toward the Caltrain and BART stations, we come to your pets so they can stay in their own enclosures, on their own routines, while you are away.
Why San Bruno Exotic Pet Owners Choose Our Team
San Bruno is a town full of people who think carefully and plan ahead — airport and airline staff, tech workers, longtime families who have kept the same block for generations. What exotic pet owners here tell us they need is a sitter who brings the same rigor to animal care that they bring to their own lives. Here is what sets us apart:
- Veterinary background. Our founder, Alexandria, is an exotic veterinary assistant who volunteers with the House Rabbit Society, administering subcutaneous RHDV2 vaccines. Every specialist on our team is trained under that same clinical lens.
- Small-mammal specialists. Guinea pigs and rabbits are the heart of what we do — this is literally the House of Guineas. We know how to spot the early signs of trouble in a prey animal that instinctively hides illness. That kind of focus is genuinely hard to find on the Peninsula.
- Clinical-grade care. We can syringe-feed a GI stasis rabbit, weigh a guinea pig on a gram scale, check a reptile enclosure’s humidity, and recognize the early signs of a crop issue in a parrot. We also know the local exotic vet landscape, so if something seems off while you are in another time zone, we know where to turn — see our San Mateo Peninsula exotic veterinarians directory.
- Flexible scheduling. Early-morning visits before an airport shift or a flight, evening visits after a long day, and mid-day medication timing — we build the schedule around your itinerary, not the other way around.
Exotic Species We Care For in San Bruno
- Small mammals — guinea pigs (including bonded pairs and herds), rabbits (including bonded pairs and trios), chinchillas, ferrets, hamsters, rats
- Reptiles — bearded dragons, leopard geckos, crested geckos, ball pythons and other non-venomous snakes, turtles and tortoises
- Birds — parrots, cockatiels, conures, budgies, lovebirds, finches
If your species is not listed, call or text us — if we have not handled it, we will tell you honestly and usually point you to someone who has.
How It Works in San Bruno
We start with a free meet-and-greet at your home — a real-time walkthrough of feeding routines, enclosure setup, medication schedules, and your pet’s quirks. For San Bruno pet owners, this usually lands on a weekend or an after-work window, since so many residents are commuting to SFO, up into the city, or down the Peninsula during the week, whether by BART, Caltrain, or the 101 and 280.
Once you book, we schedule visits around your travel itinerary. Most exotic pets do well with twice-daily visits — morning and evening — so the guinea pigs get a fresh salad before the day starts and the reptile enclosure gets a proper lights-out check after dinner. We send photo and video updates from every visit, plus written notes on appetite, output, and behavior. If something seems off, we reach out before you land.
San Bruno Areas We Serve
San Bruno stretches from the flats near the old Tanforan area up into the hills below San Bruno Mountain State Park, and its neighborhoods each have their own character — that is part of the charm and part of the logistics. Our team covers the full city, including Crestmoor, Rollingwood, the Portola Highlands up on the ridge, and the residential streets around the Caltrain and BART stations. From the homes tucked into the hillsides below the mountain to the blocks close to SFO, we can reach you. Whether you are up a steep hillside lane or down on the flats near El Camino Real, we will be there.
Pricing for San Bruno Visits
- 30-minute visits start at $85
- 60-minute visits start at $115
- Routine twice-daily care runs $140–$190/day depending on visit length and number of pets
San Bruno sits in San Mateo County, a short trip down the 101 or 280 from our SF base, so a travel surcharge of $15–$25/visit applies, depending on distance. Text us your address and dates and we will confirm your rate. You can read more about what is included on our in-home exotic pet care page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really travel to San Bruno for exotic pet care?
Yes. Our team is based in San Francisco's Inner Sunset, and San Bruno sits just down the Peninsula in San Mateo County, a short trip south on the 101 or 280. In-home exotic care in San Bruno is a regular part of our route.
What kinds of exotic pets do you care for in San Bruno?
We care for exotic pets and cats. That includes small mammals like guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, hamsters and rats; reptiles like bearded dragons, leopard and crested geckos, ball pythons and other non-venomous snakes, and turtles and tortoises; and birds like parrots, cockatiels, conures, budgies, lovebirds and finches. New guinea pig owners can start with our guinea pig care guide.
What if my exotic pet needs medication while I'm traveling?
Medication administration is part of our standard service. Our specialists are trained in oral syringe feeding, topical applications, and nebulizer treatments. Our founder's clinical background — including subcutaneous RHDV2 vaccine administration at the House Rabbit Society — sets the bar. If your pet is on a complex protocol, share it during the meet-and-greet and we will match the schedule exactly.
Can I board my exotic pet instead of booking in-home visits in San Bruno?
Yes. Boarding is hosted separately at our founder's San Francisco home — it is not a local San Bruno drop-off — but since San Bruno is a short trip up the Peninsula, it is an easy drive. Boarding runs $75 per night, your pet gets their own room with soothing music, and we ask that you bring their usual enclosure and supplies. Full details are on the boarding page.
How much does a San Bruno exotic pet sitter cost?
Our 30-minute visits start at $85 and 60-minute visits at $115, with routine twice-daily care ranging from $140–$190 per day depending on visit length and the number of pets. San Bruno sits in San Mateo County, a short trip down the 101 or 280 from our SF base, so travel is modest. Text us at 415-484-6493 with your address and dates for a firm quote.
Ready to lock in coverage for your next trip? Call or text us at 415-484-6493 and we will get a meet-and-greet on the calendar. You can also read more about our in-home exotic pet care service, our boarding option at the founder’s San Francisco home, or browse the full FAQ page. Still getting set up with a vet? Our San Mateo Peninsula exotic veterinarians directory is a good place to start, and new guinea pig parents in San Bruno will want our guinea pig care guide.