A pet sitting contract documents pet-sitting services that a pet sitter will provide to the pet owner. When you need someone to take care of your pet, you can use this agreement to communicate your pet’s usual routines and expectations for the pet sitter.
What Is a Pet Sitting Contract?
A pet sitting contract outlines a relationship between a pet sitter and a pet owner. It states that a pet sitter will provide specific services and act in a certain manner while they’re caring for the pet owner’s animal. If your pet is older or has unique needs, this form can help pet sitters provide the proper medication or special care.
The form should answer these basic questions:
- Who will be the pet sitter, and who owns the pet?
- Where will the pet sitter take care of the pet?
- When will the pet sitter be responsible for taking care of the pet?
- What will the pet owner pay for the pet sitter’s services?
- How should the pet be fed, and how often should the pet be walked?
When Do I Need a Pet Sitting Contract?
You need this document whenever you ask someone to care for your pet. Even if your pet doesn’t have any medical conditions or special concerns, it can help the pet sitter provide adequate care and handle emergencies properly.
Some pets may require special care and handling. A pet care agreement allows you to share ample details so your pet receives the best care possible while you’re away. For example, you can specify if your pet gets along with other animals or if your senior pet needs extra attention.
Common Pet Sitter Situations
Pet owners and pet sitters use an agreement whenever a pet is taken care of as part of a paid service. Here are some situations where this agreement can be helpful:
| Pet | Pet Owner | Pet Sitter |
|---|---|---|
| elderly dog or cat | on vacation | running a business |
| medical condition | family emergency | part-time job |
| history of biting | in the hospital | making extra money |
| food allergies | out of town for work | trusted family, friend, or neighbor |
Consequences of Not Using a Pet Sitting Contract
Disagreements could arise if the pet sitter or owner only uses informal or verbal promises and something unexpected happens to the pet.
A pet sitting contract can resolve the following situations for a pet owner:
-
Lost Money
- Personal funds used to pay the vet for unexpected medical treatment
- Wasted funds for poor or inadequate pet sitting services
-
Lost Time
- Need to return home early to care for your pet properly
- Need to accompany your pet to the vet
-
Mental Anguish
- A damaged relationship with your family, friend, or pet sitter
- Unnecessary pain and suffering because your pet didn’t receive timely medical treatment
Who Is Responsible If the Pet Accidentally Gets Sick or Bites Someone?
If the pet accidentally gets sick or bites someone when the pet sitter hasn’t been negligent or reckless, the pet owner is usually responsible. A pet-sitting contract can answer difficult questions about who is legally accountable if something unexpected happens to the pet.
For example, what happens if the pet accidentally passes away, gets sick, becomes injured, or is lost while the pet sitter is on duty? An indemnification clause can spell out these complex details ahead of time.
A pet sitting contract protects the pet sitter if any of these unexpected situations arise:
- Your pet accidentally dies, gets sick, becomes injured, or gets lost.
- Your pet bites or injures the pet sitter, another person, or another pet.
- Any costs or liabilities caused by the pet unless the pet sitter was negligent or reckless.
How to Write a Pet Sitting Contract
Follow these steps to writing a pet sitting contract:
Step 1 – Identify the Pet Owner and Pet Sitter
The pet owner creates the document so another person can care for their pet. The pet sitter is hired to take care of a person’s pet(s). You should include the full names of the pet owner and sitter.
You should also have their details if there’s more than one pet owner or pet sitter.
Step 2 – Provide Pet Information
Include as much relevant information about your pet as possible. This information may consist of your pet’s name, age, breed/species, health history, medication, and any notable behaviors the pet sitter should know about.
If you would like the pet sitter to take care of multiple pets, you should add each pet’s information in the contract.
Step 3 – Write Down the Service Provided
In this section, you should fill in the services of the pet sitter and the related details:
- Contract start and termination date
-
The services the pet sitter will provide
- Feed the pet(s) and change water bowls
- Walk and exercise the pet(s)
- Play with the pet(s)
- Clean up and dispose of any pet waste
- Wash and tidy up bowls
- Brush and wash pet(s)
- Administer medication
- Any additional services
- Address where the pet sitting will take place
-
Payment details
- Amount
- Type (per hour, day, week, etc.)
- Due date
- Method (cash, card, bank transfer, etc.)
- Reimbursements for medical care (if applicable)
- Contract termination notice period
Step 4 – Add in Emergency Information
In an emergency, the pet sitter will make all reasonable efforts to contact the pet owner first. If the pet sitter can’t get in touch with the owner, they should contact the emergency contact person and veterinarian provided in the agreement.
Include the vet’s full name and address as part of the emergency contact information. You can also specify whether the pet sitter has the authorization to seek medical treatment for your pet.
If something goes awry, it’s important to have already listed the desired state’s governing laws in the pet-sitting contract so you can handle any legal disputes associated with a pet’s emergency appropriately.
Step 5 – Date and Sign the Agreement
Finally, add the date of the agreement and have both the pet owner and pet sitter sign the document.
