A Pet Care Agreement is a contract for pet-sitting services between the pet owner and the pet sitter. When a pet owner needs someone to take care of his/her pet (dog or cat etc.), this agreement clearly spells out your pet’s usual routines and what is expected from the pet sitter.
What is a Pet Sitting Contract?
A pet sitting contract is an agreement for pet sitting services between a pet owner and the pet sitter. When a pet owner needs someone to take care of their dog, cat, or other pet, this agreement spells out your pet’s everyday routines and expectations from the pet sitter. 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?
People also call this form by other names:
- Contract for Pet Care
- Dog Sitting Contract
- Dog and Cat Boarding Form
- Pet Boarding Contract
- Pet Care Boarding Agreement
- Pet Care Agreement Form
- Pet Care Contract
- Pet Care Service Agreement
- Pet Sitting Contract
- Pet Sitting Service Contract
When Do I Need a Pet Sitting Contract?
You need this document whenever you ask someone to care for your pet. Some pets may require special care and handling. Perhaps your dog dislikes the mailman? Maybe your cat gets upset if his litter box is not cleaned regularly? Does your pet get along with other animals? Perhaps your aging cat has arthritis, or your senior dog needs extra attention?
A Pet Care Agreement provides pet owners and pet sitters a chance to share the little details so your pet receives the best care possible while you are away.
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 when the Agreement should be used:
| 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 |
| special diet | long work hours |
Consequences of Not Using a Pet Sitter Contract
Disagreements could arise if the pet sitter or pet 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
- Unnecessary pain and suffering of your pet not being taken to the vet for medical attention sooner
- A damaged relationship with your family, friend, or pet sitter
If you are worried about your pet outliving you, name a future guardian for your pet in a Pet Protection Agreement and provide money to take care of your pet.
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 responsible 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 difficult details ahead of time.
Our free Pet Care Agreement 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 Sitter Contract
Step 1 – Identify the Pet Owner and Pet Sitter
The pet owner is the person creating the document so that another person can take care of his or her pet. The pet sitter is the person being hired to take care of a person’s pet/s. You should include the full names of the pet owner and sitter. If there is more than one pet owner or pet sitter, you should also include their details.
Step 2 – Provide Pet Information
Please include as much relevant information about your pet as possible. This may include your pet’s name, age, breed/species, health history, medication, and any behavior to watch out for when under the care of another person.
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 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
- per day
- per week
- total
- Due Date
- at the completion of the care and services
- at the end of each day
- at the end of the week
- Method
- Specify whether payment will be made via cash, card, bank transfer, PayPal, et.c
- Reimbursement
- If the pet sitter will be reimbursed for any expenses, specify them
- medical care and treatment
- emergency medical care
- services provided by a Veterinarian
- Etc.
- If the pet sitter will be reimbursed for any expenses, specify them
-
Contract termination notice period
- E.g. 30 days
Step 4 – Add in Emergency Information
If there is an emergency, the Pet Sitter will make all reasonable efforts to contact the Pet Owner first. If the Pet Owner cannot be contacted, the Pet Sitter 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.
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.
What Should Be Included in a Pet Sitter Contract
A pet sitting contract will outline the following details: The agreement can further include the following details:
Pet Sitting Contract Sample
Below you can find what a standard pet sitting contract looks like:
