How much should I authorise for emergency vet care?

For most household pets (dogs, cats), $500–$2,000 is a common authority — enough to handle a mid-level emergency without requiring the sitter to advance their own funds. For older pets or pets with chronic conditions, set higher. The agreement should commit the owner to reimbursement; the authority just lets care begin without phone tag.

Does the sitter need pet-care insurance?

Strongly recommended for professional sitters. Companies like Pet Sitters Associates and Pet Care Insurance offer dedicated coverage. Hobby sitters watching one neighbour's dog usually do not need it; running a regular sitting business without it is a major risk.

Should I include a clause about the sitter's use of my home?

Yes — for in-home services. Specify that the sitter may not bring guests without consent, may not host parties, must not consume your alcohol or food beyond agreed terms, and must keep keys and codes confidential. Also note any specific household rules (no shoes inside, alarm code reset after each visit, etc.).

What if my pet bites someone while with the sitter?

In most jurisdictions, owners are strictly liable for dog bites regardless of who was supervising. Disclose any known biting or aggression history honestly — failing to disclose can shift liability to the owner under fraudulent-concealment doctrines and can void any liability waiver. Vaccinated, well-socialised pets and a clear bite-history disclosure are the practical protection.

Pet Care / Pet Sitting Agreement

Agreement between a pet owner and a pet sitter or boarder, with care instructions, fees, and emergency authority.

Customise

Owner — full name

Owner — address

Owner — phone (during care period)

Sitter — full name

Sitter — address (or "Owner's home")

Sitter — phone

Service type

Pet — name

Pet — species

Pet — breed (or "Mixed")

Pet — age (years)

Care start date

Care end date

Fee structure

Fee amount per unit (USD)

Total fee for engagement (USD)

Deposit (USD; 0 if none)

Feeding schedule and instructions

Walking / exercise schedule

Medications and medical care

Veterinarian — name

Veterinarian — phone

After-hours emergency clinic

Emergency veterinary spending authority (USD)

Live preview

PET CARE / PET SITTING AGREEMENT

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

OWNER: Jordan Taylor
482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: +1 503 555 0118

SITTER: Ash Walker
Owner's home
Phone: +1 503 555 0299

SERVICE: In-home pet sitting (sitter visits owner's home)

PET: Biscuit — Dog (Golden Retriever), age 4.

PERIOD: May 4, 2026 through May 15, 2026

1. SERVICES

The Sitter agrees to provide the following services for Biscuit during the Period stated above:

(a) Feeding per the schedule in Section 4.
(b) Walking and exercise per the schedule in Section 5.
(c) Administration of medications per Section 6.
(d) Routine companionship, comfort, and supervision.
(e) Maintenance of basic hygiene (litter box / waste cleanup).

2. FEES AND PAYMENT

Fee structure: Daily rate
Rate: $60.00 per unit
Total estimated: $540.00
Deposit due: $100.00 on signing
Balance due: Within seven (7) days after the end of the engagement.

Cancellation policy: 50% of the total fee is forfeit if cancelled within
72 hours of the start date; 100% if cancelled within 24 hours, except in
the case of a documented emergency.

3. CARE INSTRUCTIONS — SUMMARY

Feeding: 7:00 AM — 1.5 cups dry kibble + 1 tbsp wet food.
6:00 PM — 1.5 cups dry kibble + 1 tbsp wet food.
Fresh water at all times. No table scraps. No grapes, chocolate, or onions.

Walking / play: 30-minute walk in the morning (after breakfast) and 30-minute walk in the evening.
Mid-day backyard play for at least 20 minutes.
Keep on leash near the road; off-leash OK in fenced backyard.

Medications: Daily: 1 chewable heartworm tablet with breakfast.
Monthly: flea/tick spot-on (next dose 2026-06-01 if needed).
No current acute conditions.

4. EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE

The Sitter is authorised to seek veterinary care for Biscuit if the Sitter reasonably believes the Pet is ill, injured, or in distress. The Sitter shall make reasonable efforts to contact the Owner FIRST; if the Owner cannot be reached within thirty (30) minutes (or sooner in a serious emergency), the Sitter may proceed with reasonable veterinary care.

Primary vet: Dr. Aiko Yamada — Riverside Veterinary Hospital, phone +1 503 555 0420
After-hours: DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital — +1 503 228 7281

The Owner authorises the Sitter to incur up to $1,000.00 in veterinary expenses without further consent. Beyond that amount, the Sitter shall make reasonable additional efforts to reach the Owner. The Owner shall reimburse all veterinary expenses incurred in good faith for the care of the Pet, regardless of outcome.

5. LIABILITY

(a) The Owner certifies that Biscuit is up to date on rabies and other core vaccinations and has no known history of biting people or other animals (or has disclosed any such history in writing).

(b) The Owner shall be responsible for any injury or property damage caused by the Pet to a third party during the Period, except where caused by the Sitter's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

(c) The Sitter shall not be liable for the natural illness, injury, or death of an aged or pre-existing-condition Pet, except where caused by the Sitter's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

6. KEYS AND PROPERTY (in-home services)

If the Sitter is provided with keys, alarm codes, or access to the Owner's home, the Sitter agrees to use them solely for purposes of caring for the Pet, to keep them confidential, and to return them at the end of the engagement. The Sitter shall not bring third parties to the home without the Owner's consent.

7. PHOTOS AND UPDATES

The Sitter agrees to send the Owner at least one update per day during the Period (text, photo, or video). The Sitter shall not post identifiable photos of the Pet or the Owner's home on social media without the Owner's consent.

8. TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this Agreement on twenty-four (24) hours' written notice. The Owner shall pay for services actually rendered up to the termination date.

SIGNATURES

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Jordan Taylor (Owner)

_______________________________ Date: ____________________
Ash Walker (Sitter)

About this template

A pet care agreement protects both sides of an arrangement that often happens informally between neighbours, friends, or short-notice sitters — and that frequently goes wrong precisely because nothing was written down. The clauses that matter most are the emergency veterinary spending authority (sitters routinely face cases where the pet needs care and the owner is unreachable, and without pre-authorised spending, the sitter is left choosing between paying out of pocket or letting the pet suffer), the liability allocation (an owner whose dog bites a delivery driver during pet-sitting is generally liable, but agreements that try to flip that onto the sitter rarely hold up), and the photos / privacy clause (sitters posting identifiable photos of someone else's home is a common source of complaints). Professional sitters and boarding facilities should additionally carry pet-care liability insurance — the agreement does not substitute for insurance. For long-term pet care during a parent's incapacity or death, mention the pet in your will or set up a simple pet trust; pets are personal property under the law and need an explicit beneficiary or they pass with the residue.

When to use it

Hiring a professional pet sitter for a vacation or business trip.
A neighbour or friend watching your pet for several days.
Boarding your pet in someone's home (rather than a kennel).
Regular daily dog walking arrangements.
Any time you want clear emergency veterinary spending authority documented.

What to include

Owner, sitter, and pet identification.
Service type and date range.
Fee structure, deposit, and cancellation policy.
Feeding, exercise, and medication instructions.
Veterinarian contact and emergency spending authority.
Liability allocation and termination terms.

Frequently asked

A well-drafted agreement allocates routine veterinary expenses to the owner regardless of fault, and only assigns liability to the sitter where the sitter's gross negligence or intentional misconduct caused the injury. Routine accidents during normal care are generally the owner's expense — pets do unpredictable things, and sitters cannot guarantee a zero-risk environment.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. This template is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney. Always consult a licensed professional before using this document for any binding agreement.

Related templates

Simple Last Will and Testament

A straightforward last will for a single individual with simple assets and clear beneficiaries.

Rental Agreement (Residential Lease)

Fixed-term residential lease between a landlord and one or more tenants for a single dwelling.

Medical Consent Form for a Minor

Consent for a non-parent caregiver to seek medical care for a minor child — for camps, travel, school trips, or grandparents.