Pet Sitting Contracts: Essential Terms for Pet Owners and Sitters

Why a Pet Sitting Contract Is Essential

Leaving your pet with someone requires trust, but trust is not a substitute for a clear written agreement. A pet sitting contract protects the pet owner from negligent care and protects the sitter from unreasonable expectations, liability, and non-payment.

Pet Information and Care Instructions

• Pet details: Name, breed, age, weight, color, microchip number, and recent photo
• Feeding schedule: Type of food, portions, frequency, and any dietary restrictions
• Medications: Dosage, schedule, administration instructions, and what to do if a dose is missed
• Exercise needs: Walking schedule, activity level, leash requirements
• Behavioral notes: Fears, triggers, anxiety behaviors, aggression with other animals or strangers
• Household rules: Where the pet sleeps, which rooms are off-limits, whether the pet is allowed on furniture

Emergency Provisions

• Veterinarian contact: Name, address, and phone number of the pet's regular vet
• Emergency vet: Contact information for the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic
• Spending authorization: A maximum dollar amount the sitter is authorized to spend on emergency veterinary care without prior approval
• Owner contact information: Multiple ways to reach the owner during the sitting period
• Emergency contact: A backup person who can make decisions if the owner is unreachable

Liability and Insurance

• Sitter liability: Under what circumstances is the sitter responsible for injury or illness to the pet? Typically limited to negligence
• Property damage: Who pays if the pet damages the sitter's property (or vice versa)?
• Escape or loss: What is the protocol and sitter's liability if the pet escapes?
• Pre-existing conditions: The sitter should not be liable for health issues that pre-date the sitting arrangement
• Insurance: Does the sitter carry professional pet sitter insurance? (Recommended for professional sitters)

Payment Terms

• Rate structure: Per visit, per day, or per overnight stay
• Additional services: Are there extra charges for administering medication, multiple pets, or holiday rates?
• Payment timing: Before the sitting begins, after, or split?
• Cancellation policy: How much notice is required? Is a deposit refundable?

Keys and Access

• Key exchange: How keys are provided and returned
• Security system codes: Provided in writing and changed after the sitting ends
• Privacy expectations: What areas of the home the sitter may use

When to Consult a Lawyer

For professional pet sitting businesses, consider having an attorney draft a standard service agreement that includes adequate liability protections, insurance requirements, and indemnification provisions.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.