Free Pet Sitting Contract Template (Editable PDF & Word)
Free pet sitting contract template for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. Covers services, rates, cancellation policy, emergency authorisation, liability, and payment terms. Editable PDF and Word.
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Pet Sitting Contract
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Quick Answer
A pet sitting contract is a written agreement between a pet owner and a pet sitter specifying the services to be provided, rates, cancellation policy, emergency authorisation, and liability terms. It protects both parties and professionalises the arrangement.
What Is a Pet Sitting Contract?
Pet sitting is a business, even when it's done by a neighbour or a friend-of-a-friend. A written contract protects the pet sitter from liability for pre-existing conditions and unclear instructions, and protects the owner by confirming exactly what services were agreed upon and what happens in an emergency.
Whether you're a professional pet sitter growing your business or a pet owner hiring someone for the first time, this free contract template establishes clear, professional terms that prevent the most common disputes: unclear scope of service, liability for injuries, payment disagreements, and emergency decision-making authority.
When Do You Need This?
What to Include
1. Parties and dates
- Owner full name, address, phone, email
- Pet sitter full name, address, phone, email
- Service start and end dates
2. Services
- Specific services agreed (in-home sitting, walks, feeding, medication administration)
- Visit frequency and duration
- Overnight arrangements (if applicable)
3. Rates and payment
- Rate per visit / per day / per week
- Payment due date and method
- Late payment terms
- Holiday surcharge (if applicable)
4. Cancellation policy
- Notice period required for cancellation
- Refund or credit policy
- Last-minute cancellation fee
5. Emergency authorisation
- Authority to seek emergency vet care
- Emergency vet contact details
- Spending limit authorised without owner approval
6. Liability
- Pet sitter liability for injury or illness
- Owner acknowledgement of pet's health status
- Liability for damage to property
Legal Notes by State
Business licensing: Some states and municipalities require pet sitters to hold a business licence. Check your local requirements before operating professionally.
Insurance: Professional pet sitters should carry pet sitter liability insurance (providers include Pet Sitters International and NAPPS). This contract should reference your insurance policy number if you carry it.
Medication administration: Some states require that administering prescription medication (including insulin injections) be done only by a licensed vet tech or under vet supervision. Verify your state's requirements if medication administration is part of the service.
The Template
Copy the text below, or use the download buttons. Replace all [BRACKETED FIELDS] with your specific information before use.
PET SITTING SERVICE AGREEMENT
This Pet Sitting Service Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of [DATE] between:
Pet Owner: [OWNER FULL NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
Phone: [PHONE] | Email: [EMAIL]
Pet Sitter: [SITTER FULL NAME]
Business Name (if applicable): [BUSINESS NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
Phone: [PHONE] | Email: [EMAIL]
1. PET INFORMATION
Pet Name: _____________ Species/Breed: _____________
Age: _____ Sex: _____ Neutered/Spayed: Yes / No
Microchip #: _____________ Vet Clinic: _____________
Vet Phone: _____________ Last Vet Visit: _____________
Known medical conditions: _________________________________
Current medications: _________________________________
Dietary restrictions / allergies: _________________________________
Behavioural notes (aggression, anxiety, escape risk): _________________________________
2. SERVICES
Service Dates: From [START DATE] to [END DATE]
Services to be provided:
☐ In-home pet sitting (owner's home)
☐ Dog walking: [NUMBER] walks per day, [DURATION] minutes each
☐ Feeding: [NUMBER] times per day — food and amount: [DETAILS]
☐ Medication administration: [DETAILS]
☐ Overnight stay: ☐ Yes ☐ No
☐ Other: _________________________________
Key / access arrangements: _________________________________
3. RATES AND PAYMENT
Rate: $[AMOUNT] per [day / visit / week]
Estimated total: $[TOTAL]
Holiday surcharge: $[AMOUNT] per day (applicable dates: [DATES])
Payment due: [DATE / upon return / weekly]
Payment method: ☐ Cash ☐ Venmo ☐ PayPal ☐ Bank transfer ☐ Other: _____
Late payment fee: $[AMOUNT] after [NUMBER] days overdue
4. CANCELLATION POLICY
Owner cancellations: [NUMBER] days' notice required for full refund.
Cancellations with less than [NUMBER] days' notice: [REFUND / CREDIT POLICY]
Sitter cancellations: [NUMBER] days' notice will be provided. Owner will receive a full refund.
5. EMERGENCY AUTHORISATION
Owner authorises the Pet Sitter to seek emergency veterinary care from the vet listed above or, if unavailable, from the nearest emergency clinic, if the Pet Sitter reasonably believes the pet requires immediate treatment.
Emergency spending limit (without owner approval): $[AMOUNT]
Owner acknowledges responsibility for all approved emergency veterinary costs.
Owner emergency contact (while away):
Name: ______________________ Phone: ______________________
Alternate contact: ______________________ Phone: ______________________
6. OWNER REPRESENTATIONS
Owner represents that:
(a) The pet is in good health and has not exhibited symptoms of illness in the past [NUMBER] days.
(b) The pet's vaccinations are current (records attached: ☐ Yes ☐ No).
(c) The pet has not bitten, scratched, or shown aggression toward a person in the past [NUMBER] months, except as noted in Section 2.
(d) Owner has disclosed all known behavioural issues that could pose a risk.
7. LIABILITY
The Pet Sitter agrees to provide care with reasonable diligence and good judgement. The Pet Sitter shall not be held liable for illness, injury, or death resulting from:
- A pre-existing medical condition not disclosed by the Owner
- An accident or injury that could not reasonably have been prevented
- Escape by a pet with a known or unknown escape history not disclosed to the Sitter
Owner agrees to indemnify the Pet Sitter against claims arising from bites, scratches, or injuries caused by the pet to third parties while in the Sitter's care, where such behaviour was not disclosed in advance.
8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the Parties and supersedes any prior verbal arrangements.
Owner Signature: _______________________ Date: ___________
Print Name: _______________________
Pet Sitter Signature: _______________________ Date: ___________
Print Name: _______________________This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legally binding documents, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new contract for every client as a pet sitter?+
Yes — or at minimum a new signed service agreement form for each booking period. Some sitters use a master contract with a supplemental booking form for each new visit. Either approach is fine as long as the key terms (services, dates, rates, emergency authorisation) are documented and signed for each engagement.
What if the pet sitter is a friend — do I still need a contract?+
Yes. Informal arrangements are the most common source of disputes. Even a simple signed agreement prevents misunderstandings about payment, what's expected, and who's responsible if something goes wrong. Protect the friendship by being clear in writing.
Should the contract mention pet insurance?+
If the pet has insurance, include the policy number and insurer in Section 1 so the sitter can reference it in an emergency. If the sitter has professional liability insurance, they should include their policy details in their header.
What's a reasonable emergency spending limit?+
Most owners set this between $200 and $500 — enough to cover an emergency consultation and basic stabilising treatment without requiring the sitter to spend beyond their means. For pets with known health conditions, a higher limit may be appropriate.