Pet Sitting Service Agreement: What to Include

A pet sitting service agreement is a short written document that says what you will do, when, for whom, and under what terms, so that you and the client share the same expectations before the first visit. It does not need to be long or full of complicated language. A clear one-to-two page document in plain English is often easier for clients to read, and easier for you to follow.

This is general guidance for independent pet sitters and dog walkers, not legal advice. Laws about contracts, licensing, and insurance differ by state, province, and city, so consider having a local professional review your template before you rely on it.

Why bother with a written agreement?

Many misunderstandings in pet sitting start with unspoken assumptions. One person thinks "a visit" includes a walk, and the other thinks it does not. One person expects a reply within minutes, and the other checks messages once a day. Writing the terms down turns those assumptions into shared decisions.

An agreement also helps you look professional. A tidy document before the first visit can help a client see you as a reliable small business.

What are the basic parts of an agreement?

Many sitters cover the same handful of topics. You can list them as short headings.

Who is involved. Your name or business name, the client's name, and the pet's name, species, and any key details.
The services. What each visit includes: feeding, fresh water, a walk, play, litter box care, medication, plant watering, or bringing in mail. Be specific about what is not included.
The schedule. Start and end dates, visit times or windows, and visit length.
Access. How you will get into the home and how keys or codes will be handled and returned.
Updates. How often you will send them, and by which channel.

What should the agreement say about money?

Spell out the payment terms in plain words, using your own figures:

Your rates for each service, written as $X per visit or $Y per night in your own document
Any extra charges, such as holiday dates, last-minute requests, or additional pets
When payment is due, for example before the job or soon after it
How the client can pay
Whether you ask for a deposit to hold dates, and whether it is refundable

If you charge sales tax or have other tax duties, ask a local accountant or check official guidance where you work. Do not guess.

What about cancellations and changes?

Include your cancellation and rescheduling terms, covering both sides. State how much notice the client needs to give, what happens if they cancel late, and what you will do if you are ill or cannot attend. A short sentence about how you will notify the client and try to arrange a replacement, if that is something you offer, helps build trust.

A full cancellation policy deserves its own page, so keep this part short and point to the full policy if you have one.

How do you cover emergencies?

Include a short section about what happens if the pet is sick or injured, or if something goes wrong in the home. Common points are:

The vet or clinic the client names, and permission to contact them
Who you call first, and a backup contact
What authority, if any, the client gives you to arrange urgent care, and any limit on costs they set
What you will do if you cannot reach the client

Have the client confirm these choices in their own words. Do not diagnose or promise medical outcomes. Your role is to notice, act reasonably, and contact the right people.

What about liability, insurance, and licensing?

This is the part where you need local advice. Some sitters carry business insurance or bonding, some work under a business license, and some do neither. Describe your own situation accurately and do not claim coverage you do not have. If you are unsure how to word anything about liability, ask a local professional rather than copying language from another source.

How do you keep it readable?

A few habits help:

Use short sentences and headings.
Avoid legal-sounding words where a plain one works.
Keep a separate sheet for the pet's routine and quirks, so the agreement stays focused on terms.
Ask the client to read it, ask questions, and sign or confirm in writing.
Save a copy for both of you.

Walk the client through the agreement at the meet-and-greet, then send it afterward for a signature or an email confirmation.

Where does Pawstcard fit in?

Pawstcard is a pet sitting report card app we are building for independent sitters and dog walkers. It does not create contracts or handle payments. It comes in after the paperwork is settled: you take your photos, the app drafts a note in your voice, you review it, and your client gets a link with no app or account needed. It is not released yet.

If you would like to hear when early access opens, you can join the early access list.