Pet Sitting Agreement Template

A pet sitting agreement protects both the owner and the sitter when a pet is cared for at the owner’s home — it sets clear expectations on feeding, medication, and emergencies, and who’s responsible if something goes wrong. Download the ready-to-fill template below, or read the field checklist and the mistakes that most often cause disputes first.

Download the Pet Sitting Agreement

A complete, ready-to-fill PDF — 14 clauses, blanks for every detail, and a signature block for both parties. Free, no email, no account. Read it and adapt it before you use it; the cover page explains what it can and cannot do for you.

Need the other party to sign it too? Send it for signature with a full audit trail and a tamper-evident seal on the finished file — they never need an account. See pricing.

This is a template, not legal advice

This document is a general-purpose template provided for information only. It is not legal advice, it does not create a lawyer–client relationship, and nobody has reviewed it against your situation.

Laws differ by country, state and province, and they change. A clause that is standard in one place can be unenforceable — or illegal — in another. Terms that are ordinary between two businesses can be void in a consumer or employment context.

Read every clause before you use it, fill in every blank, and delete anything that does not apply. For anything high-value, unusual, or that you could not afford to lose a dispute over, have a qualified lawyer in your jurisdiction review it before it is signed.

What a pet sitting agreement needs

  • Owner & sitter names

    Full legal names and contact details for the pet owner and the person or business providing the pet sitting services.

  • Pet details (name, breed, medical needs)

    Name, species, breed, age, and any medical conditions, allergies, or behavioral notes the sitter needs to know before taking over care.

  • Visit dates & times

    Exact start and end dates, plus drop-off and pick-up times. State what happens if the owner is delayed in returning.

  • Feeding / medication instructions

    Food type and amount, feeding schedule, and precise dosage and timing for any medication — this is the single most disputed detail if something goes wrong.

  • Emergency vet contact & authorization

    The pet’s regular vet, a backup clinic, and written authorization for the sitter to approve emergency treatment (and up to what cost) if the owner can’t be reached.

  • Fees & payment

    The rate (per day, per visit, or flat), when it’s due, accepted payment methods, and any deposit or cancellation policy.

  • Liability clause

    Who’s responsible if the pet is injured, escapes, or causes damage or injury to others — and any limits on the sitter’s liability for circumstances outside their control.

  • Signatures & date

    Both the owner and the sitter sign and date the agreement. Until this happens, nothing in it is binding.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving medication instructions verbal instead of written — dosage and timing mistakes are the most common source of disputes.
  • No emergency authorization, which can leave a sitter unable to get a pet urgent care while the owner is unreachable.
  • Vague liability language that doesn’t say who pays if the pet is hurt, escapes, or damages property.
  • No clear policy for late pick-ups or early cancellations, leaving both sides guessing on extra charges.
  • Skipping a proper signature step — a text message or verbal agreement is weak evidence of what was actually agreed if a dispute comes up later.

Turn this into a signed document

Fill in the template above — in your browser, or in any PDF editor — then send it to the owner or the sitter for signature. Both parties sign online, the recipient never needs an account, and the finished file comes back sealed with an audit certificate.

Only you need to sign your own copy? Use the free self-sign tool instead — no account needed.

Free plan: sign and send 5 documents a month, no card required. Unlimited documents and recipients start at $19/month.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a pet sitting agreement and a boarding agreement?
Where the pet stays. A pet sitting agreement covers a sitter visiting — or staying at — the owner’s home, which is what the template on this page is written for. A boarding agreement covers the pet staying at the sitter’s home or a facility, which changes the liability, insurance and premises clauses enough that it needs its own document. Whichever applies, state it explicitly in the agreement.
Is a typed or e-signed pet sitting agreement legally binding?
Yes, in most countries. A typed or drawn electronic signature is legally recognized for ordinary service agreements under laws like the US ESIGN Act and UETA, the EU and UK’s eIDAS rules, and equivalents elsewhere — a pet sitting agreement is a standard contract, not a document requiring notarization or a qualified signature. Are electronic signatures legally binding?.
Do I need a lawyer to write a pet sitting agreement?
For a straightforward arrangement between an owner and an individual sitter, the template on this page covers the standard ground. For a pet sitting business with recurring clients, it’s worth having a lawyer review your liability language once, then reusing it. This page is not legal advice.
Can I send this to the other party to sign online?
Yes. Download the template above, fill in the blanks, then send it for signature. The other party doesn't need an account to sign it. Evenseal's free plan covers up to 5 documents a month with no card required. Create a free account.