Pet Sitting Contract Template (Free, Copy & Use)

Most pet sitters skip contracts until something goes wrong. By then it's too late. A written agreement:

• Defines exactly what service you're providing and what you're not
• Sets clear expectations for cancellations, no-shows, and late pickups
• Limits your liability if a pet is injured during normal care
• Gives you legal standing if a client refuses to pay or disputes a charge
• Shows clients you run a real business — which often lets you charge higher rates

You don't need a lawyer to write one. A clear, plain-English agreement that both parties sign (or click to accept) is enforceable in most jurisdictions.

A solid pet sitting contract covers these sections:

1. Parties and dates

Your legal name (or business name) and the client's full name. The specific dates and times covered by the agreement. If you do recurring bookings, specify the recurrence schedule.

2. Services provided

Be specific. "Pet sitting" means different things to different people. List exactly what's included — drop-in visits, feeding, walks, medication administration, overnight stays — and what's not included.

3. Rates and payment terms

List your rates for each service type, when payment is due (at booking, before service, or after), and your accepted payment methods. Specify whether tips are included or separate.

4. Cancellation and no-show policy

This is the section clients read most carefully — and the one that protects you most. A common structure:

• 48+ hours notice: full refund
• 24–48 hours notice: 50% refund or full credit toward rebooking
• Under 24 hours / no-show: no refund

State the policy clearly and have clients acknowledge it before paying. That acknowledgment is what makes it enforceable.

5. Pet health and emergency authorization

Collect: pet name, breed, age, weight, any medical conditions, current medications and dosages, vaccination status, and the name and phone number of their vet. Include a line authorizing you to seek emergency veterinary care if the client is unreachable, and specify who is responsible for those costs.

6. Liability and limitation of liability

Include language that you will provide reasonable care but cannot guarantee the pet's health or safety beyond what is within your control. Limit your liability to the cost of the service for incidents outside your control or negligence.

Note: This is general guidance, not legal advice. Consider having an attorney review your liability clause if you work with high-value or medically complex pets.

7. Home access and key policy

If you have a key or door code, address how it's stored, who has access, and how it's returned when the relationship ends. State that the key is only used for scheduled visits.

8. Photo and social media release

If you post pet photos on Instagram or your booking page, you need explicit permission. Add a simple checkbox: "I give [your name] permission to photograph my pet and use photos on social media and marketing materials."

Here's a plain-English template you can copy and adapt. Replace the bracketed fields with your own information.

The best time to get agreement to your contract terms is at booking — not after. If you send a PDF to sign after a client books, many will ignore it, and you have weak legal standing if something goes wrong.

The cleanest approach: build your cancellation policy and key terms into your booking page so clients must acknowledge them before paying. When you take payment at booking time through a platform that displays your policy, the payment itself serves as acknowledgment of the terms.

PawDash lets you set a custom cancellation policy that clients see and agree to on the checkout screen before every booking. No separate contract to chase down.