Establish the details for the care of your pet: Pet Care Contract
What is a Pet Care Contract?
Typically, Pet Care Contracts are drafted to set forth the terms and payment details for pet care that will be provided. Signed by the pet sitter and the pet owner, this essential contract helps each party to set expectations.
When to use a Pet Care Contract:
- You have a Will, but want to add details about your digital assets.
- You want to change details about the digital assets in your Will.
How do I get my Pet Care Contract reviewed?
If you already have a Pet Care Contract and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Sample Pet Care Contract
The terms in your document will update based on the information you provide
This (this "Contract") is made effective as of , by and between , of , , , and , of , , .
Whereas wishes to engage and agrees to undertake the services under the terms and provisions defined in this as well as 's Information sheet (Exhibit A), Pet Information sheet (Exhibit B) and the Veterinary Release Form (Exhibit C) which shall all become part of this Contract. Any reference to pets in this contract shall refer to those specified on the Pet Information sheet.
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES. Beginning on , will provide the following services (collectively, the "Services"):
PAYMENT FOR SERVICES.
Additional fees may include the purchase of necessary items for the care of the pet, including but not limited to pet food, litter or cleaning supplies, transportation, unexpected visits and emergency expenses for health care. shall retain and submit receipts as proof of additional expenses.
TERM/TERMINATION. This shall terminate automatically on .
EMERGENCIES. In the event of an emergency, shall contact at the numbers provided to confirm 's choice of action. If cannot be reached in a timely manner, is authorized to:
a. Transport the pet(s) to the listed veterinarian on the attached Veterinary Release Form;
b. Request on-site treatment from a veterinarian;
c. Transport the pet(s) to an emergency clinic if the previous two options are not feasible.
RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES. It is understood by the parties that is an independent contractor with respect to , and not an employee of . will not provide fringe benefits, including health insurance benefits, paid vacation, or any other employee benefit, for the benefit of .
SECURITY. warrants to keep safe and confidential all keys, remote control entry devices, access codes and personal information of and to return same to at the end of the contract period or immediately upon demand.
LIABILITY. accepts no liability for any breach of security or loss of or damage to 's property if any other person has access to the property during the term of this Contract. shall not be liable for any mishap of whatsoever nature which may befall a pet or caused by a pet who has unsupervised access to the outdoors. is released from all liability related to transporting pet(s) to and from any veterinary clinic or kennel, the medical treatment of the pet(s) and the expense thereof. is released from all liability of injury to pet(s) caused by other pet(s) or animal(s) not under the control of .
ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Contract contains the entire agreement of the parties, and there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement whether oral or written.
SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Contract shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Contract is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
APPLICABLE LAW. This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of .
PARTY CONTRACTING SERVICES:
| By: | Date: |
PET SITTER:
| By: | Date: |
EXHIBIT A
Owner's Information Sheet
Name:
Address: , City:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
E-mail Address:
Exhibit B
Pet Information Sheet
| Pet Name | Age | Gender | Species | Color |
Any history of biting?
Feeding Instructions:
Medication Instructions:
EXHIBIT C
Veterinary Release Form
,
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I hereby authorize the attending veterinarian to treat any of my pets as listed on the Pet Information sheet and I accept full responsibility for all fees and charges incurred in the treatment of any of my pets.
is authorized to transport my pet to and from the veterinary clinic for treatment or to request "on-site" treatment if deemed necessary. If I cannot be reached in case of an emergency, shall act on my behalf to authorize any treatment excluding euthanasia.
Pet Sitters Full Name:
Date: _________________________
Pet Care Contract FAQs
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Should a pet care provider always make Pet Care Contracts?
Even if you are doing the job as a favor, it is critical to capture the details of your agreements with those hiring you in writing. You may opt to make a Pet Care Contract because, when made correctly, it can yield the helpful benefits outlined below:
- There are no surprises about how long the contract will last
- Both parties know what they are responsible for
- Fee requirements are well-defined
Ultimately, if you opt not to make this document, neither party will enjoy any of the benefits associated with having one in place.
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What does a pet care contract template most often include?
Key details that you might want to include in the Pet Care Contract are:
- Your client's contact information
- What fees will be charged and when
- Whether the care will be ongoing or if it will last for a predetermined period of time
- What tasks you are committed to performing
As you might hope, Pet Care Contracts that you make with Rocket Lawyer also contain the standard legal language about the independent work relationship, the protection of confidential information, dispute resolution, and lastly, liability for losses. In the process of making your agreement, you also will be able to choose which state's jurisdiction it will be subject to. With the document tool, you have the power to make additional custom alterations, if necessary. If your dog or cat were to be injured or become ill, this Animal Care Contract contains a Vet Release Form so the caretaker could take your furry friend to the vet.
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What might I usually have to pay for a lawyer to create a contract for pet care?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Pet Care Contract can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Pet Care Contract tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask a Legal Pro for guidance.
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Is anything else required once a Pet Care Contract is drafted?
After drafting your Pet Care Contract, review it carefully. You may also want to review it with the other party to ensure all parties fully understand and agree to the terms of the agreement. Once all parties agree to the terms, the next step is to have all parties sign it, and each party should keep a copy for their records. It’s also a good idea to store it in a safe, accessible place in case you need to reference it later.
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Where do I have my Pet Care Contracts evaluated by a professional?
It’s smart to have an important agreement reviewed before you sign, so you fully understand the terms and avoid potential risks.
While some attorneys may review documents they didn’t draft, others may decline or require a retainer, hourly billing, or a flat fee. This can make getting a legal document review of your Pet Care Contract less predictable and more time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process simpler. With a Rocket Lawyer membership, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your Pet Care Contract. You can also use Rocket Copilot to quickly review your agreement, spot potentially risky terms, and make sure everything looks accurate before signing.
Once you’re ready, you can sign your document online with RocketSign—all in one place.