Pet Sitting Instructions Template w/ Medical Release

Make leaving your pet with the pet sitter organized and under control with a pet sitting instructions template.

If you're anything like me, when you leave your pets and home in the care of your pet sitter, you want to make sure your pets feel just as comfy with your hired guest as they are with you.

As a former full time pet sitter, and now the owner of several dogs who I leave in the care of a dog sitter regularly, I have learned all the information your dog sitter (actually) wants to know.

This post contains a free download of pet sitting instructions template.

Pet Sitting Instructions Template

Dog Sitter Instructions

Leaving the pet sitter instructions on how to keep your pet alive and thriving for even 24 hours sometimes feels like writing a novel! This doesn't even begin to cover how it feels to take a week long vacation out of the country and leave your best friend behind with someone.

Just when you thought you had covered everything, you shoot one more text to your pet sitter "just in case."

Thorough instructions that cover everything will ensure that no breaks in your pets' routine occur, and that your pet sitter doesn't miss anything.

Once you know that you're headed out of town, start looking for a pet sitter. Finding a pet sitter can be a challenge depending on your social circle and where you live. The best way to find a pet sitter is by word of mouth through trusted friends and family and through inquiring at local vet clinics, groomers and other pet professionals.

Other ways to find a pet sitter include utilizing local facebook groups, Rover or the neighbor app to ask who other local pet owners recommend for a pet sitter.

Cat Sitting Instructions Template Free

Once you find a pet sitter, it's a good idea to have a meet and greet where they can come meet your pets, see where everything they'll need is. This includes showing them where all your pet items are stored, where the light switches are and most importantly make sure your pets are comfortable with the pet sitter.

During the meet and greet you may want to feed a meal to your dogs and/or cats with your pet sitter or do a potty walk.

Helpful thought: If you expect your pet sitter to spend more than 30 minutes doing a meet and greet, it's polite to tip them for this service.

Instructions for Pet Sitter

While it's great to show the pet sitter where everything is and talk them through the routine, leaving them written instructions allows you peace of mind while you're out of town. Plus, pet sitters are humans too, and can't always remember everything talked about. this is especially true if they regularly pet sit for other clients, or if you have multiple pets with a variety of needs.

Some of the things you'll want to write down include:

When and how much your pet gets fed
Where the leash, collar and food is stored
Allergies
Medications
Local emergency contact
Veterinarian contact information
Daily schedule - Does you pet get walked? A treat at a certain time? Crating?
Wifi Password
Trash Day

You can get a complete template for all of these important details in a printable PDF or Canva template by clicking the link below!

Pet Sitter Instructions PDF

Click here to download

Pet Sitter Instructions Template Google Docs

One of the most important things you can leave for you pet sitter is permission to treat your animals if you cannot be reached. You can call ahead to let your veterinarian know that you will be out of town. However, a medical release allows your pet sitter to go to an emergency veterinarian and authorize treatment in the event that you can't be reached.

I created the pet sitter checklist so that you can have peace of mind knowing that everything you need your pet sitter to know is written down. Plus, the more you write down from them, the less they'll have to bug you with questions. This way, you can focus on whatever is taking you out of town.