Can I sign electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are satisfied.

Is notarization required?

Generally no for routine kennel agreements. Notarization is uncommon unless state law or a specific owner request demands it; check local requirements if a notarized acknowledgement is needed.

What if proof of vaccination is missing?

Many kennels refuse service without valid documentation. Include a clause allowing refusal of service or required onsite vaccination at owner's expense to manage health risks.

How long should I keep signed agreements?

Retain signed agreements for at least 3 years after service termination and consider 7 years for liability protection; HIPAA-related records may require 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Who pays for emergency vet care?

The agreement should state whether the owner or the kennel authorizes and pays for emergency treatment and any maximum authorization amount to avoid billing disputes.

How to handle unauthorized pick-up?

Include identity verification requirements, a hold-until-paid policy, and a process for contacting emergency designees; consider retaining a lien on the animal under state law until bills are paid.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Kennel Service Agreement

Kennel Service Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

KENNEL SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Kennel Service Agreement (the "Agreement") is made effective as of Effective Date: by and between Kennel Name: located at Kennel Address: , and Client Name: Client Address: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Kennel operates a boarding and pet care facility and is duly qualified to provide care, lodging, feeding, exercise and such other services for domestic animals in accordance with industry standards; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Kennel to provide boarding and related services for Client's animal(s) subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend for this Agreement to set forth the full understanding and obligations of each party with respect to the kennel services described below.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Kennel shall provide boarding, routine feeding, exercise, and supervision for the animal(s) identified below. Additional or specialized services (grooming, training, extended exercise, medicating) will be provided only as requested by Client and agreed in writing by Kennel.

Detailed Scope / Special Instructions

PET INFORMATION

Pet Name Breed / Description

Age:

Sex:

Microchip / ID:

HEALTH, VACCINATIONS & AUTHORIZATIONS

Client represents and warrants that the animal is in good health and free of communicable diseases. Client certifies that the animal's vaccinations are current and that Client will provide proof upon request. Client agrees to notify Kennel of any health changes prior to arrival.

Vaccination Records (check all that apply) Rabies Distemper/Parvovirus Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Date of Last Vaccination(s)

Emergency Veterinary Care: Client authorizes Kennel to obtain veterinary care at Client's expense if, in the judgment of Kennel or the attending veterinarian, such care is necessary for the health or safety of the animal. Kennel will make reasonable efforts to contact Client prior to obtaining emergency care.

Emergency Contact Name and Phone Preferred Veterinarian

PAYMENT TERMS

Client agrees to pay Kennel the fees described below. All fees are earned when services are performed and are non-refundable except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

Boarding Rate (per night) Deposit Amount (if applicable) Payment Schedule / Due Dates Late Fee

Accepted Payment Methods Cash Card Check Other

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and, unless earlier terminated, ends on End Date: for the specific boarding engagement. Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure within Notice Period (days): following written notice.

Kennel may immediately terminate service and remove the animal from premises at Client's expense if the animal poses a danger to staff or other animals, or if Client fails to comply with the vaccination, payment, or other material terms of this Agreement.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party agrees that any non-public personal information exchanged in connection with performance under this Agreement shall be maintained in confidence and used only for purposes of providing or receiving kennel services, except as required by law or as necessary to provide veterinary or emergency care.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Client acknowledges risks inherent in boarding animals and agrees Kennel shall not be liable for loss, theft, escape, injury, illness, or death of the animal except to the extent caused by Kennel's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Client shall indemnify, defend, and hold Kennel harmless from all claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from Client's breach of this Agreement or Client's negligence.

OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES

Client will provide sufficient food, supplies, medication (with clear instructions), and up-to-date contact information. Kennel may charge additional fees for administration of medication, special diets, or extended care. Personal items left with the animal are left at Client's risk.

Medication / Feeding Instructions

PICKUP AND DROP-OFF

Regular drop-off time begins at Drop-off Time: and pickup must occur by Pickup Time: on the agreed release date. Late pickup may incur additional daily charges.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Governing State

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, together with any schedules or addenda signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. No waiver of any breach shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

Client:

By:

Date:

Kennel:

By:

Date:

What the Kennel Service Agreement Covers

A Kennel Service Agreement is a written contract that sets out the terms between a kennel operator and a pet owner for boarding, grooming, daycare, or related care services. The agreement defines services provided, fees and deposits, health and vaccination requirements, liability and indemnity, emergency care procedures, pick-up and drop-off rules, and dispute resolution terms. It establishes expectations for both parties and creates an enforceable record of consent, performance obligations, and remedies in case of breach.

Why a Written Agreement Matters for Kennel Services

A clear Kennel Service Agreement reduces misunderstandings, documents consent for care and charges, and protects both the kennel and the pet owner by allocating risk and remedies.

Who Typically Completes a Kennel Service Agreement

Kennel Service Agreements are completed by kennel operators and signed by pet owners before services begin.

Kennel operators and managers preparing standard terms for clients.
Pet owners or authorized agents providing consent and emergency contact details.
Veterinary clinics or boarding brokers coordinating care on behalf of owners.

Third parties such as emergency contacts, veterinarians, or authorized pet sitters may also appear as designated contacts on the same agreement.

Typical Signers and Their Roles

Kennel Owner — Operator

The business owner or authorized manager signs to accept liability limits, set service standards, and confirm emergency procedures. They are responsible for compliance with local animal control and health requirements and for maintaining insurance coverage.

Pet Owner — Client

The owner or authorized agent signs to confirm pet identity, provide health and vaccination information, agree to fees, authorize emergency care, and accept the kennel's rules and liability limitations.

Essential Clauses to Include

A professional Kennel Service Agreement should include clear, enforceable clauses that address operations, health, payments, and liability for routine and emergency situations.

Services Provided

Describe the exact services (boarding, grooming, daycare), hours of care, feeding or medication responsibilities, and any optional add-ons so there is no ambiguity about the scope of work.

Fees & Deposits

Specify rates, payment method, deposit amount, refund rules, late fees, and when additional charges apply (extra care, veterinary bills, extended stays) to avoid disputes over billing.

Health Requirements

List required vaccinations and health certificates, timelines for proof, and instructions for pets with contagious conditions; state consequences for failure to produce documentation.

Emergency Care

Authorize emergency veterinary treatment, define approval thresholds and expense limits, and explain how the kennel will attempt owner contact and payment responsibility for care.

Liability & Indemnity

Set out liability caps, exclusions for preexisting conditions or negligence, and any indemnification the owner provides for third-party claims arising from their pet.

Pickup & Release

Provide identification and authorization rules for pickup, late pickup fees, hold-until-paid policies, and procedures for unclaimed animals to protect both parties.

Critical Information to Collect

Owner Identity: Full legal name

Pet Details: Name, breed, age

Vaccination Proof: Rabies and core vaccines

Emergency Contacts: Phone and authorization

Payment Info: Card or billing terms

Medical Instructions: Medications and conditions

Step-by-Step to Complete the Agreement

Follow these steps in order to prepare, present, and finalize a Kennel Service Agreement with a client.

01

Prepare Form: Draft terms and required fields.
02

Collect Documents: Request vaccination proof and ID.
03

Review Terms: Walk owner through fees and policies.
04

Sign & Store: Obtain signatures and retain record.

Typical Routing and Submission Flow

This sequence describes how the agreement moves from draft to signed record and where copies are stored for operational and compliance needs.

Upload Contract: Operator uploads agreement template.
Assign Fields: Place signature and date fields.
Send to Owner: Distribute via email or secure link.
Archive Record: Store signed PDF with audit trail.

Online Workflow Settings to Use

Configure your digital workflow to minimize friction while ensuring consent, authentication, and record retention.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Owner signs after operator reviews
Authentication	Email + optional SMS code
Attachments	Require vaccine proof upload
Retention	Automatic PDF archive with audit log

Digital Signing and Integration Considerations

Choose a platform that supports secure e-signatures, audit trails, and attachments for health documents.

Authentication: Email, SMS codes
Integrations: CRM and calendar sync
File Types: PDF, DOCX accepted

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Kennel Agreements

Common eSignature options differ on price, enterprise features, bulk send, and HIPAA support; signNow appears first to simplify vendor selection comparisons.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Agreements

Adopt consistent procedures and templates to reduce errors, speed onboarding, and ensure legal clarity for clients and staff.

Use a Standard Template

Keep a single, reviewed template for all clients. Standardization reduces negotiation time and ensures required fields and disclosures are always present.

Require Proof Upfront

Request vaccination certificates and any medical-release forms at reservation time to avoid refusal of service on arrival and to protect other animals.

Record Emergency Authorizations

Obtain explicit written authorization for emergency veterinary care with monetary limits to prevent billing disputes and ensure timely treatment.

Archive Signed Records

Store signed PDFs with an audit trail and backup. Maintain a retention schedule aligned with regulatory and insurance requirements.

Risks and Contractual Penalties to Note

Breach Liability: Potential damages

Vaccination Failure: Service refusal or liability

Unauthorized Release: Civil claims possible

Late Pickup: Storage and boarding fees

Unpaid Bills: Collection and lien actions

Regulatory Fines: Local health violations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to collect and verify vaccination proof before arrival leads to denied service and potential disease exposure to other animals.
Using vague language about fees and deposits creates disputes over refunds and late pickup charges.
Not obtaining written emergency authorization forces kennels to delay care or face unpaid veterinary bills.
Storing signed agreements only in paper form without backups risks loss and weakens evidence in a dispute.

Sample Use Cases for Kennel Service Agreements

These anonymized examples show how different operators structure agreements to manage risk and client expectations.

Independent Boarding Facility

An independent kennel required vaccination proof at booking and a two-night minimum stay.

This reduced no-shows by 20%.
By standardizing deposits and automated reminders, the owner decreased debtor write-offs and sped up check-in processes while preserving service quality.

Veterinary Hospital Boarding

A vet-run boarding service included emergency authorization and direct-bill provisions in the contract.

They required owner authorization for treatments up to $500.
This approach ensured immediate care without payment delays and decreased liability disputes by clarifying financial responsibility in advance.

Timelines and Deadlines to Communicate Clearly

Set and publish time-sensitive terms so clients understand payment windows, cancellation rules, and documentation deadlines.

Reservation Deposit Due:

Due at booking; nonrefundable if canceled within 48 hours

Vaccination Proof Deadline:

Required at or before check-in in MM/DD/YYYY format

Cancellation Window:

Cancel 72 hours prior for full refund of deposit

Late Pickup Policy:

Overnight charge applies after closing hour

Damage Claims Deadline:

Report within 7 days of pickup for consideration

Where to Send and Store Completed Agreements

Designate secure storage and distribution channels for signed agreements to maintain records and compliance.

Client Copy: Email signed PDF to owner
Operator Archive: Store in secure cloud folder
Veterinary Records: Attach to medical chart if applicable
Insurance File: Include signed contract for claims

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common concerns about enforceability, digital signing, vaccination proof, and dispute resolution.

Need help? Contact support

Can I sign electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes in most jurisdictions, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are satisfied.
Is notarization required?
Generally no for routine kennel agreements. Notarization is uncommon unless state law or a specific owner request demands it; check local requirements if a notarized acknowledgement is needed.
What if proof of vaccination is missing?
Many kennels refuse service without valid documentation. Include a clause allowing refusal of service or required onsite vaccination at owner's expense to manage health risks.
How long should I keep signed agreements?
Retain signed agreements for at least 3 years after service termination and consider 7 years for liability protection; HIPAA-related records may require 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
Who pays for emergency vet care?
The agreement should state whether the owner or the kennel authorizes and pays for emergency treatment and any maximum authorization amount to avoid billing disputes.
How to handle unauthorized pick-up?
Include identity verification requirements, a hold-until-paid policy, and a process for contacting emergency designees; consider retaining a lien on the animal under state law until bills are paid.

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