Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws (where adopted). Ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable record retention to meet the legal validity test.

Is notarization required?

Not typically required for a livestock care contract, but some states or lenders may ask for notarized signatures. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is available in most states; verify state notary rules and retention requirements before relying on RON.

Who should sign the agreement?

The owner (title holder) and the designated caretaker or facility must sign. If an agent signs, include proof of authority (power of attorney or written authorization). Ensure signer names match identification to avoid enforceability issues.

What if an animal needs emergency care?

The agreement should include explicit emergency authorization, a spending limit the caretaker may incur, preferred veterinarian contact, and required notice procedures. Without clear authorization, providers risk delayed treatment and potential liability for refusal to act.

How long should records be kept?

Retain the signed agreement for the contract term plus at least three years. For healthcare information follow HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)) six-year retention. For tax or financial records follow IRC §6501(a) three-year minimum; state rules may be longer.

How to amend or cancel the agreement?

Amendments should be in writing and signed by all parties; include amendment date and scope. For cancellation follow the termination clause. If revoking authorization for care, provide written notice and obtain confirmation of receipt to document revocation.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Livestock Care Agreement

Livestock Care Agreement

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

LIVESTOCK CARE AGREEMENT

This Livestock Care Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of the day of , . Owner: Caretaker:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Owner is the lawful owner of livestock described in Section 2 and desires to engage Caretaker to provide caregiving, feeding, monitoring and related services for such livestock under the terms set forth below; and

WHEREAS, Caretaker represents that Caretaker has the experience, facilities and personnel necessary to provide the required care in a professional and humane manner, and agrees to perform such duties in accordance with accepted industry practices and applicable law; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to reduce their agreement to writing and set forth their mutual rights and obligations.

1. PARTIES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Owner Legal Name Owner Address Owner Phone / Email Caretaker Business / Legal Name Caretaker Address Caretaker Phone / Email

2. SCOPE OF CARE

Description of animals to be cared for (species, breed, sex, age, identifying marks or tag numbers, and quantity). Include any individual animal identifiers and current health/vaccination status, if known.

Specific care duties to be provided by Caretaker (feeding schedule and rations, turnout, cleaning, monitoring, hoof/teeth care, breeding management, training, record keeping, and routine observations). Identify any tasks that are excluded.

Authorized Veterinary Clinic / Contact

3. PAYMENT TERMS

Owner agrees to pay Caretaker for services as follows:

Base Fee (per period or per animal) Payment Schedule Late Fee Additional Charges (veterinary, medication, labor, feed supplements)

Payment method (select applicable):

Cash Check Wire/Bank Transfer Other (specify in Additional Charges)

4. TERM AND TERMINATION

Term commencement date: .

Term end date (if applicable): .

Either party may terminate this Agreement for any reason upon written notice to the other party delivered at least days prior to the effective termination date. Immediate termination is permitted for material breach, gross negligence, willful misconduct, or where continued performance would violate applicable law.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

Caretaker acknowledges that information regarding Owner's livestock, business operations, veterinary records, client lists, and financial terms is confidential. Caretaker will not disclose Confidential Information to any third party except as necessary to perform services, to comply with law, or with Owner's prior written consent. Confidential Information excludes information that is (a) already known to the receiving party without restriction, (b) publicly available other than by breach of this Agreement, or (c) rightfully received from a third party without confidentiality obligations.

6. LIABILITY, INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY

Caretaker shall maintain, at its expense, commercial general liability insurance and, if applicable, animal mortality or care, custody and control coverage in amounts reasonable for the nature and size of the herd. Proof of insurance shall be provided to Owner upon request. Caretaker is responsible for performing duties in a professional manner; however, Owner acknowledges that livestock are subject to illness, injury and death. Except for loss arising from Caretaker's gross negligence or willful misconduct, Owner releases Caretaker from consequential damages for loss of income or loss of animals. Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from claims arising out of its own negligence, breach of this Agreement, or willful acts.

7. EMERGENCY CARE AUTHORIZATION

Caretaker is authorized to seek emergency veterinary care if, in the reasonable judgment of Caretaker or a licensed veterinarian, emergency treatment is required to prevent undue suffering. Owner agrees to reimburse Caretaker for all reasonable emergency veterinary and associated costs incurred on Owner's behalf unless otherwise pre-authorized in writing.

Caretaker is authorized to consent to euthanasia when, in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian, euthanasia is necessary to prevent undue suffering and Owner is unreachable after reasonable efforts.

8. ACCESS, KEYS AND FACILITIES

Owner will provide Caretaker with necessary access to premises, keys, gate codes and instructions. Caretaker will secure premises and return keys or deactivate codes upon termination. Owner is responsible for maintaining fences, watering systems and primary shelter unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. BIOSECURITY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Owner shall disclose known contagious disease, recent exposure risks, quarantine requirements and provide up-to-date vaccination and health records as required by local animal health authorities and by Caretaker. Caretaker may refuse to accept animals presenting an unreported contagious disease or health risk and may require isolation at Owner's expense.

10. GOVERNING LAW

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

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, together with any written exhibits or attachments signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between Owner and Caretaker regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, representations and agreements, whether written or oral. No modification or waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

12. NOTICES

Notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth in Section 1 or to such other address as either party designates in writing. Notice is effective upon personal delivery, confirmed electronic transmission, or three days after deposit with U.S. mail, postage prepaid.

13. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and the invalid provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

ATTACHMENTS

The parties may attach as exhibits vaccinated health records, itemized feeding schedules, a map of premises, and a list of required supplies. Attachments become a part of this Agreement when signed by both parties.

Additional Terms or Special Instructions

Owner Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Caretaker Printed Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

What a Livestock Care Agreement Is and when it applies

A Livestock Care Agreement is a written contract that defines responsibilities for the daily care, feeding, medical treatment, housing, transport, and emergency management of animals owned by another party. Typical parties are animal owners and caretakers, such as boarding facilities, agistment providers, or independent caregivers. The agreement specifies services provided, feeding schedules, veterinary authorization, liability allocation, payment terms, duration, termination rights, and instructions for disposition in case of death or abandonment. Clear, detailed terms reduce disputes and support enforcement whether signed on paper or electronically under U.S. e-signature laws.

Why a clear Livestock Care Agreement matters

A Livestock Care Agreement clarifies duties, allocates financial and legal responsibility, and documents veterinary consent and emergency instructions. It reduces the risk of animal neglect, helps resolve disputes, and provides evidence for insurers or courts when enforcing care obligations or claiming damages.

Who commonly relies on this agreement

Boarding stables, ranch owners, neighbors, and animal service providers commonly use this agreement to formalize care relationships and expectations.

Livestock owners and family members — set care duties, rates, and medical authority.
Boarding facilities and agistment providers — define services, feeding plans, and termination terms.
Veterinarians and transporters — document authorization for treatment, euthanasia, and movement.

Use the agreement whether a short-term boarding arrangement or a long-term care placement to reduce ambiguity and legal exposure.

Primary signers and their responsibilities

Owner

The owner is the legal title holder responsible for disclosing health history, providing emergency contact information, and assigning veterinary authorization. Owners should clearly state payment responsibilities and insurance coverage to avoid disputes and ensure timely care decisions.

Caretaker

Caretaker means a boarding facility, ranch hand, or individual who provides daily animal care, administers medications per instructions, documents health events, and follows owner-authorized veterinary directives. The caretaker must maintain records and notify owners of emergencies promptly.

Core sections to include in a professional agreement

Core sections outline parties, care responsibilities, feeding and medication plans, veterinary authorization, payment terms, liability limits, duration, termination, and emergency disposition instructions.

Parties

Identify owner and caretaker by legal name and contact information. Specify whom notices are sent to, and include emergency contacts and any authorized third-party agents for decision-making.

Care Duties

Detail daily feeding schedules, bedding, exercise, pasture rotation, and special handling needs. Include who provides feed, supplies, and implements routine husbandry tasks and vaccination reminders.

Medical Authority

Authorize routine and emergency veterinary care, specify spending limits without owner consent, require written prior approvals for major procedures, and state euthanasia instructions if applicable.

Payment Terms

Set rates, billing cycle, deposit, late fees, and responsibility for veterinary bills. Clarify who pays for transportation, quarantine, or specialized boarding during outbreaks and feed supplements.

Liability

Limitations on caretaker liability for illness, injury, theft, or escape; required insurance levels; indemnification clauses; and procedures for handling claims and third-party damages including cost allocation.

Termination

Specify notice periods, cure opportunities for breaches, removal of animals, disposition on nonpayment, and procedures for unclaimed animals, including storage, sale, or humane disposition per local law.

Step-by-step: completing the Livestock Care Agreement

Follow this sequence to complete the Livestock Care Agreement accurately and document treatment authority for emergencies.

01

Prepare Details: Gather animal IDs, health records, and owner contact information.
02

Fill Fields: Enter parties, dates, and care instructions precisely.
03

Agree Terms: Confirm payment, liability, and veterinary authority clauses.
04

Sign and Retain: Obtain signatures and store copies securely.

Configuring an online signing workflow

Configure online workflow to collect signatures, set field validation, and notify parties upon completion for a clear audit trail.

Field	Configuration
Signature field configuration and assignment	Required; assign signer role and order
Signer authentication method selection required	Options: email link, SMS code, KBA
Conditional field visibility rules setup	Show payment fields when 'Paid' selected
Audit trail capture and retention	Record IP, timestamps, field changes

Typical eSigning flow for a Livestock Care Agreement

Typical routing: upload the agreement, assign fields, authenticate signer(s), collect electronic signatures, and retain a copy with an audit trail.

Upload: Attach PDF or Word document
Place Fields: Drag signature, initial, and date fields
Authenticate: Choose email, SMS, or identity proofing
Complete: Signer reviews and signs electronically

Platform and file requirements for eSubmission

Use platforms that support PDF/Word uploads, mobile signing, and secure audit trails to ensure records are reproducible for legal or regulatory review.

File Types: PDF, DOCX, and HTML
Integrations: Google Workspace, NetSuite, Salesforce
Authentication: Email link; optional SMS/KBA

Security and compliance considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest.

Certifications: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS

HIPAA: Compliant with signed BAA required

ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN Act and UETA standards

Audit Trail: Records timestamps, IP, and actions

Access Controls: SSO, MFA, role-based permissions

Common legal and practical risks to avoid

Late Payment: Accrue late fees; service suspension

Incorrect Medical Consent: Delay treatment; liability risk

Missing Signatures: Agreement unenforceable in disputes

Wrong Contact Info: Delayed emergency response

Improper Notarization: May invalidate certain clauses

Tax Reporting: May affect tax deductions

Frequent preparation pitfalls

Vague care instructions like 'as needed' create subjective standards and are a frequent cause of disputes; specify quantities, times, and measurable conditions.
Failing to authorize emergency veterinary spending causes treatment delays; include a clear spending cap and contact protocol for urgent decisions.
Not updating contact or health records leads to missed notifications; require quarterly reviews and immediate owner updates upon changes.
Using unsigned email consent without a signed agreement risks enforceability; obtain a signed record showing intent and consent under ESIGN.

Key dates to include and monitor

Key dates include effective date, payment due dates, required veterinary checks, notice periods for termination, and insurance renewal deadlines.

Effective Date:

Controls obligations start; use MM/DD/YYYY format.

Payment Due Dates:

Specify monthly or per-visit deadlines and late fee trigger.

Veterinary Check Schedule:

List routine exam intervals and vaccination dates.

Termination Notice:

Provide notice period and cure timeframe.

Insurance Renewal:

Confirm liability insurance effective dates annually.

Milestone timeline from agreement to post-termination

Sequential milestones from negotiation through post-termination help owners and caretakers track obligations and avoid missed duties.

01

Negotiation and Drafting

Clarify services and fees before signature.

02

Commencement

Effective date triggers care responsibilities.

03

Ongoing Reviews

Quarterly health and contact information checks.

04

Termination and Disposition

Owner removal or disposition of unclaimed animals.

Real-world examples of common agreement types

Examples show common uses: short-term boarding agreements and long-term agistment contracts with clear medical and emergency provisions.

Boarding Stable Agreement

A boarding stable used a Livestock Care Agreement to standardize daily feeding, turnout, and medication administration for tenant horses.

Included emergency vet spending cap of $500.
The written agreement avoided disputes after a medical emergency by documenting authorization to treat and the billing responsibility, enabling prompt care and a clear resolution between owner and facility without litigation.

Long-Term Agistment

A ranch entered a long-term agistment agreement to document grazing rotation, biosecurity protocols, and seasonal responsibilities.

Added quarantine and vaccination requirements.
When an outbreak occurred, the contract's biosecurity clauses required isolation and veterinary reporting, limiting spread and clarifying cost allocation so the owner and agister resolved liabilities under the written terms.

Practical drafting and maintenance tips

Adopt these practical measures to make the Livestock Care Agreement clear, enforceable, and effective in real-world care scenarios.

Use clear, specific care instructions

Replace vague phrases with quantitative instructions for feed amounts, schedules, medication names and dosages, and handling protocols. Specify who administers routine treatments and how deviations are approved to reduce disputes and support enforcement.

Include explicit emergency veterinary authorization

Clearly state the spending cap for emergency care, communication procedures, and euthanasia authorization if applicable. Include preferred veterinarian and whether caretaker may act in absence of immediate owner contact to expedite critical care.

Document insurance and indemnity terms

Require caretakers to carry liability insurance and list minimum coverage amounts. Include indemnity clauses for third-party damages and clarify whether veterinary bills are insured or billed directly to owners to prevent cost disputes.

Review and update periodically

Schedule reviews at least annually or after major events. Update contact information, health records, and care protocols. Communicate amendments in writing and obtain re-signatures to maintain enforceability and accurate records for audits or legal actions.

Comparing eSignature plans for executing Livestock Care Agreements

Compare common eSignature plan criteria relevant when signing and managing Livestock Care Agreements with third-party vendors.

	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	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about Livestock Care Agreements

Answers to frequent questions about completing, signing, and enforcing a Livestock Care Agreement, including eSignature and notarization concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws (where adopted). Ensure intent, consent, signer attribution, and reliable record retention to meet the legal validity test.
Is notarization required?
Not typically required for a livestock care contract, but some states or lenders may ask for notarized signatures. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is available in most states; verify state notary rules and retention requirements before relying on RON.
Who should sign the agreement?
The owner (title holder) and the designated caretaker or facility must sign. If an agent signs, include proof of authority (power of attorney or written authorization). Ensure signer names match identification to avoid enforceability issues.
What if an animal needs emergency care?
The agreement should include explicit emergency authorization, a spending limit the caretaker may incur, preferred veterinarian contact, and required notice procedures. Without clear authorization, providers risk delayed treatment and potential liability for refusal to act.
How long should records be kept?
Retain the signed agreement for the contract term plus at least three years. For healthcare information follow HIPAA (45 CFR §164.530(j)) six-year retention. For tax or financial records follow IRC §6501(a) three-year minimum; state rules may be longer.
How to amend or cancel the agreement?
Amendments should be in writing and signed by all parties; include amendment date and scope. For cancellation follow the termination clause. If revoking authorization for care, provide written notice and obtain confirmation of receipt to document revocation.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now