Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures that show intent, consent, attribution, and retention are legally enforceable for private contracts.

What if vaccination proof is missing?

Facilities can refuse intake or require onsite vaccination if permitted by local law; clearly state refusal and rebooking policies in the agreement to avoid disputes.

Can a third party authorize vet care?

Only if the owner signs an explicit emergency authorization naming the third party and a monetary limit, or if local law provides substitute decision rules.

When should I get a notarized agreement?

Notarization is rarely required for boarding contracts. Consider notarization if you need added authentication for high-value services or where state law suggests it.

How long must I keep signed agreements?

Retain agreements for at least three years after service; longer retention may apply for health-related records (6 years under HIPAA) or per insurer requirements.

What if the owner disputes charges?

Use the signed agreement, timestamped delivery, and audit trail as primary evidence; follow dispute provisions and consider mediation or small-claims procedures if unresolved.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Personal
Pet Boarding Agreement

Pet Boarding Agreement

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

PET BOARDING AGREEMENT

This Pet Boarding Agreement is entered into on Date: between Owner Name: and Facility Name: . The parties agree as follows.

1. Parties and Contact Information

Owner Contact Information Emergency Contact (other than owner) Facility Contact Information

2. Pet Information

Pet Name Species / Breed / Color / Age Sex / Microchip / Identification Vaccination Records (enter date administered)

Owner warrants that the vaccinations listed above are true and current and will provide proof of vaccination upon request. Owner further certifies the pet is not currently under quarantine nor is it known to have been exposed to a communicable disease within 21 days prior to check-in.

3. Boarding Period and Services

Boarding Period Requested Services (check all that apply)

Standard boarding Grooming (by request) Daily walks/exercise Medication administration

Additional Service Details Fees and Payment

Owner agrees to pay all charges for services and any veterinary care incurred. Payment is due at pick-up unless otherwise agreed. A late pickup fee of per hour will apply after the agreed pick-up time.

4. Feeding, Medication, and Behavior

Feeding Instructions Medication Instructions (list medication, dose, frequency) Behavior / Temperament / Aggression History

Owner certifies the pet is not aggressive (unless described above) and acknowledges that aggressive or biting animals may be refused service or may be restrained at Owner's expense.

5. Health, Veterinary Care, and Authorizations

Owner authorizes Facility to obtain veterinary care for the pet if, in Facility's sole judgment, such care is necessary. Owner agrees to pay all veterinary charges. Facility will make reasonable efforts to contact Owner and emergency contact prior to treatment when practicable.

Emergency Veterinary Authorization Limit

If veterinary care is required and the estimated cost exceeds the amount above, Facility will attempt to contact Owner. If Owner cannot be reached and treatment is necessary to prevent undue suffering, Owner authorizes Facility to proceed.

Owner selects euthanasia authorization preference (select one):
Owner authorizes euthanasia if recommended by veterinarian to prevent undue suffering when Owner cannot be reached.
Owner declines authorization for euthanasia; Facility will provide palliative care only until Owner can be reached.

6. Liability, Indemnification, and Risk Assumption

Facility will exercise reasonable care in caring for the pet. Facility is not liable for injury, illness, or death of the pet except to the extent caused by Facility's gross negligence. Owner assumes all risks associated with boarding and agrees to indemnify and hold Facility harmless from claims, losses, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising from the pet's behavior or condition during boarding.

Owner is responsible for any damage caused by the pet to Facility property or to third parties and for any costs incurred to disinfect or repair.

7. Lost, Missing, Abandoned Pets and Unclaimed Property

If Owner fails to pick up the pet within 72 hours after the agreed pickup date, Facility may assess additional boarding charges and will make reasonable attempts to contact Owner. If Owner fails to respond within 10 days following written notice to Owner at the address on file, Facility may deem the pet abandoned and take steps to rehome or surrender the pet, subject to local law. Owner remains responsible for all fees and costs incurred.

8. Cancellation, Deposit, and No-Show Policy

Cancellation within 48 hours of scheduled check-in may forfeit the deposit. No-shows are subject to full charges for the confirmed reservation. Deposits will be applied to the final invoice.

9. Miscellaneous Provisions

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Owner and Facility. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties. If any provision is found invalid, the remainder will continue in full force. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state in which the Facility operates.

10. Owner Acknowledgement and Certifications

Owner certifies that the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of Owner's knowledge. Owner acknowledges receipt of any written facility policies provided at drop-off and agrees to the terms above.

Additional Notes or Instructions

Owner:

By:

Date:

Facility Representative:

By:

Date:

What a Pet Boarding Agreement Covers

A Pet Boarding Agreement is a written contract between a pet owner and a boarding facility that documents services, dates, fees, medical requirements, and authorizations for care. It assigns responsibilities for feeding, exercise, medication, emergency veterinary treatment, and liability allocation. When executed electronically, the agreement is enforceable in the United States under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and applicable state UETA laws, provided the signature meets intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Owners and Facilities

A written Pet Boarding Agreement reduces disputes by documenting health status, emergency consent, payment terms, and liability limits in clear language, protecting both the boarding provider and the pet owner.

Who Typically Uses a Pet Boarding Agreement

The agreement is used by facilities and owners to set expectations before care begins.

Boarding facilities and kennels that need documented consent, vaccination proof, and billing terms.
Pet owners who want written confirmation of care instructions, emergency contacts, and costs.
Veterinary clinics and mobile vets acting as emergency contacts or providing onsite care authorization.

Clear roles and signatures ensure fast decisions during emergencies and minimize legal exposure.

Step-by-step: Completing a Pet Boarding Agreement

Follow these core steps to prepare, complete, and execute the agreement accurately before the pet’s arrival.

01

Gather documents: Collect vaccination records, ID, microchip details, and owner contact information.
02

Fill owner details: Enter legal owner name, phone, address, and emergency contacts precisely.
03

Describe services: List boarding dates, feeding, medication, and any special-care instructions.
04

Sign and date: Both owner and facility sign; record signature timestamp and method.

Configuring an online boarding workflow

Typical digital workflows capture pet and owner data, require document attachments, and route signatures to all parties automatically.

Field	Configuration
Owner Contact Field	Email plus SMS code verification for signer authentication.
Vaccination Upload	Require PDF or JPG upload; auto-validate size and type.
Emergency Release Checkbox	Conditional field revealed if medical authorization is selected.
Signature Field	Enable typed, drawn, or cryptographic signature with audit trail.

Digital signing and technical needs

Choose a platform that supports secure PDF, audit trails, and optional stronger signer authentication.

File types: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Connects to Google Drive, Box, NetSuite
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA options

Ensure the platform complies with ESIGN/UETA and retains a tamper-evident audit trail for legal defensibility.

Comparing eSignature vendors for boarding agreements

Choose a plan that matches volume and security needs; signNow is listed first for direct product comparison across common feature criteria.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Essential clauses to include in the agreement

A professional Pet Boarding Agreement includes identity, services, health requirements, emergency care authorizations, pricing, and dispute-resolution provisions.

Parties

Identify the owner and boarding provider by legal name, address, and contact information, clarifying which entity is contractually responsible.

Services & Rates

Describe included services (boarding, walks, medication) and list fees, late pickup charges, and the method and timing of payment.

Health & Vaccination

Require specific vaccines with dates, and state the facility’s right to refuse intake without valid documentation.

Emergency Care Authorization

Specify monetary cap and authorization process for veterinary care; name preferred vet and outline who can approve treatment.

Liability & Indemnity

Set limits on liability for illness or escape, and include indemnification obligations and insurance expectations.

Cancellations & Refunds

State cancellation notice periods, refund eligibility, no-show fees, and conditions for partial refunds.

Core data points to collect

Owner name: Full legal name

Owner contact: Phone and email

Pet ID: Microchip or tattoo

Vaccine proof: Dates and types

Emergency contact: Alternate phone

Payment method: Card or prepayment

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the agreement

Using vague emergency authorization language that fails to specify monetary limits and approval process.
Accepting unsigned or partially completed agreements at drop-off and collecting signatures later without audit trail.
Not verifying vaccination documents or accepting expired vaccine records for intake.
Failing to record pickup/drop-off times, which can cause disputes over additional charges.

Potential risks and legal consequences

Liability exposure: Civil claims for injury or death

Insurance denial: Claims denied for missing documentation

Regulatory fines: Local health or licensing penalties

Reputational harm: Negative public incidents

Contract disputes: Costly litigation or arbitration

Recordkeeping gaps: Evidence loss for defense

Time-sensitive items and typical deadlines

Track these dates to ensure acceptance, billing accuracy, and compliance with facility policies.

Vaccination proof deadline:

Provide valid vaccine records at or before drop-off to avoid refusal.

Drop-off and pick-up times:

Adhere to scheduled times to prevent late pickup fees and scheduling conflicts.

Cancellation notice:

Submit cancellations at least 48 hours before service to reduce or avoid fees.

Payment due:

Pay at pickup or per agreed prepayment terms to prevent collections.

Medical authorization action:

Authorize emergency vet care within owner-stated monetary limits immediately.

How electronic execution typically works

Online signing provides a timestamped record and can speed intake; follow a standard signing flow for consistency.

Upload document: Facility uploads the agreement to the eSignature tool.
Place fields: Add signature, date, and required attachment fields.
Send to signer: Owner receives email or SMS link to review and sign.
Store signed copy: Signed PDF with audit trail is retained for records.

Best practices for accurate, defensible agreements

Adopt consistent procedures to reduce disputes, streamline intake, and preserve evidence of consent and disclosure.

Require up-to-date vaccination records

Request scanned vaccine proof at booking and again at drop-off; verify dates and vaccine types to reduce illness risk and support insurance claims if incidents occur.

Specify emergency medical limits

Set a clear monetary cap for emergency treatment and name an approved veterinarian; document who is authorized to consent if the owner cannot be reached.

Use precise fee language

List exact service rates, late pickup fees, and refund conditions; avoid vague terms and document how additional costs will be charged and collected.

Retain signed records securely

Store executed agreements with an immutable audit trail and backup copies; maintain retention schedules that align with insurance and regulatory requirements.

Common questions about Pet Boarding Agreements

Answers to frequent questions address signature validity, vaccine requirements, emergency authority, and recordkeeping best practices.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA laws, electronic signatures that show intent, consent, attribution, and retention are legally enforceable for private contracts.
What if vaccination proof is missing?
Facilities can refuse intake or require onsite vaccination if permitted by local law; clearly state refusal and rebooking policies in the agreement to avoid disputes.
Can a third party authorize vet care?
Only if the owner signs an explicit emergency authorization naming the third party and a monetary limit, or if local law provides substitute decision rules.
When should I get a notarized agreement?
Notarization is rarely required for boarding contracts. Consider notarization if you need added authentication for high-value services or where state law suggests it.
How long must I keep signed agreements?
Retain agreements for at least three years after service; longer retention may apply for health-related records (6 years under HIPAA) or per insurer requirements.
What if the owner disputes charges?
Use the signed agreement, timestamped delivery, and audit trail as primary evidence; follow dispute provisions and consider mediation or small-claims procedures if unresolved.

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