Is an electronic signature valid under ESIGN?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied. Exceptions include wills, certain court filings, and some family-law or real estate notices.

Do I need notarization for this agreement?

Not usually. Pet care contracts typically do not require notarization to be enforceable; however, notarization or witnesses may be recommended for added evidentiary weight or when state law, landlord requirements, or property access releases suggest it.

Can I authorize emergency veterinary care in advance?

Yes. Include explicit veterinary authorization with clinic name, contact information, and a stated monetary limit for emergency treatment without owner approval; this avoids delays and clarifies payment responsibility in urgent situations.

How long should I keep executed agreements?

Retain executed agreements at least three years after termination for general records and tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); retain six years for health-related records if HIPAA applies (45 CFR §164.530(j)). State laws may require longer retention.

What if names or dates are entered incorrectly?

Errors in names or dates can impair enforceability and complicate insurance or reimbursement claims. Correct via a signed amendment or initialed correction by all parties; if in doubt, re-sign a corrected version to ensure clear attribution and avoid disputes.

Are remote online notarizations accepted for signatures?

Many states permit Remote Online Notarization (RON), but requirements vary. RON typically requires identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention of the session. Verify your state notary commission rules before relying on RON for notarized sections of the agreement.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Pet Care Policy Agreement

Pet Care Policy Agreement

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

PET CARE POLICY AGREEMENT

This Pet Care Policy Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into between the parties identified below and is effective as of the date of the last signature provided herein.

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Owner Name: and Provider Name: desire to set forth the terms under which Provider will provide pet care services; and

WHEREAS, Owner represents that Owner is the lawful owner or authorized custodian of the pet(s) described below and has authority to enter into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Provider agrees to perform the services described in this Agreement in accordance with the terms, conditions, and policies set forth below.

PARTIES AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Owner Contact Provider Contact

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Provider shall perform pet care services as selected below and as further described in the service description. Provider will use reasonable care and professional skill customary to the pet care industry in performing such services.

Select Services (check all that apply)

Feeding & meal preparation
Dog walking / exercise
Basic grooming/brush
Medication administration
Overnight care / boarding
Transportation to/from appointments

Service Description

PET INFORMATION

Vaccination / Health Notes

PAYMENT TERMS

Owner agrees to pay Provider the fees described below. Fees are non-refundable except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

Fee Amount Payment Schedule Late Payment Fee

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on Start Date: and ends on End Date: unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience by providing written notice at least days prior to termination. Provider may terminate immediately for an animal safety concern or material breach by Owner.

Upon termination Owner shall pay for services rendered through the termination date and shall reimburse Provider for any reasonable costs incurred in returning the pet or securing care if Owner is unavailable.

EMERGENCY CARE AUTHORIZATION

Owner authorizes Provider to seek veterinary care for the pet in the event of illness or injury if Owner cannot be reached. Provider will attempt to contact Owner and Owner Emergency Contact before authorizing non-routine treatment, but in circumstances where immediate care is required, Provider may authorize treatment up to the emergency spending limit set below.

Owner Emergency Contact Emergency Spending Limit Preferred Veterinarian

HEALTH, VACCINATION, AND BEHAVIORAL REPRESENTATIONS

Owner represents and warrants that the pet is currently in good health, has received all required vaccinations, is free of infectious disease, and that Owner has disclosed any aggressive or dangerous behavior. Owner agrees to provide documentation of vaccinations upon request.

Known Health or Behavioral Issues

LIABILITY, INDEMNIFICATION, AND INSURANCE

Owner acknowledges the inherent risks in pet care activities and agrees that Provider shall not be liable for loss, damage, or injury to the pet except to the extent caused by Provider's gross negligence or willful misconduct. Owner shall indemnify and hold Provider harmless from claims arising from Owner's breach of representations or from the pet's behavior.

Provider represents that Provider maintains general liability insurance as required by Provider's business operations, but Owner is encouraged to maintain current pet insurance for medical coverage.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations must be provided at least days prior to a scheduled service. Cancellations with less than the required notice may incur a cancellation fee of .

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party agrees to maintain the confidentiality of non-public information obtained in connection with this Agreement and not to disclose such information to third parties except as required by law or to perform the obligations of this Agreement. Confidential information includes medical records, emergency contacts, and access arrangements.

GOVERNING LAW; ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state or jurisdiction where the services are performed. Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in that jurisdiction.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Owner and Provider relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior negotiations and understandings. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Notices required under this Agreement shall be sent to the contact information provided above.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AUTHORIZATION

By signing below, Owner and Provider acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to be bound by the terms of this Pet Care Policy Agreement.

Owner Name:

Provider Name:

Owner Signature:

Provider Signature:

Owner Date:

Provider Date:

What the Pet Care Policy Agreement Covers

Pet Care Policy Agreement is a written contract between a pet owner and a caregiver that documents services, responsibilities, and expectations for pet care. It covers scope of care (feeding, exercise, grooming, medication), service schedule, fees and payment terms, emergency procedures including designated veterinary care, liability and indemnity, access to property and key handling, and termination or cancellation rules. The agreement clarifies communication plans, special needs or behavior notes, and any legal protections for both parties to reduce disputes and ensure consistent care.

Why a written pet care policy matters

Documenting expectations reduces misunderstandings, protects both owner and caregiver, and creates clear procedures for emergencies, payment, and property access. A written agreement helps manage liability, supports consistent pet care, and provides a reference for resolving disputes or scheduling changes.

Who typically uses this agreement

Pet owners, professional pet sitters, boarding facilities, and animal welfare organizations commonly use this agreement to set expectations and responsibilities.

Pet owners establish care instructions, emergency contacts, and payment terms.
Professional sitters use it to document scope, fees, and access arrangements.
Facilities and rescues track vaccinations, special needs, and liability acknowledgments.

Use the agreement when arranging recurring services, one-time care, or boarding to ensure clarity and legal standing for both parties.

Core clauses to include in your Pet Care Policy Agreement

Essential clauses create predictable care, define risk allocation, and set financial and logistical terms to protect both caregiver and owner.

Services

Specify tasks (feeding, walking, grooming, administration of medications), daily schedule, frequency, duration of visits, and any limits on activities such as off-leash time or third-party outings.

Fees

Detail base rate, additional fees for overtime or holiday service, payment schedule, accepted methods, late payment penalties, and procedures for deposits or refunds to avoid disputes.

Medical Care

List vaccinations, allergies, chronic conditions, prescribed medications with dosages, owner consent for treatments, and designated veterinary provider contact information for emergent or non-routine care and instructions.

Emergency Protocol

Specify who to contact, authorization limits for veterinary care, maximum emergency spend allowed without owner approval, transport arrangements, and notification timing for incidents and reporting.

Access & Keys

Describe property access permissions, key handling procedures, alarm and code instructions, acceptable times for entry, and returns or duplication policy for owner keys safekeeping protocols.

Liability

Define insurance requirements, damage and injury responsibility, indemnification clauses, limitation of liability, and steps for documenting incidents including photos and witness statements and notification deadlines.

Step-by-step completion and execution

Follow these steps to complete and formalize the Pet Care Policy Agreement efficiently using electronic or paper workflows.

01

Prepare: Gather pet details, vaccination records, and emergency contacts.
02

Draft: Specify services, schedule, and fees in clear terms.
03

Review: Confirm medical instructions and owner consents.
04

Sign: Obtain dated signatures from all parties.

Configure your online signing workflow

Configure online workflow for digital completion, conditional fields, and secure delivery to speed execution and recordkeeping.

Form Field Configuration Table Guide	How to set the field behavior
Signer signature field behavior settings	Require typed or drawn signature; set required flag
Conditional service and fee fields	Show medication fields only if medications required
Date and scheduling fields format	Use MM/DD/YYYY; set default and validation rules
Notifications and signer authentication	Enable email and SMS alerts; choose SMS code or email link

Typical routing for electronic completion

Typical routing: prepare the agreement, send for signature, complete payments, and store copies for records.

Upload: Attach the completed template file ready for fields.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, initials, and conditional fields.
Send: Enter signer emails and delivery order if required.
Archive: Save executed copies as PDF and keep audit trail.

Platform features to support secure e-signing

Digital completion and secure routing require platform features that support signatures, authentication, storage, and compliance.

Signing types: Support typed, drawn, or digital signatures.
Authentication options: Email, SMS code, or two-factor available.
File formats: Accept PDF and DOCX for audit-ready exports.

Security and compliance considerations

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

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, WCAG 2.0.

Privacy Laws: GDPR and CCPA controls available.

Healthcare: HIPAA compliant; BAA required.

Legal Frameworks: ESIGN and UETA compliant for U.S. transactions.

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps, IP, and action history.

Consequences of incomplete or incorrect agreements

Unpaid Fees: Legal collection actions possible.

Unauthorized Care: Breach of contract, liability exposure.

Emergency Costs: Owner may face large vet bills.

Insurance Gaps: Caregiver uninsured for damage.

Data Privacy: Medical or contact data mishandled.

Tax Reporting: Improper payments affect deductions.

Common preparation errors to avoid

Vague service descriptions that omit medication instructions or exercise needs often lead to disputes and emergency misunderstandings; specify frequency, dosages, and handling expectations in clear, measurable terms.
Missing emergency authorization or incomplete veterinary contact details delay treatment; include a signed authorization with spending limit and alternate contacts to prevent treatment refusal.
Not documenting key access, alarm codes, or explicit property permission can cause homeowner disputes and liability issues; record handling and return policy.
Failing to update vaccination or behavior records creates risk for sitters and facilities; verify records at booking and attach copies to the agreement.

Practical measures that reduce risk and disputes

Adopt these practices to reduce disputes, improve pet welfare, and maintain clear legal protections for all parties.

Use clear service definitions and emergency authorizations

Write explicit steps for medication administration including dosage, timing, and storage. Include emergency authorization with a stated maximum expense without prior owner approval, and provide written consent for transport to the named veterinary facility.

Attach vaccination records plus behavior and medical notes

Include scanned or photocopied vaccination certificates, microchip numbers, and written behavior descriptions. Note triggers, leashing requirements, and any aggression history. Keep these records attached to the signed agreement and accessible to the caregiver for reference.

Document access procedures for property and keys

Specify where keys are stored, who may access the property, alarm codes, and the process for returning or replacing keys. Consider digital lock codes or key safes and include instructions for secure delivery and proof of return.

Agree on cancellation, postponement, and refund policies

Set clear notice periods, refund calculations, and handling for no-shows. Define policies for illness, weather, and emergencies where services must be rescheduled. Document deposit forfeiture conditions and how fees will be prorated.

Two practical examples

Two real-world scenarios show how a Pet Care Policy Agreement prevents misunderstandings and clarifies responsibilities.

House Sitting Agreement

A homeowner hired a sitter for two-week house and pet sitting during travel, including medication administration and daily walks.

Sitter required written veterinary authorization for emergencies.
The written agreement specified medication dosing, emergency vet authorization with a $250 spending cap, and key handling instructions; when a sudden illness required treatment, the sitter acted under the documented consent and costs were reimbursed per agreement.

Boarding Facility Addendum

A small boarding facility required an addendum to its standard contract to cover extended stays and behavior monitoring for a reactive dog.

Addendum required aggression notification and monitoring.
Including specific monitoring schedules, staff-to-dog ratios, and incident reporting procedures reduced liability disputes after an altercation; insurance claims were processed smoothly because the addendum designated responsibilities and documented required staffing levels during higher-risk stays.

Key dates and response windows to define

Key timing expectations and response windows to include in the agreement help manage scheduling and emergency response.

Agreement Service Start Date and Time:

Effective date when care responsibilities begin.

Cancellation Notice Period for Refunds:

Specify required days' notice for full refund or partial refund.

Emergency Response Time and Notification:

Define expected caregiver response time and owner notification.

Payment Due Date and Late Fee Start:

State when payment is due and late fee start date.

Record Retention Period for Agreements:

How long executed agreements and medical records are retained.

eSignature plan comparison for Pet Care Policy Agreement workflows

Compare common eSignature plan features and starting prices to support digital completion of Pet Care Policy Agreement workflows.

	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 trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently asked questions about Pet Care Policy Agreements

Frequently asked questions address validity, signatures, cancellations, medical authorizations, and recordkeeping for Pet Care Policy Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid under ESIGN?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied. Exceptions include wills, certain court filings, and some family-law or real estate notices.
Do I need notarization for this agreement?
Not usually. Pet care contracts typically do not require notarization to be enforceable; however, notarization or witnesses may be recommended for added evidentiary weight or when state law, landlord requirements, or property access releases suggest it.
Can I authorize emergency veterinary care in advance?
Yes. Include explicit veterinary authorization with clinic name, contact information, and a stated monetary limit for emergency treatment without owner approval; this avoids delays and clarifies payment responsibility in urgent situations.
How long should I keep executed agreements?
Retain executed agreements at least three years after termination for general records and tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); retain six years for health-related records if HIPAA applies (45 CFR §164.530(j)). State laws may require longer retention.
What if names or dates are entered incorrectly?
Errors in names or dates can impair enforceability and complicate insurance or reimbursement claims. Correct via a signed amendment or initialed correction by all parties; if in doubt, re-sign a corrected version to ensure clear attribution and avoid disputes.
Are remote online notarizations accepted for signatures?
Many states permit Remote Online Notarization (RON), but requirements vary. RON typically requires identity proofing, audio-video recording, and retention of the session. Verify your state notary commission rules before relying on RON for notarized sections of the agreement.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now