Parties
Identify the owner, patient (species and name), and veterinary practice with full legal names and contact details to avoid ambiguity.
A properly completed Veterinary Medical Agreement documents informed consent, allocates financial responsibility, and helps reduce disputes; e-signatures are legally recognized under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted.
The form is used by veterinary clinics, specialist practices, and animal owners to set treatment and billing expectations before care.
It also serves as a record for referrals, insurance claims, and post-treatment follow-up between the practice and owner.
Identify the owner, patient (species and name), and veterinary practice with full legal names and contact details to avoid ambiguity.
Describe authorized treatments, exams, diagnostics, surgeries, and whether emergent care is permitted without further consent.
Include disclosures of common risks, anesthesia consent where applicable, and options the owner declined or requested.
State fees, deposits, payment methods, collection procedures, and whether third-party payment or insurance assignments are accepted.
Document owner instructions for disposition of remains, euthanasia authority, and any required witness or notarization steps.
Specify warranties disclaimed, indemnification terms, and governing law for contract interpretation.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signature Field Placement | Place names and signature blocks on final page |
| Required Initials | Make risk/disclosure sections require initials |
| Conditional Authorization | Show euthanasia clause only if owner selects that option |
| Authentication Method | Use email link or SMS code for owner identity |
Ensure the solution supports secure storage and export formats compatible with your medical records system.
Request signed consent within 24–72 hours for scheduled procedures
Collect required deposit at booking or before surgery
Specify how long emergent authorization remains valid
Upload signed agreement to patient file within 24 hours
Schedule post-procedure review within 7–14 days
An owner signs pre-surgery authorization describing procedures and anesthesia risks
A pet arrives after hours and the owner pre-authorized emergent care in the agreement
| 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 | Limited trial | Limited trial | Limited trial | Limited trial |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Attach estimates, consent addenda, medical history, and prior authorizations to make the agreement a comprehensive patient record.
Export signed agreements as PDF/A for long-term storage; also keep a DOCX template for edits and version control.
Store final signed PDFs in the clinic's EMR and a secure backup location meeting encryption standards.
Notarization is rarely required for routine consent but may be appropriate for euthanasia authorizations where disputes are foreseeable.