This Pet Sitting Contract sets out how I provide in-home pet sitting for you, and what I need from you so your pets are cared for safely and your home stays secure. If anything in writing conflicts, I’ll flag it before the booking starts so we can agree one version and follow it.
What you’re booking
One session is a single booked visit or walk that I complete at your home and the immediate area around it (for walks), following your notes on feeding, water, litter, toilet breaks, harness and lead use, and any medication you’ve booked in. You’re booking a recurring schedule, so the number of sessions comes from the current period or pack on your invoice, and each session happens on the date and time we agree. You provide working keys or entry access, supplies (food, litter, poo bags, medication), and clear written routine notes.
Payment
I invoice at the time of booking. If you book a membership or a term, I invoice at the start of each period, before the sessions in that period take place. Nothing is paid up front beyond the invoice for the booking, pack, or period you’ve chosen.
Every invoice is payable within 7 days of its date. If you want me to add something that changes the price, like extra visits, longer sits, or additional medication tasks, I’ll confirm the change and any extra cost in writing before I do it.
Changes and cancellations
If you need to cancel, skip a visit, or change dates or times, tell me as soon as you can so I can try to adjust the schedule. My cancellation notice window, and any late-cancellation or no-show fee, are set by me and shown on your invoice.
If a session is cancelled late or you’re not available for handover and I can’t complete the visit, it may be treated as a late cancellation or no-show, because I’ve kept the time aside and travelled. If I ever need to cancel a session, I’ll tell you as early as I can and you won’t be charged for the session I cancel.
Using a pack or period
If you’ve bought a pack, block, or membership period, sessions are used as you book them in. Once a session is completed, it counts as used. If you want to change the pattern, like swapping walks for drop-ins, ask first so I can confirm availability and any price difference.
Whether unused sessions carry over, whether a pack expires, and when refunds are available are decisions I set, and I show the rules for your booking on your invoice or booking confirmation. In general, I’m fair about genuine emergencies, but I need the rules in writing so we both know where we stand.
Everyday risks
You’re booking in-home pet sitting and walking because you want practical care while you’re away or at work, and you understand there are ordinary risks in this kind of work. Pets can pull on the lead, slip a collar, refuse food, have an upset stomach, hide, scratch, bite, or react to heat, noise, other animals, people, or changes to routine.
I take sensible care, I follow your instructions, and I won’t take avoidable risks. This clause does not cover anything caused by my carelessness or ignoring your written instructions. It also isn’t a promise that nothing can go wrong, because animals and environments can be unpredictable.
Your pet’s details
You agree your pets are legally kept, and that vaccinations, parasite prevention, and any routine care you rely on are kept up to date for your situation. Before the first session, you tell me anything that affects safe handling, including bites or snapping, escape attempts, fear of strangers, dog reactivity, cat hiding spots, guarding food or toys, and any health issue that changes normal care.
If there’s an emergency and I can’t reach you quickly, you give me permission to take your pet to a vet using the details you’ve provided, and you agree you’re responsible for vet fees and related costs. I’ll contact you as soon as I can and keep you updated.
Keys and home access
Before the first booking, you’ll give me the keys, entry codes, and the exact steps you want followed, including building security rules, parking notes, gate and lift instructions, and anything I need to know about alarms. I only use the access details you provide, and I keep them only for the time I’m working with you. I return keys the way we agree at the end of the booking or when our recurring schedule ends.
If I arrive at the booked time and can’t get in, or I’m stopped by building security because I’m not on the authorised list, I’ll contact you straight away. If I can’t access the home in time to safely complete the session, it may count as a missed visit.
What this is not
In-home pet sitting is practical care and routine cover. It is not veterinary treatment, grooming, training, or behaviour work, and I can’t guarantee results like calm behaviour, no barking, perfect toileting, or normal eating while you’re away. If your pet is unwell, in pain, or showing worrying symptoms, you should contact a vet, and I’ll support that by sharing what I’ve observed during my visit.
If you want help with training or behaviour, I can follow your written handling notes, but you’ll need the right qualified professional for assessment and a plan.
Recurring schedule
Your bookings run as recurring, which means you have an ongoing rhythm of sessions that repeats each billing period. I invoice at the start of each period, before the sessions in that period take place, and invoices are payable within 7 days of their date.
To stop or pause the recurring schedule, you give me notice. The notice period is set by me and confirmed in writing on your invoice or booking confirmation, because it depends on how often you book and what time slots I’m holding for you. I’ll confirm the end date in writing so you know exactly which sessions are included.
Ending the arrangement
Either of us can end this arrangement by giving notice in writing. The notice period is set by me and confirmed in writing for your booking, so it’s unambiguous for both of us. Sessions already booked and paid for will either be delivered as planned during the notice period, or handled as a cancellation, depending on your preference and what I can fit in.
I may stop providing in-home pet sitting immediately if your conduct, or the pet’s behaviour, makes the work unsafe, if I’m asked to do something unlawful, or if I’m repeatedly unable to access the home at the booked times. If this happens, I’ll tell you what I’ve done so far and what still needs cover.
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