Use this free printable pet sitter instructions template that can be given to any pet sitter who will be taking care of your fur baby. This self-explanatory pet sitter printable has all you and your caregiver need. Relax more, worry less.
Are you leaving your pet with a pet sitter while you’re traveling? A printable pet sitter instructions template is exactly what you need to make sure your pet caregiver knows what your furry friend needs.
This printable with pet sitter instructions will help everything run smoothly and give you the peace of mind you want while you’re out of town!
Why You Need Pet Instructions
There are a few reasons you’ll want to leave pet instructions for your sitter. Knowing what instructions to leave for the pet sitter is important. This includes things like feeding, walking, and medication schedules.
Daily Routine
One is so that your pet can continue their daily routine as much as possible while you’re away. This will help minimize any anxiety or stress they may feel from your absence. This will medicine, food, and walks.
To Help Your Pet
Another reason is so that you can be sure that your pet is being taken care of exactly the way you want them to be. Be specific about your fur baby’s likes, ticks, allergies, bad habits and more.
You Can Worry Less
By providing specific instructions, you can relax knowing that your pet is in good hands and being well taken care of. This gives you a time to have your voice written down as well as important information like veterinarian’s information, what to do in the unlikely event of illness, and details about your pet behavior. Get your thoughts across with a self-explanatory pet sitter printable. Add anything missing on a separate page or with a post it note.
How much is a pet sitter?
Before you hire a pet sitter, it’s important to know what’s a head. Many budget for travel but forget that sometimes the cost of the entire trip is at home – with your pet and pet sitter.
Pet sitter rates will vary greatly depending on your pets needs, the age/skillset of the animal sitter, the the frequency of visits to the home. The cost of a pet sitter can be as low as $0 to $100 for a day/night. That’s a huge discrepancies especially when you are gone for more than many days. A few questions to ask a homeowner…
- Can you you trade services with a friend?
- Are you comfortable hiring a local teenager?
- Do you need a qualified independent contractor to stay the night or entire duration of your trip?
Consider these guidelines a price estimate when budgeting for a pet sitter. They are ordered from least expensive to most expensive.
Neighbor or Friend
If you are able to trade pet sitting services with a neighbor or friend? If you can trade pet sitting services, this might benefit bot you and a friend. In this case, you might get away with getting a pet sitter for free. Consider bringing back a nice gift from your travels or paying for house keeping services after you pick up your pet from their home.
Teenager
Ask the teenage kids of neighbors. You can often hire a teenager for minimum wage. There is no need for transportation and they can easily access your house multiple times a day. Teens are always looking for extra income and you also know their parent is available in a “worst-case scenario” type situation. If you don’t know the teens in your neighborhood, try a community forum like Nextdoor.com.
College Student
Trusted college kids are excellent for house sitting and pet sitting. To get out of the dorm for the weekend might be a weekend reprieve and not only are they helping with the pet, they can also look over the house. Plus they often come with a mode of transportation.
Veterinary Office
A vet office is a safe place to leave your pet. In addition to having a warm bed and roof over their head, you can feel comfortable knowing that your pet also has a pet doctor on hand in the event of any personal emergency or mishap. While this is a very safe route for pet sitting, your cat/dog will not have the comfort of their own home and exercise will be minimal as they will be in a vet’s office kennel/cage.
Pet Caregivers & Services
The most expensive route will be hiring a pet sitter service. In this scenario a qualified person often comes with a background check, screenings so home owners can feel comfortable with a stranger in your home. There often is a pet sitting contract so you know your rights when hiring a pet sitter or dog walker. You can find such services by searching pet sitting services near me or visit Care.com for help in your local area.
What do you put on pet sitting instructions?
In order to make it easy, have have included everything you need to put on Pet Instructions.
When writing your pet sitter instructions checklist be sure to include the following:
- Your pet’s name, age, and breed
- A photo of your pet
- Your contact information
- An emergency contact
- Your pet’s vet information
- Feeding instructions and schedules
- Walking and exercise routines
- Playtime and toys
- Bathroom routines
- Any special needs or medical conditions
- Medication schedules and instructions
These pet sitter instructions will help make sure that your pet is happy and healthy while you’re away! This printable is like you’re making your own pet sitter instructions booklet.
How to Prep Your Home For a Dog Sitter
Leaving your dog with a sitter can be stressful, but there are some things you can do to prepare your home (and your dog) for their arrival.
- Pick up any toys, bones, or other items that your dog may chew on or swallow.
- Put away any food or garbage that might tempt your dog to rummage through the trash.
- Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep, like their crate or bed.
- Leave out food and water bowls, as well as any food or treats your dog will need.
- Give your dog a good walk before the sitter arrives so they can go to the bathroom.
- Show the sitter where everything is and go over any instructions or routines.
Free Printable Pet Sitter Checklist
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Where to Leave the Pet Sitter Instructions
Now that you know what to include in your pet instructions, it’s time to decide where to leave them.
- Some people like to leave them on front of the fridge so that they’re easy to find.
- Others will put them in a binder or folder with all of the other information the sitter will need, like keys and contact information. You can leave them in a pet care binder or your busy mom binder home organizer!
- You could also send them electronically via email or text.
No matter where you leave them, just be sure that the sitter knows where to find them!
These pet sitter instructions printable can help make sure your pet is taken care of exactly the way you want them to be! Just fill it out and leave it for your sitter, and you can relax knowing that your pet is in good hands.
What instructions do you leave for the sitter?
More Pet Ideas
We know you love your pet! Also take a look at these fun pet ideas.
Looking for more dog hacks and tips for you or your dog walker? Enjoy these fun ideas for man’s woman’s best friend! Pin to Pinterest.
Celebrate your fur baby. Whether it’s your child with two legs or your precious cat with four paws, look at these Purr-fect Cat Party Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.
Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your experiences with pet sitters and this printable dog sitter instructions template. Leave a comment here or on Pinterest!
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Themed Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, New Year, Valentine’s Day, Easter & more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next party.
