Service Agreements for Dog Walkers, Groomers and Pet Sitters
Pet owners trust you with a family member and often with their house keys. Dog walkers, pet sitters, groomers and boarding businesses protect that trust, and themselves, with a clear service agreement, a veterinary authorization and a record of the pet health and behavior. Codec Document lets clients sign all of it from their phone before the first visit.
Emergencies need decisions that were made in advance
A dog swallows something on a walk. A cat stops eating while the owner is abroad. A nervous dog bites a groomer. In each case, you need to know what the owner authorized, how much they are willing to spend on emergency care and what they told you about the pet behavior. If that information lives in a text thread from months ago, you are making decisions without authority. A signed agreement with a vet authorization makes those decisions clear.
How it helps pet care businesses
Service agreements with clear policies
Services, rates, cancellation window, holiday pricing and key handling, signed before the first visit.
Veterinary authorizations with a limit
The owner authorizes emergency care up to a set amount and names their veterinarian, so you can act quickly.
Behavior and health disclosures
Aggression, allergies, medications and vaccination status, confirmed and signed by the owner.
Grooming consent for matted or senior pets
Consent to shave matted coats or groom elderly pets, with the risks explained, signed before the appointment.
Dog bite liability and written disclosures
Many states impose strict liability on dog owners for bites. California Civil Code § 3342 is a well-known example, although California courts have held that it generally does not protect professionals such as veterinarians and kennel workers who knowingly accept the risk of handling dogs. Because the rules on who bears responsibility vary by state, pet care professionals commonly ask owners to disclose any history of aggression in writing and to sign a service agreement that allocates responsibility. Electronic signatures are valid under the ESIGN Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001.
The midnight vet visit
A pet sitter in Oregon was caring for a senior dog whose owners were on a flight to Europe when the dog collapsed. Her signed agreement included a veterinary authorization up to $1,500 and the name of the family vet. She took the dog to the emergency clinic immediately, showed the signed authorization on her phone, and the dog was treated before the owners had even landed. They thanked her for not waiting for a phone call that could not have happened.
What to have signed before the first visit
- The services, rates, schedule and holiday pricing.
- Vaccination status and the veterinarian contact.
- An emergency veterinary authorization with a spending limit.
- Behavior history, including any bites, fears or reactivity.
- How keys, lockboxes and alarm codes are handled.
- The cancellation policy and the fee for last-minute changes.
Questions people ask about this
Can clients sign before the first visit?
Yes. Send the agreement when they book, and they sign from their phone.
Can I include a vet authorization?
Yes. Include the authorized amount and the veterinarian details in the agreement or as a separate form.
Can I update my rates for the holidays?
Yes. Send an updated agreement or addendum and have clients sign the new terms.
Is it free to start?
Yes. You can start free without a credit card.
Should I ask for proof of vaccination?
Most boarding facilities, daycares and many groomers require current rabies and core vaccines, and some require kennel cough protection. Ask the owner to confirm vaccination status in the signed agreement and to provide the veterinary record. It protects the other animals in your care and gives you a clear policy to point to when turning a pet away.