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Fill in the form to get a contract template and a separate deposit & cancellation policy page — download as PDF or copy as text.
Step 1 of 4: Business info
Not legal advice. This is a general template — laws vary by state, so have a local professional review it before you use it with clients.
This Pet Sitting Service Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between [Sitter name], operating as [Business name] ("Sitter"), and [Client name] ("Client").
Sitter agrees to provide the following service(s) to Client's pet(s): [service description], at a rate of [rate] per visit.
A deposit of 25% of the total booking cost is due within 3 day(s) of booking confirmation, payable via Venmo. The remaining balance is due at or before the start of service.
The deposit secures the reserved time slot and is applied toward the total cost of service.
Client may cancel this booking for a 50% refund of the deposit if notice is given at least 48 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the start time forfeit the full deposit.
In the event of a pet health emergency, Sitter is authorized to seek veterinary care on Client's behalf, up to a cost of [cost cap], without prior verbal authorization if Client cannot be reached.
Preferred veterinarian: [vet name], [vet phone].
Emergency contact (if Sitter cannot reach Client): [contact name], [contact phone].
Client agrees to reimburse Sitter for any authorized veterinary expenses.
Client gives Sitter permission to take photos or videos of the pet(s) during service and to share them on Sitter's social media or marketing materials.
Sitter agrees to provide services with reasonable care. Client acknowledges that pet care carries inherent risk, and agrees that Sitter is not liable for pre-existing medical conditions, accidents beyond Sitter's reasonable control, or acts of nature. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [Your State].
Client signature: ________________________ Date: ________
Sitter signature: ________________________ Date: ________
This policy only works if you actually collect the deposit. Solo Sitter requests it automatically with every booking.
Most independent sitters ask for 20-30% of the total booking value, due a few days after booking confirmation. The deposit exists to protect your calendar, not to fully cover a no-show — if you want a sense of what your services should cost before you set a deposit percentage, the Pet Sitting Rate Calculator can help.
Frame it as standard business practice, not a judgment about the client: "I collect a deposit for all bookings to hold your spot on the calendar — here's the policy." Send the policy in writing before the first booking, not mid-conversation, and treat every client the same way. Clients rarely push back on a deposit that's presented as routine rather than personal.
Is this template legally binding?
It can be, once both parties fill it in and sign — but it's a general template, not legal advice. Laws vary by state, so have a local professional review it before you rely on it with real clients.
How much deposit should I ask for?
Most independent sitters ask for 20-30% of the total booking value. Use the Rate Calculator to sanity-check your rates first, then apply your deposit percentage on top of that.
Which cancellation policy should I pick?
Flexible builds trust with new clients but protects you least; Strict protects your calendar but can feel harsh for a first-time client. Moderate (50% refund before 48h) is a reasonable default for most solo sitters.
Does this tool save what I type?
No — everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere, ever.