A calmer pet-care handoff

What belongs on a pet sitter information sheet?

A sitter should not have to guess where the food is, what “normal” looks like or who to call when something seems wrong. A short, current handoff makes care easier for the sitter and more reassuring for you.

Prepare the notes before the last-minute packing rush. Keep the sheet easy to scan, and share only the personal information the caregiver needs. If you have multiple pets, make each animal’s notes distinct rather than relying on one combined routine.

Start with the everyday routine

Write down meal amounts and timing, walks or litter care, favorite hiding places, comfort cues and anything the sitter should avoid. Explain the normal pattern for your pet so a caregiver can recognize a change without needing to interpret vague labels such as “sometimes anxious.”

Include contacts and access details

List the owner’s preferred contact method, a backup person, the regular veterinary clinic and the nearest emergency clinic. Add address, transport and home-access instructions through a private channel. Tell the sitter what decisions they are authorized to make if you cannot be reached.

Keep health instructions authoritative

If your pet has a medication or care plan, provide the veterinarian’s current written instructions, including timing and what to do if a dose is missed when that information is applicable. Do not rely on an old note or memory for medical details. Ask your veterinary team to clarify anything you are unsure about.

Do a quick handoff together

Walk through the supplies, show where the carrier and cleaning items are stored, and ask the sitter to repeat back the emergency plan. Leave a printed copy if mobile service may be unreliable, and tell them where the latest version lives.

Use the free pet sitter handoff checklist to draft your notes. PawKeep keeps vaccine, medication, visit and care records together on iPhone so the details are easier to find when you need to share them.