Pet Sitting Agreement Dog & Cat 2026/2027 – Dog Sitter, Cat Sitter, Supervision & Excel | Word/PDF

Pet sitting agreement for dogs and cats – template in Word, PDF, and Excel

Arrange pet sitting, dog walking, or cat sitting with a written agreement that makes it easier to document what the owner and the pet sitter have actually agreed upon. Our pet sitting agreement template includes an editable agreement, instructions for feeding and supervision, a handover protocol, veterinarian and emergency contacts, an incident and cost record, and an Excel register.

For whom? Dog owners, cat owners, private pet sitters, and relatives who need clear documentation for a temporary sitting period. The material is primarily intended for private and occasional arrangements, such as holidays, weekends, or evening sittings – not as ready-made regulatory documentation for a professional dog daycare or cat boarding kennel.

Delivery: A ZIP package with 15 files: 7 DOCX, 7 corresponding searchable A4 PDF files, and 1 XLSX. Five Swedish main templates, a Swedish user guide, and a separate English User Guide. No physical shipping, no subscription.

How to use a pet sitting agreement – step by step

1. Choose setup: Describe whether it concerns private occasional dog or cat sitting or an activity that requires special regulatory control.
2. Identify animals and parties: Specify animal owner, pet sitter, species, animal’s name, and relevant markings.
3. Determine period: Fill in start and end time, as well as where the animal will be staying and who is picking up/dropping off.
4. Document routines: Specify times, food, water, dog walking, litter box, supervision, and resting place.
5. Examine safety: Note special needs, interaction with other animals, possible restrictions, and risks during transport.
6. Check veterinarian contact: Fill in clinic, emergency, backup person, and practical conditions for necessary care.
7. Verify insurance: Check relevant animal, home, and liability insurance directly with the insurers.
8. Agree on costs: Note non-paid or paid sitting, cancellation, receipts, actual expenses, and payment terms.
9. Sign the correct documents: Use the main agreement and appropriate appendices – without assuming that a signature replaces legal requirements.
10. Follow up and close: Note actually performed supervision in Excel and document handover, keys, and any deviations.

Legal and practical limitations

Animal welfare, supervision, and veterinary care

According to the Animal Welfare Act (2018:1192), anyone keeping or taking care of animals must, among other things, ensure that the animal receives a good environment, sufficient supervision, feed, water, and, in the event of injury or illness, prompt necessary care. For dogs, the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) provides guidance on daily activity and walking: dogs should be walked at least every six hours during the day; puppies and older dogs may need it more often. Always adapt to the animal and the actual situation.

Private sitting or kennel?

There is a difference between helping an acquaintance with dog sitting and running professional dog or cat sitting. Businesses with dog daycare, boarding kennels, and other commercial animal keeping may be subject to special rules, permits, and requirements for facility registration. Check the actual scope of the business with the County Administrative Board or the Swedish Board of Agriculture before using the template in a business context.

Contractual liability, insurance, and damages

The agreement helps the parties to express agreed obligations but does not automatically create full immunity from liability. Check what is actually covered by respective animal and liability insurance, especially in the event of damage to the animal, other property, or third parties. In case of urgent need for veterinary care, care must be arranged without waiting for a complete financial settlement.

Personal data in the Excel register

Do not collect more contact information than necessary. Limit access and storage according to applicable data protection principles. The IMY (Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection) guidance on data protection provides support when assessing when GDPR is applicable.

Other documents at Mallbutiken

If the arrangement instead concerns buying or selling a dog, see Dog Purchase Agreement 2026/2027 or Down Payment Agreement for Dogs. For more document types within the same topic, see Dog Agreements & Dog Purchases – Templates. These are separate products and are not included in the delivery.

Frequently asked questions about pet sitting agreements

Do I need an agreement when a friend is pet sitting?

There is normally no specific general written requirement for an occasional private dog sitting, but a written agreement reduces the risk of misunderstandings regarding time, keys, care, compensation, and emergency contacts.

Can the template be used for cat sitting?

Yes, the main template has fields for dog or cat. Adapt the care appendix according to the cat's needs, including safe stay, supervision, feed, water, and litter box.

Is the pet sitter allowed to decide on veterinary care?

The situation depends on the circumstances. The appendix helps the parties to describe contact routes and instructions, but it is not an unlimited power of attorney and does not replace the veterinarian's medical assessment. Necessary care must not be delayed.

What applies if the dog destroys something?

The assessment of damage and liability may depend on the actual event, relevant rules, and insurance terms. The agreement does not contain any automatic guarantee that either the owner or the sitter will compensate for everything.

Can a dog sitter leave the dog alone all day?

No, the actual supervision and walking must be adapted to the dog's needs and regulatory rules. The Swedish Board of Agriculture states that a dog should be walked at least every six hours during the day and more often for certain individual needs.

Can a boarding kennel use the same agreement?

Separate commercial terms, mandatory permits, regulatory requirements, and facility adjustments may be needed. This package is primarily made for private and temporary sitting.

Is the main agreement in English?

No. Five Swedish main templates are included as well as a Swedish user guide and an English User Guide that explains the usage.

Are the documents approved by a government agency or lawyer?

No. The editorial work is based on regulatory and legal sources; no external legal review, insurance company vetting, or certification is claimed. The agreement needs to be adapted to the actual situation.

Legal sources, method, and version

Editorial source review: October 15, 2026. Version: 1.0 (2026/2027). The year 2027 is the document package's version designation and does not imply that future legislative changes are known.

• Animal Welfare Act (2018:1192)
• Swedish Board of Agriculture – care of dogs
• Swedish Board of Agriculture – registration and activities
• IMY – basic principles