Pet-care handover checklist for family and sitters
A reliable pet-care handover bridges the gap between owner and caregiver. It outlines what is normal, what is due, what has already occurred, and who to contact in a crisis. Keeping standing instructions distinct from changing daily status ensures your pet receives uninterrupted care while you are away.
Separate standing instructions from today’s status
A frequent breakdown during pet sitting is confusing static instructions with current operational status. Core reference facts—such as food brand, exact gram portions, microchip number, emergency clinic address, and household security codes—rarely change.
In contrast, today’s last meal, medication administration, afternoon walk, or unusual loose stool change continuously. If caregivers rely on notes scribbled on kitchen paper or scattered text messages, old information is easily mistaken for current status.
Keep standing reference facts stored securely in the app’s pet file, and use the dynamic live checklist for daily execution. This ensures temporary sitters see only what is currently open for today.
Durable reference layer: microchip ID, vaccination records, vet contacts, and dietary allergies
Dynamic operational layer: completed meals, medication timestamps, and walk tracking
No confusion: eliminates questioning whether a written note applies to today or yesterday
Unambiguous emergency protocols and medical thresholds
Emergencies demand immediate action, not hesitant text exchanges. When an animal shows acute distress, a pet sitter should never lose precious minutes wondering whether they have permission to seek clinical care or which hospital to visit.
Every handover must establish unambiguous decision thresholds, pre-authorized financial limits with your regular veterinary clinic, and direct emergency transport instructions before you depart.
Emergency contacts: phone numbers for owner, alternate local emergency contact, regular vet, and 24/7 hospital
Pre-authorized vet consent: notify your vet clinic in advance that a sitter has authority to approve emergency treatment
Clear red flags: unproductive retching (GDV bloat), urinary blockage in male cats, sudden collapse, or seizures
Transport preparedness: carrier location for cats; spare slip lead and car harness accessible for dogs
Behavioral baselines, fear triggers, and comfort routines
Even the friendliest pet may experience stress or displacement anxiety when owners leave. Caregivers must understand your pet’s behavioral baseline to differentiate normal adjustment from distress.
Document known triggers (e.g., fear of thunderstorms, resource guarding near the food bowl, or reactivity to unfamiliar dogs on leash). Provide precise safety guidelines regarding walk equipment (e.g., martingale collar or secure Y-harness; never unclip the leash in unfenced public spaces). Detail comfort routines: preferred resting areas, favorite soothing chew toys, and bedtime rituals that provide security.
Frictionless logging via shared household invite
Rather than requiring sitters to download complex software or decipher hand-written notes, DidWeFeed allows sitters to join your household in seconds via a six-digit invite code or QR code scan.
Temporary caregivers see the exact tasks scheduled for each pet, can mark feedings or walks done with one tap, and can upload photo notes or stool updates directly to the household timeline. Owners traveling in different time zones can glance at the app and see that breakfast was confirmed at 7:30 AM without sending anxious check-in messages.
Printable handover
Printable checklist
Emergency contacts: primary owner, local emergency proxy, veterinarian, and 24/7 clinic
Veterinary treatment consent: vet clinic informed and payment authorization on file
Home access & security: keys, alarm codes, garage door remotes, and forbidden rooms
Nutrition: exact gram food portions, feeding times, treat rules, and toxic food list
Medication: drug name, exact dose, administration interval, storage, and refill bottle count
Walk safety: secure Y-harness/leash, recall cues, route boundaries, and dog-reactivity triggers
Bathroom & litter: normal elimination frequency, stool baseline (Score 2–3), and litter care
Comfort baseline: normal sleeping spots, safe chew toys, hiding places, and stress signals
Daily updates: confirm routines in DidWeFeed and establish clear calling thresholds for questions
Common questions
What is the most critical information to leave with a pet sitter?+
The two non-negotiable priorities are unambiguous emergency clinic contacts (with pre-authorized veterinary treatment consent) and exact, verified medication instructions. After medical safety, clearly separate standing house rules from today’s live task status.
Can our pet sitter use DidWeFeed on their own smartphone without paying?+
Yes. Household sharing is completely free with no member limits. You can invite your pet sitter via a shareable invite link, a six-digit code, or a QR code. They can log meals, walks, and notes immediately without subscription barriers.
Can this handover checklist be printed for our home?+
Yes. Click the "Print this checklist" button on this guide. The print layout formats the complete checklist, veterinary contact fields, and routine instructions onto a clean, paper-ready document.
How should I handle veterinary payment authorization for a sitter?+
Before departing, contact your regular veterinary clinic and provide written authorization permitting your named pet sitter to seek treatment on your pet’s behalf. Most clinics allow you to leave a credit card on file or establish a pre-authorized financial limit for emergency stabilization.