Emergency Plan for Pet Sitters: Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Going out of town for a wedding? Vacation? Business trip? You’ll probably hire a pet sitter or ask a friend to watch your fur baby. But have you ever thought about what would happen if your pet had an emergency while you were away?

Where are your pet’s medical records? Which vet should they go to? How will the bill be covered? If you don’t have these answers ready, it’s time to create an emergency plan.

Emergencies can happen anytime—and when they do, you don’t want to scramble for information. With a well-prepared plan, you can make sure your pet sitter has everything they need to act quickly and confidently.

Why You Need an Emergency Plan

Imagine you’re out of town, enjoying a getaway, when you get an unexpected call from your pet sitter. Your dog isn’t eating. Your cat seems lethargic. Worse yet, your pet has run off or been injured.

Without an emergency plan in place, you’ll waste precious time searching for records, calling your vet, and figuring out payments—when every second counts. A clear, organized plan ensures your pet gets the immediate care they need.

Because Spoiled Pets aren’t just animals—they’re family. And family deserves a plan.

🚨 Potential Pet Emergencies to Prepare For:

• Illness (vomiting, lethargy, not eating)

• Choking or difficulty breathing

• Minor injuries (cuts, bruises)

• Poisoning (toxic plants or substances)

• Getting lost

• Medical emergencies requiring vet attention

• In rare cases, unexpected death
  

Your sitter may already be emotional—especially if they’re close to your pet. Having a guide in place gives them clarity when they need it most.

How to Create an Emergency Folder for Your Pet Sitter

Putting together a comprehensive folder gives your sitter everything they need in one place. Include:

📋 Medical Records:

• Vaccination records

• Known allergies or medical conditions

• Medications and dosage instructions

• Microchip ID number (if applicable)
  

🏥 Veterinary Information:

• Primary vet’s name, address, and phone number

• After-hours emergency clinic info

• Preferred veterinarian (if any)
  

🧠 Behavioral Notes:

• Anxieties or quirks (e.g., afraid of thunderstorms)

• Interactions with other animals/people

• Notes on normal vs. abnormal behavior
  

📞 Emergency Contacts:

• Your contact info (phone + email)

• A trusted backup contact (neighbor or family)

• Make sure they know they're listed.

💳 Payment Information:

• How bills will be paid (Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, card on file)

• Leave cash in the folder if preferred

• Set a spending limit (e.g., “Okay to spend up to $1,000 without approval”)
  

🚫 Pet Care Rules:

• Any restrictions (e.g., “No dog parks”)

• Diet rules (e.g., “No table scraps”)

• Medication routines
  

📲 Sitter’s Info & Travel Details:

• Sitter’s contact info

• Your travel location + time zone

• Times you’ll be unreachable (flights, events, etc.)
  

💡 Pro Tip: Upload these documents to a Google Drive or Dropbox folder for easy sharing.

Introduce the Sitter Before You Leave

Don’t wait until you’re walking out the door. Schedule a meet-and-greet to:

• Review your pet’s daily routine and essentials

• Let your pet bond with the sitter

• Demonstrate special care tasks

• Walk through the emergency folder

• Confirm contact info
  

Prepare for the Unexpected—Even If It Never Happens

Owning a pet is a lot like raising a child—you hope for the best but need to prepare for the worst.

Taking the time to create an emergency plan ensures your sitter knows exactly what to do. It gives you peace of mind—and more importantly, keeps your pet safe.

Save this guide. Print it. Share it. Because your Spoiled Pet deserves that level of care.