Life with pets
Write a pet-sitter handoff from your routine
A handoff removes guesswork for the sitter and protects your pet. Write down your actual routine, the food amounts from the bag or your vet's instructions, and who to call if something goes wrong.
A text to start with
Write a pet-sitter handoff for my cat, Miso. She gets [amount from the bag or my vet's instructions] of dry food at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. She hides when nervous, so [describe where she hides and how to keep her from slipping out the door]. Vet is [Clinic Name] at [phone number]. I authorize emergency care up to [amount you decide] without reaching me first. I'm reachable at [your number].
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check in the handoff
Confirm every food amount matches what your vet prescribed or what the packaging states, not a number the assistant filled in. Read the emergency consent line closely. It has real consequences, so the wording should be yours. Make sure the vet contact and your own number are current. If your pet takes medication, copy the dosage exactly as labeled and ask your vet to confirm it in writing before you hand it off.
Getting it to the sitter
Print or text the finished handoff and go through it with the sitter before you leave. Show them where the food, medications and carrier are kept. If something changes at the last minute, send a short written update so the sitter doesn't have to remember a verbal correction.