Free printable
Pet Care Instructions: Free Printable
By Jason Su · Updated October 9, 2026
This sheet is not written for you. It is written for the person who steps in — a neighbor for a long weekend, a family member for a hospital stay, or whoever takes over for good.
That changes what belongs on it. A caregiver does not need your pet’s life story. They need to know what to feed, what to give and when, which vet to call, how to get into the house, and whether they are allowed to spend money if something goes wrong.
The part most people leave out
Three things cause almost every problem when someone else takes over:
- Nobody knows the medication schedule. Write down the dose, the time, and what “if you miss one” means.
- The vet records are in a drawer somewhere. A caregiver at 9 p.m. on a Sunday needs the clinic name, the account number, and the microchip number in one place.
- Nobody knows who pays. If the pet needs treatment, say in advance whether the caregiver may authorize it and where the money comes from. Otherwise they will hesitate, and hesitation costs time.
The sheet
The pet
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name, species, breed | |
| Age and date of birth | |
| Weight | |
| Microchip number and registry | |
| Where the adoption or purchase papers are | |
| Insurance policy number | |
| Where vaccination records are kept |
Feeding and routine
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Food brand and type | |
| Amount per meal, and how many meals | |
| Times | |
| Treats allowed | |
| Water or special diet notes | |
| Where food and supplies are kept | |
| Walking, litter, or exercise routine | |
| Habits: what upsets them, where they sleep |
Medication and health
| Medication | Dose | Time | Notes (with food? what if a dose is missed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Regular vet clinic and phone | |
| Account number | |
| Emergency clinic used outside hours | |
| Known allergies or conditions | |
| May the caregiver authorize treatment | |
| Who pays, and how to reach them | |
| Where a carrier or leash is kept |
Getting in, and who else to call
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| How to enter the home | |
| Alarm code and who to tell | |
| Who else can help | |
| Who the pet will live with long term | |
| Where this sheet is kept |
How to use it
- Write it for a stranger, not for yourself. If a sentence assumes you know something, it fails.
- Fill in the medication table with the actual pill bottle in front of you. Doses written from memory are the most common error on this sheet.
- Name one person who will take the pet long term, and ask them first. A plan nobody agreed to is not a plan.
- Tell the caregiver this sheet exists, and where it is. Pair it with your other papers using the free Document Inventory.
- Update it whenever the food, the medication, or the vet changes.
Frequently asked
Where should I keep it?
With the rest of the household instructions, ideally near the front of the binder and mentioned in your emergency binder cover page. The caregiver should not have to search.
Can I leave money for my pet’s care?
That is an estate-planning question rather than something a worksheet can do, and the answer depends on your state. If it matters to you, raise it with a licensed attorney in your state — and while you are there, ask what happens to the pet if nobody is named.
What if the person I named cannot take the pet?
Name a second person, and write down what you would want to happen if neither can. Animal rescues and breed-specific groups can help, but they need to be asked before they are needed.
Next step
Fill in the medication table first, directly from the bottles. Then hand this sheet to the person you would actually call, and ask them one question: “Would this be enough if it happened tonight?”
This is a record sheet, not legal advice. Boarding rules, veterinary authorization, and how animals are handled in an estate differ by state and by provider — confirm the details with your vet and, where money or custody is involved, with a licensed attorney in your state.