Who will care for your pet.
Everything that makes them yours, written down for whoever comes next.
You know what time they like to eat, where they hide when a storm frightens them and which toy calms them down. Whoever looks after them in your place, for a holiday, a work trip or a longer stretch, doesn’t. Pet care instructions written with care make all the difference, for your pet and for the person taking them in.
Spoken words are forgotten, written ones aren’t
When you leave your pet with someone, the spoken instructions are always too many and always rushed. A written care sheet stays: it can be checked when needed, passed on to whoever takes over and updated calmly.
And there’s another reason: deciding today who could look after them, and asking that person, takes a weight off your mind. For many people, a pet is family, and deserves the same care.
What to put in the care sheet
Five headings, and whoever takes them in will know how to make them feel at home.
- Health
Their vet, vaccinations, microchip, any ongoing treatment and where the health records are kept.
- Food
What they eat, how much, at what time. What they mustn’t eat. Where to buy their food.
- Habits
Walk times, where they sleep, favourite toys, the words they understand.
- Personality
Fears, quirks, how they react to strangers and other animals, what calms them down.
- The people
Who already knows them, who could take them in, who to call if in doubt.
Olivia, dwarf rabbit, 4 years old
Hay always available, fresh vegetables morning and evening. Never iceberg lettuce.
Vet: the clinic at the end of the road, the number’s in her health booklet. Vaccination in March; the booklet is in the hall drawer.
She’s scared of loud noises: during storms she squeezes under the sofa. Leave her be and put her light blue blanket next to her.
She loves being scratched behind the ears and hates being picked up. Grace, our neighbour, knows her well and has the house keys.
Ask them today
Don’t assume someone will be willing to take them in: talk it through first, calmly. Choose someone who already knows your pet and, if you can, a second person as a back-up. Then write their names on the care sheet.
Their care sheet, delivered to whoever needs it
A recording of your voice calling them helps whoever takes them in win their trust.
Write and add photos and audio
An Instructions capsule with the care sheet, photos and your voice.
Choose who will receive it
The person who will look after them, and perhaps the back-up too.
Choose when
On a set date, like the start of a holiday, or when your Guardian confirms the time has come.
Your pet’s care sheet: common questions
Any other questions? Write to us via Help.
Other words, for other moments
Your pet deserves
the right words too.
Write their care sheet today. It only takes twenty minutes.