Forum posts tell the story: A puppy swallows cooked pork bones. The owners are on a tiny Caribbean island, unreachable for days. The vet won't treat without authorisation. The sitter doesn't have funds for emergency care. Everyone panics.
This scenario – and variations of it – happens more often than you'd think. The time to sort out protocols is before the sit, not during a crisis.
Emergency Information Sheet
Print this, fill it in before the sit, and keep it visible. All emergency contacts, vet details, and pet health info in one place.
What the platforms actually say
Most people don't read the terms of service. Here's what they often say:
On some platforms, terms state sitters must cover emergency costs and seek reimbursement later. This can mean thousands out of pocket.
The coverage many platforms offer is explicitly not an insurance policy. Exclusions and limits may not be what you expect.
Many vets won't perform significant treatment without owner consent. Some won't even see the animal.
This isn't to alarm you – most sits pass without incident. But understanding the gaps helps you prepare properly.
For homeowners: setting things up right
A few hours of preparation can prevent a crisis.
Vet authorisation
- Contact your regular vet before you leave. Add your sitter as an authorised carer. Confirm what treatments they can approve without contacting you.
- Identify emergency vet options. Your regular vet may be closed at night or weekends. Know the nearest 24-hour emergency vet and share details with your sitter.
- Check if emergency vets accept your regular vet's authorisation. Some don't. You may need to call ahead and set up a separate arrangement.
- Leave written authorisation with your sitter. A signed letter authorising treatment (up to a certain cost) can help if vets require documentation.
All of this should be part of your departure preparation. Our preparing your home guide covers vet details, emergency contacts, and everything else to leave for your sitter.
Payment arrangements
- Put a card on file with your vet. Many vets allow this. Bills go directly to your card without the sitter needing to pay.
- Consider an emergency fund. Some homeowners leave cash or a prepaid card for unexpected costs, with clear guidelines on when to use it.
- Discuss reimbursement explicitly. If the sitter might need to pay upfront, agree in advance: how quickly will you reimburse? What's the maximum they might need to cover?
- Verify your pet insurance coverage. Understand what's covered, what's excluded, and how to make a claim. Share policy details with your sitter.
Communication & decisions
- Confirm how reachable you'll be. If you're travelling somewhere remote, let your sitter know. Establish backup contacts who can make decisions.
- Name an emergency decision-maker. A trusted friend or family member who knows your wishes if you genuinely can't be reached.
- Discuss difficult decisions. For elderly or ill pets, have the conversation about end-of-life wishes before you leave. It's hard, but necessary.
For sitters: questions to ask beforehand
During your video call or in messages, cover these points:
- “Where's your regular vet, and am I authorised to take the pets there?”
- “Is there a 24-hour emergency vet nearby?”
- “How would vet bills be handled if there's an emergency?”
- “How easily can I reach you while you're away?”
- “If I can't reach you, who else can I contact?”
- “Are there any medical conditions I should know about?”
If the homeowner seems unprepared or dismissive about these questions, that's useful information about how they handle responsibility.
If an emergency happens
Immediate steps
If the owner is unreachable
This is the hardest situation. Use your judgment:
- Life-threatening situations: Act. Any reasonable owner would want you to seek emergency care rather than wait. Document your decision-making.
- Non-urgent but concerning: Contact the backup person. Keep trying the owner. Monitor closely. Seek vet advice but hold off on major treatment unless it becomes urgent.
- Use the vet's guidance: They deal with this all the time. Explain the situation and follow their professional advice.
Remember: The pet's welfare comes first. If you act in good faith to protect an animal, you're doing the right thing – even if it costs money you didn't expect to spend.
Handling payment disputes
Sometimes things go wrong after the emergency:
- Keep all receipts and documentation.
Itemised vet bills, photos of the pet's condition, timestamps on communications.
- Communicate in writing.
After verbal discussions, follow up with a summary message. “Just confirming: you'll reimburse the £350 vet bill when you return.”
- If the owner won't reimburse...
Contact the platform's support (if applicable). Small claims court is a last resort but is an option for significant amounts.
- Learn from it.
Next time, get payment arrangements in writing before the sit starts.
Why paid arrangements make this easier
In paid housesitting arrangements:
Free-exchange platforms often leave these details vague. When you're hiring directly, you can make everything explicit from the start.
Quick checklist
Homeowners: before you leave
- ☐Vet authorisation for sitter
- ☐Payment method on file with vet
- ☐Emergency vet details shared
- ☐Backup contact named
- ☐Pet insurance details shared
- ☐Written authorisation for treatment
- ☐Difficult decisions discussed
Sitters: before you start
- ☐Vet location and contact saved
- ☐Emergency vet location saved
- ☐Payment arrangement understood
- ☐Owner's contact details (all numbers)
- ☐Backup contact details
- ☐Pet's medical history known
- ☐Authorisation limits clear
The bottom line
Pet emergencies are rare but serious. A few minutes of preparation can prevent confusion, conflict, and delays when time matters most.
Discuss it before the sit. Get clear answers. Put important details in writing. Then relax – you've done what you can to prepare for something that will probably never happen.