Pet Sitter Emergency Contact List: The Info That Actually Matters in a Crisis

A pet sitter emergency contact list should include your phone number, a local backup contact, your regular vet and 24-hour emergency clinic details, written authorization for treatment, and your pet’s medical history. The goal is giving your sitter everything they need to act quickly without hunting for information during an emergency.

Your dog just ate something toxic. Your cat isn’t breathing right. Your sitter is standing in your kitchen at 9pm trying to decide whether to call you or go straight to the emergency vet.

This moment determines whether your pet gets immediate care or whether your sitter wastes critical minutes tracking down information. An emergency contact list isn’t bureaucracy—it’s the difference between fast action and dangerous delays.

Why Emergency Contact Lists Actually Matter

You think “my sitter can just call me if something happens.” But what if:

• You’re on a flight with no service
• You’re in a meeting that can’t be interrupted
• You’re in a different time zone and asleep
• Your phone dies or gets lost
• The emergency requires immediate action, not a phone consultation

Professional pet sitters know how to handle emergencies, but they need authorization and information to act. Without it, they’re stuck waiting for you while your pet’s condition worsens.

A complete emergency contact list gives your sitter permission and resources to make decisions when you’re unreachable.

When you book through Petme, every reservation is automatically covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to $20,000 in emergency veterinary coverage. But even with financial protection in place, your sitter still needs the information and authorization to act quickly when seconds matter.

Your Contact Information (The Obvious Part)

Start with how to reach you.

What to Include

Your primary contact:

• Cell phone number (the one you check constantly)
• Backup number if you have one (work phone, partner’s phone)
• Email (less useful in emergencies, but include it)
• Expected availability during your trip

Travel details:

• Where you’ll be (city, hotel name if relevant)
• Time zone difference
• Any periods when you’ll be completely unreachable (flights, excursions, meetings)

What to Explain

Response expectations: Make it clear when to contact you vs. when to act immediately without waiting.

Call me first (non-emergencies):

• Pet refuses to eat for one meal
• Mild diarrhea or vomiting (once or twice)
• Minor behavior changes
• Questions about routine or instructions

Act immediately, then notify me (true emergencies):

• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Severe injury or bleeding
• Inability to urinate or defecate
• Unconsciousness or collapse
• Ingestion of toxic substances
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea (multiple times with blood)

Write this distinction clearly. Your sitter shouldn’t hesitate in a genuine emergency because they’re trying to reach you first.

Our guide on pet sitter emergencies explains how professionals handle crisis situations.

Backup Emergency Contact (The Critical Part)

You need a local backup contact who can make decisions if you’re unreachable.

Who to Choose

Best options:

• Family member or close friend who knows your pet
• Someone local (within 30 minutes of your home)
• Someone you trust to authorize emergency vet care
• Someone who will answer their phone at 2am

Not ideal:

• Someone who’s never met your pet
• Someone who lives far away
• Someone who panics in emergencies
• Someone who won’t answer unknown numbers

What Your Backup Contact Needs to Know

Before you leave, brief your backup contact:

• You’ve listed them as emergency contact for your pet
• They may need to authorize vet treatment if you’re unreachable
• Your sitter has their phone number
• What types of situations might require their involvement
• Your preferences for emergency care (spending limits, quality of life decisions)

Information to give your backup contact:

• Your vet’s name and phone number
• Emergency clinic location and number
• That emergency vet expenses up to $20,000 are covered through Petme
• Approximate spending limits for non-emergency care
• Any medical conditions or medications your pet takes

Leave a copy of your emergency contact list with your backup person. They shouldn’t have to hunt for vet information while handling a crisis.

Veterinary Contact Information (The Lifesaving Part)

Your sitter needs immediate access to vet information—both your regular vet and emergency clinics.

Regular Veterinarian

What to include:

• Clinic name
• Full address (not just cross streets)
• Phone number
• Hours of operation
• Your pet’s patient ID or account number
• Name of your preferred vet if you have one

What to explain:

• Whether your regular vet accepts emergency walk-ins during business hours
• If you have a credit card on file for charges
• Any outstanding balances or account holds
• Whether they know your pet’s medical history

Call your vet before your trip and confirm:

• Your contact information is current in their system
• Your sitter can authorize care on your behalf (some vets require written authorization)
• Your payment information is up to date
• They have your backup emergency contact if needed

24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinic

What to include:

• Clinic name (the specific emergency facility, not just “emergency vet”)
• Full address with directions if location is tricky
• Phone number
• Whether you need to call ahead or can walk in
• Approximate distance from your home

How to find the right emergency clinic:

• Look for 24/7 availability (some “emergency” clinics have limited hours)
• Check distance—closer matters in emergencies
• Read reviews about wait times and care quality
• Verify they handle your pet’s species (not all emergency clinics see exotic pets)
• Confirm they accept standard payment methods

Include the address in GPS-friendly format. Your sitter shouldn’t waste time figuring out directions during a crisis.

Pro tip: Drive to the emergency clinic yourself before your trip so you can give specific directions. “It’s the blue building past the Target, parking is in back” helps more than an address alone.

Specialist or Oncologist (If Applicable)

If your pet sees specialists for ongoing conditions, include:

• Specialist’s name and type (cardiologist, oncologist, etc.)
• Clinic name and contact info
• When to contact them vs. emergency clinic
• Your pet’s patient ID with their practice

Written Authorization for Emergency Treatment

This is the most important legal document you’ll leave.

Why Authorization Matters

Many vets won’t treat a pet without owner consent, especially for expensive or invasive procedures. If your sitter can’t reach you and doesn’t have written authorization, your pet might not receive timely care.

When you book through Petme, the Protection Plan covers emergency veterinary expenses up to $20,000 per booking. This means financial concerns shouldn’t delay critical care—but your sitter still needs legal authorization to approve treatment on your behalf.

What to Include in Written Authorization

Essential elements:

• Your name and contact information
• Your pet’s name and description
• Date range authorization is valid
• Clear statement giving your sitter permission to authorize treatment
• Signature and date

Sample authorization letter:

Pet Emergency Care Authorization

I, [Your Name], authorize [Pet Sitter’s Name] to approve emergency veterinary care for my pet, [Pet’s Name], a [description/breed] during the period of [start date] to [end date].

[Pet Sitter’s Name] has my permission to:

• Transport my pet to [Regular Vet Name] or [Emergency Clinic Name]
• Authorize diagnostic tests and treatment as recommended by the veterinarian
• Approve necessary medical expenses for emergency care
• Make humane decisions in my absence if necessary

I understand that I am financially responsible for all veterinary expenses incurred.

My contact information: [Phone number] Backup emergency contact: [Name and phone number]

Signature: _________________ Date: _________

Important notes about emergency expenses:

When booking through Petme, your sitter should know that emergency vet bills are covered up to $20,000 through the Protection Plan. Your sitter or the vet will typically need to pay at time of service (most emergency clinics don’t work with insurance directly), but you’ll be reimbursed through Petme’s coverage.

Make sure your sitter knows:

• Emergency expenses up to $20,000 are covered
• Save all receipts and documentation
• Contact Petme to file a claim after the emergency
• Payment is typically required upfront, then reimbursed

Leave multiple copies: one for your sitter, one to take to the vet if needed, one with your backup contact.

Pet Medical Information (The Context Part)

Emergency vets need medical history to make informed decisions. Provide comprehensive information upfront.

Current Medications

For each medication, include:

• Drug name (brand and generic)
• Dosage (exact amount, not “one pill”)
• Administration schedule (times, with or without food)
• What the medication treats
• Side effects to watch for
• Pharmacy name and phone number for refills

Example format:

• Enalapril 5mg (heart medication)
• Give one tablet by mouth twice daily (8am and 8pm) with food
• Possible side effects: lethargy, loss of appetite
• Refills available at: [Pharmacy name, phone number]

Leave the actual medication bottles clearly labeled. Don’t decant pills into unmarked containers.

Health History and Conditions

What to include:

• Chronic conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, etc.)
• Past surgeries or major medical events
• Allergies (medications, foods, environmental)
• Behavioral issues relevant to care (anxiety, aggression, fear)
• Any breed-specific health concerns

Recent health changes:

• New diagnoses within the past 6 months
• Recent changes in behavior, appetite, or energy
• Upcoming vet appointments or procedures
• Test results that might be relevant (bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds)

If your pet has complex medical needs, consider sharing this information with your vet before you leave so it’s in their system.

For breed-specific health concerns, share relevant care guides with your sitter.

Vaccination History

What to include:

• Date of last rabies vaccination (legally required)
• Other core vaccines (distemper, parvo for dogs; FVRCP for cats)
• Non-core vaccines if applicable (bordetella, leptospirosis, FeLV)
• Due dates for upcoming vaccinations

Emergency clinics may ask about vaccination status, particularly for rabies. Having dates readily available speeds check-in.

Microchip Information

What to include:

• Microchip number
• Registry company (HomeAgain, PetLink, etc.)
• Confirmation that your contact info is current in the registry

Why this matters: If your pet escapes or gets lost during pet sitting, a microchip is their ticket home. Verify before your trip that your phone number and address are up to date in the microchip registry.

Pet Identification and Photos (The Finding-Them Part)

If your pet escapes or gets lost, your sitter needs identification information immediately.

Recent Photos

What to provide:

• Clear, recent photo of your pet’s face
• Full-body photo showing markings and coloring
• Photos from multiple angles
• Any distinguishing features (scars, unique markings, cropped ears)

Why this matters: If your pet goes missing, your sitter needs photos to create lost pet posters, post on social media, and share with shelters and vets in the area.

Take new photos right before you leave. A photo from six months ago might not show recent changes (weight loss, new collar, coat changes).

Physical Description

What to include:

• Breed (or mix description)
• Weight
• Age
• Color and markings
• Collar description (color, tags attached)
• Any distinguishing features

Example: Max: 8-year-old male Labrador Retriever, black with small white chest patch, 75 lbs, wearing blue collar with bone-shaped tag, microchipped, small scar on left ear from old injury

House and Routine Information (The Context Part)

Emergency contacts should include basic house information so your sitter isn’t hunting for supplies during a crisis.

Emergency Supply Locations

What to include:

• Pet carrier location (critical for vet transport)
• First aid kit location
• Extra leashes or harnesses
• Towels or blankets (for transport if pet is injured)
• Flashlight (if power goes out)

Pet carrier specifics:

• Where it’s stored
• How to assemble if it breaks down
• Whether your pet is carrier-trained or will resist
• Tips for getting your pet into the carrier during stress

Home Emergency Information

What to include:

• Circuit breaker location (if power trips)
• Water main shut-off (if pipe bursts)
• Gas shut-off (if gas leak)
• Emergency plumber/electrician numbers
• Home security system details
• Alarm company contact if system triggers

Your sitter might not need this for your pet, but if a house emergency happens simultaneously, they need to handle it.

What to Do If Your Pet Has Specific Conditions

Some conditions require specialized emergency planning.

Seizure Disorders

Include:

• Frequency of seizures
• Typical duration
• What seizures look like for your pet
• Emergency medication (rectal diazepam, etc.)
• When to go to emergency vet vs. monitor at home
• Post-seizure behavior and care

Diabetes

Include:

• Blood glucose target range
• Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Emergency glucose source (Karo syrup, honey)
• When to test blood sugar
• Emergency vet threshold

Heart Disease

Include:

• Type of heart condition
• Current medications
• Signs of heart failure (coughing, labored breathing, lethargy)
• When to seek emergency care
• Activity restrictions

Anxiety or Aggression

Include:

• Triggers for anxiety or aggressive behavior
• Warning signs before escalation
• De-escalation techniques
• Whether sitter should attempt to handle pet or call professional
• Emergency medication if prescribed (trazodone, gabapentin)

For detailed guidance on managing anxious or aggressive cats, share our articles on handling shy cats and handling aggressive cats with your sitter.

How to Organize and Present This Information

Don’t hand your sitter ten loose pages of information. Organize it clearly.

Emergency Contact Binder

Create a physical binder or folder that lives in an obvious location (kitchen counter, near pet supplies).

Binder sections:

1. Emergency contacts (first page, most visible)
2. Authorization letter
3. Vet information and directions
4. Medical history and medications
5. Pet photos and description
6. House emergency information
7. Daily care instructions (routine, feeding, etc.)

Use page protectors so information doesn’t get damaged or lost.

Digital Backup

Send a digital copy to your sitter via email or text. If they lose the physical copy, they still have access.

What to send digitally:

• PDF of emergency contact list
• Photos of your pet
• Copy of authorization letter
• Vet contact information

Security note: Be careful with sensitive information. Don’t include credit card numbers or passwords in emails. Share those verbally or through secure methods.

Laminated Quick Reference Card

Create a wallet-sized laminated card with the most critical information:

Front:

• Your phone number
• Backup contact name and number
• Regular vet name and number
• Emergency clinic name and number

Back:

• Pet’s name, age, weight
• Current medications (brief list)
• Allergies
• Microchip number

Your sitter can keep this in their wallet or car for quick access during an emergency.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming your sitter will remember everything: Even after a thorough home tour, they won’t remember every detail. Write it down.

Outdated contact information: That emergency clinic you listed? Call and verify it’s still 24/7. That vet’s phone number? Make sure it’s current. Old information wastes critical time.

Vague authorization: “Do what you think is best” isn’t specific enough. Vets need explicit permission and contact information.

Missing backup contact: If you’re the only contact and you’re unreachable, your sitter is stuck. Always provide a local backup.

No carrier location: Your sitter can’t transport your pet to the emergency vet without a carrier. Show them where it is and how to use it.

Forgetting to inform your vet: Call your vet before your trip. Confirm your sitter can authorize care and that your payment info is current.

Testing Your Emergency Plan

Before you leave, test the plan.

Verification checklist:

• ✅ Call your regular vet and confirm authorization
• ✅ Drive to emergency clinic so you can give directions
• ✅ Test that your backup contact answers their phone
• ✅ Verify your microchip registry contact info is current
• ✅ Show your sitter where the carrier is stored
• ✅ Review what constitutes “call immediately” vs. “act first, notify later”

Walk through a hypothetical emergency scenario with your sitter:

“It’s 10pm and my cat is struggling to breathe. What do you do?”

Correct answer: “I get the carrier from the hall closet, transport the cat to [Emergency Clinic Name] at [address], show them the medical history and authorization letter, approve necessary treatment, save all documentation, and call you as soon as the cat is being examined.”

If your sitter hesitates or seems confused, clarify before you leave.

After the Emergency (If One Happens)

If your sitter does handle an emergency while you’re gone, follow up properly.

When you return:

• Thank them for acting quickly and appropriately
• Collect all receipts and medical documentation
• Review what happened and whether your emergency plan worked
• Update your contact list based on what you learned
• Leave a positive review mentioning their crisis handling

If the outcome was difficult:

• Don’t blame your sitter for doing their best
• Review decisions with your vet afterward
• Update your authorization letter if needed
• Consider additional training or planning for future sits

Professional sitters handle emergencies calmly, but they need the right tools and information. Your emergency contact list is that tool.

Finding Sitters Who Take Emergencies Seriously

On Petme, you can read reviews specifically mentioning how sitters handled emergency situations. Look for sitters who:

• Ask detailed questions about health history during meet-and-greets
• Take notes during your home tour
• Request emergency authorization letters proactively
• Have experience with your pet’s specific health conditions
• Stay calm under pressure (as noted in reviews)

Find experienced pet sitters on Petme who understand that emergency planning isn’t paranoia—it’s professional pet care.

If you’re preparing for your first pet sitting experience, read our complete first-time guide for the full preparation process.

FAQ: Pet Sitter Emergency Contact List

What information should I give a pet sitter for emergencies?

Include your phone number, local backup contact, regular vet and 24-hour emergency clinic details, written authorization for treatment, pet’s medical history, current medications, vaccination records, microchip information, and recent photos.

What is written authorization for emergency veterinary care?

A signed document giving your pet sitter permission to authorize medical treatment for your pet in your absence, including diagnostic tests and procedures.

What is the most common pet emergency?

Common emergencies include ingestion of toxic substances, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting or diarrhea, injuries from falls or accidents, urinary blockages, seizures, and heatstroke. Each requires immediate veterinary attention.

How does Petme Protection Plan work for emergency vet visits?

Every Petme booking includes up to $20,000 in emergency veterinary coverage. If your pet needs emergency care, your sitter proceeds with treatment, saves all documentation, and you file a claim through Petme for reimbursement of covered expenses.

How do I prepare my pet sitter for a medical emergency?

Provide complete medical history, show them where the pet carrier is stored, review signs of distress specific to your pet, demonstrate medication administration if needed, and walk through emergency procedures verbally.

Should I leave my credit card information with my pet sitter?

No, instead keep a credit card on file with your vet or provide written authorization for your sitter to approve necessary emergency charges. When booking through Petme, emergency expenses up to $20,000 are covered by Protection Plan.

What if my pet sitter can’t reach me during an emergency?

This is why you need a local backup emergency contact who can make decisions and authorize treatment on your behalf. List this person on your emergency contact sheet and inform them about it.

How do I find the nearest 24-hour emergency vet?

Search “24-hour emergency vet near me,” verify hours (some are not truly 24/7), read reviews, and drive there yourself before your trip to provide accurate directions to your sitter.

Your pet sitter isn’t psychic. They can’t handle emergencies effectively without complete information, clear authorization, and knowledge of available protections.

The time to prepare isn’t during the crisis—it’s now, before you leave. Spend thirty minutes creating a thorough emergency contact list, and you’ll have peace of mind for the entire trip knowing that Petme Protection Plan has you covered for up to $20,000 in emergency veterinary expenses.

Your pet’s life might depend on it.