Emergency Pet-Care Instructions Card: Printable Owner Worksheet
A private pet-care worksheet that tells a trusted caregiver what to do if an owner is unexpectedly unavailable.
Emergency Pet-Care Instructions Card: Printable Owner Worksheet
An alert is only the signal to ask whether something is wrong. A pet-care plan also needs a willing caregiver, a safe access arrangement, food and medicine instructions, veterinary contacts, and a backup when the first caregiver cannot attend.
Agree with the caregiver before an incident
Choose someone comfortable with the animal’s species, size, temperament and handling needs. A friend who loves dogs may not be prepared to handle a fearful cat, a large reactive dog or an animal needing medication. Ask whether the person can realistically visit and whether their availability changes at weekends or holidays.
Check whether the caregiver will be told about a missed-check-in SMS and what that means. Their role is not necessarily to investigate the owner’s health; it may be to coordinate practical animal care after someone has assessed the situation.
- Primary caregiver consents
- Backup caregiver named
- Normal access and safety precautions discussed
Give directions that work without your phone
Write species and animal names, daily feeding quantity and schedule, water needs, litter or toilet routine, handling risks, usual hiding places, and veterinarian details. Provide emergency veterinary information if relevant. Avoid leaving passwords, building codes or spare-key locations on a public page or unprotected note.
For medication, only provide current vet-issued instructions; do not improvise doses or offer medical advice. Keep medicines and emergency supplies labelled and accessible through an agreed secure process.
- Pet name, species, temperament
- Food, water and toilet routine
- Vet contact and prescribed medication instructions
Plan for different durations
The first few hours may require only checking that the animal is safe. A longer disruption might require someone to feed, walk or move the animal to another approved place. Make the difference explicit; do not assume the caregiver can house an animal indefinitely.
If evacuation becomes necessary, prepare suitable transport equipment such as a leash, secure carrier, current ID and a small pet emergency supply bag. The exact supplies vary by animal and location.
- Short visit plan: __________
- If owner unavailable tomorrow: __________
- If temporary relocation necessary: __________
Connect your pet plan to a check-in plan
If a pet depends entirely on one person, a scheduled safety check-in can create an early prompt for a trusted contact to try reaching the owner. It does not assess animal welfare, unlock doors, transfer pet-care authority, or contact veterinarians by itself.
A missed check-in may have an innocent cause. The person who responds should first establish whether practical help is needed and follow prior agreements. Keep the written plan where authorized caregivers can find it when you cannot reply.
Takeaway worksheet
Write your answers privately after printing. This website does not collect your answers.
- Pets and handling precautions: __________________________
- Food/water schedule and supplies: __________________________
- Medication: current vet-prescribed instructions only
- Primary caregiver and backup: __________________________
- Veterinary practice and emergency contact: __________________________
- Secure access instructions stored separately with: __________
- Transport / temporary accommodation: __________________________
Share completed contact details and access information only with people you trust. A missed check-in is not proof of an emergency.
Important limits before you rely on any check-in app
NinjaAssurance is a safety check-in and communication tool. It is not an emergency, rescue, medical, security, or guaranteed monitoring service. A missed check-in does not prove that an emergency has occurred.
Notifications and SMS can be delayed, filtered, blocked, unavailable, or missed because of device settings, battery restrictions, internet or mobile-network conditions, country and carrier support, third-party providers, or service availability. In an immediate emergency, contact local emergency services directly.
Trusted contacts should consent before their phone number is stored and before SMS alerts are enabled. Keep numbers and response plans current.
Common questions
Should I share my door code by SMS?
Avoid broad sharing of access details. Use a secure method and only with an authorized caregiver you trust.
Does NinjaAssurance look after pets automatically?
No. It can help tell trusted contacts that the owner missed a check-in; human caregivers carry out any practical care.
Can the same card work for cats, dogs and birds?
The headings can, but specific care instructions and transport equipment must be tailored to the animal.
Further public guidance
These independent resources are provided for additional general safety planning, not as endorsements of NinjaAssurance.
Scheduled check-ins with SMS alerts to trusted contacts
Set check-in times that fit your routine. If reminders are missed and you do not confirm, NinjaAssurance can notify chosen trusted contacts by SMS where supported. They do not need the app.