You know what “Luna’s usual dinner” means. A person visiting your home for the first time does not. Clear instructions translate the details you normally carry in your head into a routine another person can follow.
The aim is a usable handover, not a complete history of your pet. Start with the tasks you have agreed for the visit, then add the details that affect safety or comfort.
Put the essentials first
Begin with each pet’s name, type and a short identifying description. Then list the agreed tasks in the order you normally do them. Be specific about quantities, locations and household rules.
For example: “Milo’s bowl is the green one by the kitchen door. His food is in the labelled container on the shelf. Please close the bedroom door before opening the hallway door.” Only include tasks the team has agreed to perform; writing something in the notes does not automatically add it to the service.
Separate shared tasks from individual needs
In a home with several pets, some instructions apply to everyone, while others need a name attached. Keep general access and supply information together, then write a short section for each pet.
Mention feeding arrangements, permitted treats, toys and any interactions the carer should avoid. Explain behaviour you have observed: “She usually hides behind the sofa when a visitor arrives” is more useful than “She is difficult”.
Make exceptions easy to spot
Put important restrictions next to the relevant task. If a door must remain closed or an animal must not have a particular food, make that instruction explicit. Discuss health needs and any history of biting or escape with the team before confirmation.
Medical instructions should come from an appropriate veterinary professional, and the carer must expressly accept any requested medication task. A casual note is not a substitute for that conversation.
Keep one current version
If something changes, send an update through your booking conversation and ask the team to confirm the revised arrangement. Several contradictory notes make a handover harder to follow. Date your latest version and remove outdated printed instructions from the place you leave the handover.
Finish with your contact, an authorised backup contact and the emergency arrangements agreed with the team. Share sensitive access details through the agreed secure method, separately from anything you might forward to others.
You can add pet notes when you request a visit. Read the pet-care FAQs for what needs agreement before the booking is confirmed.