Guides

Dog daycare waiver checklist: what to cover before you see a lawyer

A waiver (or service agreement) sets expectations with pet parents before anything goes wrong. Rules on what a waiver can and can’t do differ by state, so have a local attorney write or review yours. This checklist helps you arrive with your decisions made.

Who and what

• The owner’s name, contact details and an emergency contact.
• Each dog covered: name, breed, age, spay/neuter status.
• The services: daycare, boarding, or both.

Health and vaccines

• The vaccines you require and that records must come from a vet.
• What happens if a shot lapses (you can refuse entry until it’s updated).
• The owner confirms the dog is healthy and will be kept home when sick.

Group play risks

• A plain statement that dogs playing together can get scrapes, minor injuries and illnesses even with good supervision.
• Your right to assess temperament and to remove a dog from group play or from the service.
• The owner discloses any bite history or aggression.

Vet care

• Permission to get emergency vet care, which vet you use if the owner’s can’t be reached, and who pays.
• How you try to reach the owner first.

Money and logistics

• Payment terms, cancellation and no-show rules, late pickup fees.
• What happens if a dog isn’t picked up (abandonment terms are usually set by state law).
• Permission to use photos on social media, as a separate opt-in.

Keep it findable

A signed waiver is only useful if you can find it. Note the date it was signed on the dog’s file. In DogDaycareManager, the notes field on each dog is a good place for that.