Guide
What to include in a pet visit report (with checklist)
A great visit report does two jobs: it reassures the pet parent, and it sells your next booking for you. Owners who feel informed tip more, rebook faster, and refer friends. Here's exactly what to include — and a checklist you can copy today.
The 10-point visit report checklist
Times: Check-in and check-out time — proof the visit happened as booked.
Potty: Did the dog go out? How long? Litter box/cage status for cats and small pets.
Food & water: Ate everything / ate half / refused — plus fresh water. Refusals are early warning signs owners want to know about.
Medications: Given on time, with a note if anything was refused or tricky.
Exercise & play: Walk length, games played, energy level.
Mood: Happy / anxious / lethargic — one sentence is enough.
Home security: Doors locked, lights set, mail collected, plants watered if agreed.
Photos: 1–3 photos: one face shot, one action shot.
Anything unusual: Chewed shoe, escaped cat, low food supply, odd neighbor — flag it early.
Next visit: When you will be back, so owners can plan around you.
The three rules that make reports feel professional
- Send it within an hour of leaving. A report at 8pm for a 10am visit feels like an afterthought.
- Same structure every time. Owners learn where to look — that consistency is what "professional" feels like.
- Lead with the good news. "Buddy had a great walk!" first, logistics second. Nobody reads a spreadsheet when they miss their dog.
How software makes this automatic
If you're writing reports by hand in WhatsApp, this is the part of the job that should take 60 seconds, not 20 minutes. PetPal Pro timestamps your GPS check-in automatically, prompts you with exactly this checklist at check-out, and sends the owner a polished report via a simple link — no app for them to install. Free for up to 5 clients.