Guide
Sharing pet records with family and carers
In short: work out who needs which details, share the minimum that lets them help, keep one master record, and be clear about who is allowed to change what.
Who needs what
- Everyone in the household: vet and emergency contacts, feeding and medication instructions, and known allergies.
- A sitter or boarder: routine, medication with exact instructions, the vet's number and how to reach you. They usually do not need the full history.
- A family member who helps manage care: the full history, so they can book visits and answer questions.
- A new vet: the history relevant to care, shared with your agreement.
How to share
- Share a copy or a read-only view, not the master record.
- Give a short summary page for casual carers rather than the whole file.
- Leave out private details they do not need, such as insurance references or your full address.
- Say plainly what the instructions are. "Give the tablet at 8 in the morning as written on the label" beats a guess.
Keeping track of changes
- Agree who may add or correct entries. Most households choose one person to keep the master up to date.
- When someone adds information, note who they are and when they added it.
- Correct by adding a dated note, so the earlier entry is still visible.
When arrangements end
When a sitter finishes or a family member steps back, stop sharing updates and remove their access where you can. Remember that anything already copied can't be taken back, so share only what you are comfortable having kept.
How PetNFO fits. PetNFO is being designed with roles for viewers, carers, family members and a primary owner, vet access that expires, and a clear note of who added each entry. It is not available yet. See the planned app.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.