Summary. Sixteen templates, by situation.

1. Bite incident report

Complete the same day. This is the document everything else is built on.

INCIDENT REPORT — complete within 24 hours
Prepared by: ______________  Date prepared: ____/____/______

THE INCIDENT
  Date: ____/____/______  Time: ________
  Location (exact): ______________________________
  Weather / lighting: ______________________

MY ANIMAL
  Name: ______________  Breed/description: ______________
  Age: ____  Weight: ____  Sex: ____  Altered: Y / N
  Microchip: ______________  License: ______________
  Rabies vaccination date: ________  Certificate located: [ ]
  Prior bite or aggression history: NONE / ______________________

THE OTHER PERSON
  Name: ______________________
  Address: ______________________
  Phone: ______________  Email: ______________
  Age (if a child): ____
  Injury described: ______________________________
  Medical care: [ ] declined  [ ] urgent care  [ ] ER  [ ] EMS called
  Where treated: ______________________

WHAT HAPPENED — chronological, factual, no conclusions
  Before:  ______________________________________________________
  ______________________________________________________________
  During:  ______________________________________________________
  ______________________________________________________________
  After:   ______________________________________________________
  ______________________________________________________________

  Where was the animal confined? ______________________
  How did the animal come into contact with the person?
  ______________________________________________________________
  Was a gate, door, leash, or fence involved? ______________________
  Who was present? ______________________
  Was the person on my property? [ ] invited  [ ] uninvited  [ ] public

FACTS RELEVANT TO DEFENSES — record these even if you are not sure
  Provocation: did the person strike, tease, corner, or startle the
    animal? ______________________________
  Trespass: was the person lawfully present? ____________
  Defense of a person: was anyone being threatened? ____________
  Defense of young: were puppies or kittens present? ____________
  Prior conduct of the person toward the animal: ____________

WITNESSES
  Name ______________ Phone ______________ What they saw ____________
  Name ______________ Phone ______________ What they saw ____________

WHAT WAS SAID
  By me:            ______________________________
  By the other:     ______________________________
  By any witness:   ______________________________

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN (before anything was moved or repaired)
  [ ] Location, wide       [ ] Gate / door / latch
  [ ] Fence, with height   [ ] Leash and collar
  [ ] Sight lines          [ ] Any signage
  Photo numbers: ______ to ______

REPORTS
  Animal control notified: ____/____/______  Case # ____________
  Police notified: ____/____/______  Report # ____________
  Quarantine ordered: [ ] Yes — terms: ______________  [ ] No
  INSURER NOTIFIED: ____/____/______  Claim # ____________
    <- do this promptly; late notice is a coverage defense

WHAT I DID NOT DO
  [ ] I did not admit fault or promise payment
  [ ] I did not repair or alter the gate/fence before photographing
  [ ] I did not speak to their insurer
  [ ] I did not rehome or surrender the animal

2. Witness statement

WITNESS STATEMENT

I, ______________, of ______________________________, state:

1. On ____/____/______ at approximately ________, I was at
   ______________________ because ______________________.

2. WHAT I SAW. [In your own words, in order. Describe only what you
   personally observed. Do not characterize; describe.]
   ______________________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________________

3. WHERE I WAS. I was approximately ______ feet away, at
   ______________________. My view was [unobstructed / partially
   obstructed by ____________].

4. WHAT I HEARD. ______________________________________________

5. WHAT HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE.
   ______________________________________________________________

6. [If applicable] MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANIMAL. I have known this animal
   for ______ [time]. In that time I have observed:
   ______________________________________________________________
   I have [never / ____ times] seen it behave aggressively toward a
   person.

I declare under penalty of perjury that this statement is true and
correct to the best of my knowledge.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address]      Date: ________

NOTE: each statement should be in the witness's own words and should
differ from the others. Identical statements from several people are
worse than none.

3. Insurance notice letter

[Date]     SEND PROMPTLY — LATE NOTICE IS A COVERAGE DEFENSE

[Insurance company]
[Claims address / claims email / claims phone]

RE: Notice of potential claim
    Policyholder: ______________
    Policy number: ______________
    Date of incident: ____/____/______
    Location: ______________________________

I am providing notice of an incident that may result in a claim under my
[homeowner's / renter's] liability coverage.

WHAT HAPPENED
  On ____/____/______ at approximately ________, at
  ______________________, my dog [name, breed, age] came into contact
  with ______________ [name], who sustained ______________________.

  [Two or three factual sentences. Do not speculate about fault. Do not
  characterize the injury beyond what you observed or were told.]

THE OTHER PERSON
  Name: ______________  Address: ______________
  Phone: ______________
  Medical care: ______________________

REPORTS FILED
  Animal control: case # ______________ on ________
  Police: report # ______________ on ________
  Quarantine ordered: [ ] Yes  [ ] No

ENCLOSED
  [ ] My written incident report
  [ ] Photographs of the location
  [ ] Rabies vaccination certificate
  [ ] Witness contact information
  [ ] Any correspondence received

I request that you:
  1. Confirm receipt of this notice in writing.
  2. Advise whether this incident is covered under my policy, and
     identify any exclusion you contend applies.
  3. Assign an adjuster and provide contact information.
  4. Advise what you need from me.

I have not admitted fault, discussed settlement, or spoken with any other
insurer, and I will refer all contacts to you.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Email] · [Address]
Sent by [method] on ________; confirmation retained.

4. Ordinance review worksheet

Fill this out before doing anything else in a dangerous dog case.

ORDINANCE REVIEW
Jurisdiction: ______________  Code chapter: ______________
Found at: ______________________________  Date reviewed: ________

DEFINITIONS — quote them
  "Potentially dangerous" means: ______________________________
  "Dangerous" means: ______________________________
  "Vicious" means: ______________________________
  "At large" means: ______________________________
  "Owner" / "keeper" / "harborer" means: ______________________
  Does an "attack" require INJURY?              Yes / No
  Does it cover conduct toward OTHER ANIMALS?   Yes / No
  Is PROVOCATION in the definition or a defense? ____________
  Is TRESPASS a defense?                        Yes / No
  Defense of a person / of young?               Yes / No

PROCEDURE
  Who makes the initial determination? ______________________
  Is the animal IMPOUNDED pending the hearing?  Yes / No
    Where: ______________  Daily cost to me: $ ______
  Notice required? ______ days
  Time to REQUEST a hearing: ______ days   MY DEADLINE: ________
  Hearing must occur within: ______ days
  Who hears it: ______________________
  Standard of proof: ______________________
  Counsel permitted?                            Yes / No
  May I present witnesses and cross-examine?    Yes / No

CONSEQUENCES BY LEVEL — itemize
  POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS: ______________________________
  DANGEROUS: __________________________________________
    Enclosure spec: ______________________
    Insurance required: $ ______________
    Muzzle / leash: ______________________
    Signage: ______________________
    Sterilization / microchip: ____________
    Registration / registry: ______________
  VICIOUS: ____________________________________________
    Destruction possible?                       Yes / No

APPEAL
  Route: ______________________
  DEADLINE: ______ days       <- WRITE THIS IN LARGE LETTERS
  Filed where: ______________________
  Is the designation stayed pending appeal?     Yes / No

REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION
  Possible?  Yes / No   After: ______ years   Requirements: __________

OTHER SECTIONS TO CHECK
  Leash / restraint: ______________________
  Number limit per household: ______
  Licensing: ______________________
  Rabies vaccination: ______________________
  Barking standard: ______________________
  Waste: ______________________
  Nuisance: ______________________

THE TWO NUMBERS THAT MATTER MOST
  Deadline to request a hearing:  ____/____/______
  Deadline to appeal a decision:  ____/____/______

5. Records request to animal control

[Date]

[Animal control agency / records custodian]
[Address]

RE: Request for records
    Case number: ______________
    Animal: ______________  Owner: ______________
    Incident date: ____/____/______

I request copies of the following records concerning the above matter,
under [the state public records act / the ordinance's file access
provision]:

  1. The complaint or report initiating this matter, in full
  2. The investigating officer's complete report and field notes
  3. All witness statements obtained
  4. All photographs and video
  5. Any medical records or descriptions of injury in the file
  6. Any prior complaints, citations, or reports concerning this animal
     or this address
  7. Any prior determinations or designations concerning this animal
  8. Impoundment records, including intake condition and daily care logs
  9. Any communications between the agency and the complainant
 10. The specific ordinance provisions relied on
 11. Any documents the agency intends to introduce at the hearing
 12. The name and qualifications of any witness the agency intends to
     call

I request these in advance of the hearing scheduled for ____/____/______
so that I may prepare. If any record is withheld, please identify it and
state the basis.

If there is a fee, please advise the amount before processing.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address] · [Email]

6. Temperament evaluation request

Give this to the behaviorist. It tells them what the hearing actually needs.

REQUEST FOR BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION — for use in an administrative hearing

Animal: ______________  Breed/description: ______________
Age: ____  Sex: ____  Altered: Y / N  Weight: ____
Owner: ______________  Hearing date: ____/____/______

WHAT THE PROCEEDING IS
  This is an administrative hearing to determine whether this animal
  should be designated [potentially dangerous / dangerous / vicious]
  under [jurisdiction] ordinance section ______. The ordinance defines
  the relevant term as: "______________________________."
  Possible consequences include: ______________________________.

WHAT THE EVALUATION SHOULD ADDRESS
  Please address each of the following explicitly in a written report:

  1. YOUR QUALIFICATIONS. Credentials, certifications, years of
     practice, and experience evaluating animals for legal proceedings.

  2. WHAT YOU DID. Dates, duration, setting, and the protocol used.
     Please state the methodology by name where a standardized protocol
     was used.

  3. HUMAN-DIRECTED BEHAVIOR. Response to unfamiliar adults, to
     children if safely assessable, to handling, restraint, and
     approach; response to startling stimuli; resource guarding;
     response to a stranger entering the space.

  4. DOG-DIRECTED AND ANIMAL-DIRECTED BEHAVIOR, and whether it is
     distinguishable from human-directed behavior.

  5. AROUSAL AND RECOVERY. Threshold, intensity, and how quickly the
     animal returns to baseline.

  6. YOUR OPINION on whether this animal presents an unreasonable risk
     of harm to people, stated in the terms the ordinance uses.

  7. THE INCIDENT. Given the described circumstances [attach the
     incident description], your professional opinion on the likely
     behavioral explanation, including whether the described conduct is
     consistent with predatory aggression, defensive behavior, fear,
     redirected arousal, play, or startle.

  8. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS. Specific, implementable measures —
     equipment, environment, handling, training — and your opinion on
     whether they would reasonably mitigate any identified risk.

  9. PROGNOSIS with the recommended management in place.

ENCLOSED FOR YOUR REVIEW
  [ ] The incident report and any officer's report
  [ ] Complete veterinary records
  [ ] Training history
  [ ] Statements from the groomer, boarder, and veterinary staff
  [ ] Photographs of the home and enclosure

Please indicate whether you are willing to testify if requested, and
your fee for doing so.

7. Remediation package index

Assemble this BEFORE the hearing, and before the negotiation.

REMEDIATION PACKAGE
Owner: ______________  Animal: ______________
Case number: ______________  Hearing date: ____/____/______

TAB 1 — CONTAINMENT, COMPLETED
  1.1  Photographs of the enclosure, with a measuring tape showing
       height in the frame
  1.2  Photographs of the gate, latch, and self-closing hardware
  1.3  Photographs of posted signage
  1.4  Contractor invoice and date of installation
  1.5  Diagram of the property showing the enclosure and access points

TAB 2 — TRAINING, IN PROGRESS OR COMPLETE
  2.1  Enrollment confirmation, program name, and curriculum
  2.2  Trainer's credentials
  2.3  Attendance record and receipts
  2.4  Trainer's written assessment of progress

TAB 3 — BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION
  3.1  Certified behaviorist's written report (Template 6)
  3.2  Behaviorist's credentials
  3.3  Management protocol recommended, and steps taken to implement it

TAB 4 — VETERINARY
  4.1  Complete records showing no history of aggression
  4.2  Sterilization certificate
  4.3  Microchip registration, current
  4.4  Rabies vaccination certificate, current
  4.5  Letter from the treating veterinarian on handling the animal

TAB 5 — CHARACTER AND HANDLING
  5.1  Groomer's signed statement — how long, how often, any concerns
  5.2  Boarding or daycare facility's signed statement
  5.3  Veterinary technician statements
  5.4  Neighbor statements (each different, each specific)
  5.5  Photographs of the animal in ordinary settings with people

TAB 6 — INSURANCE
  6.1  Current liability policy or quote
  6.2  Written confirmation of coverage amount
  6.3  Binder if obtained

TAB 7 — THE INCIDENT
  7.1  Owner's incident report (Template 1)
  7.2  Witness statements (Template 2)
  7.3  Photographs of the location
  7.4  Evidence supporting any defense: provocation, trespass, defense
       of a person, misidentification
  7.5  Ordinance provisions relied on, with the text

TAB 8 — PROPOSED RESOLUTION
  8.1  One page: the specific conditions the owner proposes to accept,
       what has already been completed, and the designation level
       requested

THREE COPIES PREPARED: [ ] hearing officer  [ ] agency  [ ] mine
INDEX AT THE FRONT: [ ]   ALL PAGES NUMBERED: [ ]

8. Pre-hearing negotiation script

CALL TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL SUPERVISOR — before the hearing

Prepare first: have the remediation package COMPLETE. This conversation
works because of what you have already done, not what you promise.

OPENING
  "My name is ______________. I'm the owner in case number ______, with
  a hearing scheduled for ________. I'm not calling to argue about the
  incident. I'm calling because I've already completed some things and I
  want to know what resolution your office would consider."

WHAT YOU'VE DONE — list it plainly, no adjectives
  "Since I received the notice I have:
    - installed a ______-foot enclosure with a self-closing locking gate
      and posted signage;
    - had a certified behaviorist evaluate [animal], and I have her
      written report;
    - enrolled in a [__]-week [training program] and completed [__]
      sessions;
    - confirmed sterilization and current microchip registration;
    - obtained a liability insurance [quote / binder] for $ ______."

THE ASK — be specific
  "I'd like to know whether your office would consider [a stipulated
  potentially dangerous designation / resolving this without a
  designation / a designation with the conditions I've already met]."

THEN LISTEN. Write down exactly what they say.

IF THEY WANT SOMETHING MORE
  "I can do that. How long do I have, and what proof do you need?"

IF THEY SAY NO
  "I understand. Can you tell me what the office will be asking the
  hearing officer for, so I can prepare?"
  [This is a legitimate question and the answer is very useful.]

CLOSING — always
  "Can I bring the package by so you can look at it before the hearing?"
  "Who should I follow up with, and by when?"

AFTER THE CALL
  [ ] Write down: date, time, name, title, exactly what was said
  [ ] Send a short confirming email: "Thank you for speaking with me
      today. As discussed, I will ______ by ______, and you will
      ______." Keep a copy.
  [ ] If a stipulation is offered, GET IT IN WRITING and read every
      condition before agreeing. Confirm what happens if a condition
      later becomes impossible (e.g., insurance is non-renewed).

9. Notice of appeal

[Date]     FILE WITHIN THE ORDINANCE'S DEADLINE: ____/____/______

[Court or appellate body identified in the ordinance]
[Address]

NOTICE OF APPEAL

RE: In re [animal name], case number ______________
    Appellant/Owner: ______________
    Decision dated: ____/____/______, received ____/____/______
    Deciding body: ______________________

Notice is given that ______________ appeals the decision described
above, designating [animal] as [designation] and imposing the following
conditions: ______________________________.

GROUNDS FOR APPEAL

  1. The evidence was insufficient to support the designation under
     [ordinance section ______], which requires ______________________.
     [State what the evidence actually showed.]

  2. The decision failed to consider [provocation / trespass / defense
     of a person / defense of young], which is [an element / a defense]
     under section ______. [State the facts.]

  3. Procedural error: [no proper notice was given / the hearing was
     held outside the required period / I was denied the opportunity to
     [present witnesses / cross-examine / be represented] / the file was
     not provided in advance despite a timely request].

  4. The conditions imposed exceed those authorized by section ______,
     or are not supported by the findings.

  5. The animal was misidentified. [State the basis.]

  6. Other: ______________________________

RELIEF REQUESTED
  [ ] Reversal of the designation
  [ ] Reduction to a lesser designation
  [ ] Modification of the conditions imposed, specifically ____________
  [ ] Remand for a new hearing
  [ ] A stay of the designation and conditions pending this appeal

STAY REQUEST
  Appellant requests a stay of [the destruction order / the conditions]
  pending resolution of this appeal. [State the irreparable harm.]

ATTACHED
  [ ] The decision appealed from
  [ ] The notice and hearing record
  [ ] The ordinance sections at issue
  [ ] Proof of timely filing

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address]
[Counsel, if any]
Filed and served on ____/____/______ by ______________

10. Reasonable accommodation request (assistance animal in housing)

[Date]

[Landlord / property manager / HOA board]
[Address]

RE: Request for reasonable accommodation
    Resident: ______________
    Unit/address: ______________________________

I am requesting a reasonable accommodation to your [no-pet policy / pet
weight limit / breed restriction / pet fee requirement] under fair
housing law.

1. I have a disability as defined by fair housing law. [You are not
   required to disclose your diagnosis.]

2. I have an assistance animal that provides disability-related
   assistance or emotional support. The animal is a [species, breed,
   name, weight, age].

3. The accommodation I request is: permission to keep this animal in my
   home, without application of [the no-pet policy / the weight or breed
   restriction / pet rent, pet fees, or a pet deposit].

4. Documentation. [Where the disability and the need are not obvious:]
   Enclosed is documentation from ______________, [credential], who has
   knowledge of my disability and of my disability-related need for this
   animal.

5. My responsibilities. I understand and agree that:
   - I remain responsible for the animal's behavior;
   - I remain responsible for any damage the animal causes;
   - I will comply with all rules regarding noise, waste, leashing in
     common areas, and vaccination and licensing requirements;
   - the accommodation does not permit nuisance behavior.

6. Legal points, respectfully noted:
   - Pet fees, pet rent, and pet deposits generally do not apply to an
     assistance animal.
   - Breed, size, and weight restrictions generally do not apply.
   - An assistance animal in housing need not be a dog and need not be
     individually trained.
   - A denial based on a direct threat requires an individualized
     assessment of THIS animal's actual conduct, not breed or
     speculation.

Please respond in writing by ____/____/______. If you need additional
information, please tell me specifically what you need and I will
provide what I can.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Email] · [Unit]

---
PROVIDER DOCUMENTATION — give this structure to your provider

[Provider letterhead]     [Date]

To Whom It May Concern:

______________ has been [my patient / a client of this practice] since
________. I am a [licensed credential] licensed in [state], license
number ______.

Based on my professional knowledge of [name], [he/she/they] has a
[physical / mental] impairment that substantially limits one or more
major life activities.

[Name] has a disability-related need for an assistance animal.
Specifically, the animal [provides emotional support that alleviates one
or more identified symptoms or effects of the disability / performs the
following task(s): ______________]. In my professional opinion, the
animal is necessary to afford [name] an equal opportunity to use and
enjoy the dwelling.

[Signature, printed name, credential, license number, practice address,
phone]

NOTE: this letter should NOT disclose the diagnosis, and a housing
provider generally may not require it. Online "registration,"
"certification," and vests confer nothing.

11. Veterinary records request and second opinion request

[Date]

[Veterinary practice]
[Address]

RE: Request for complete medical records
    Owner: ______________
    Animal: ______________  Species/breed: ______________
    Dates of care: ________ to ________

I request a complete copy of the medical record for the above animal,
including:

  1. All examination notes and progress notes, including handwritten
     notes
  2. All anesthesia records, including drugs, doses, times, and route
  3. All monitoring records and flow sheets, including vital signs with
     times
  4. All laboratory results and the dates ordered and reported
  5. All imaging and the radiologist's or reviewer's reports
  6. All surgical reports
  7. All medication and treatment logs
  8. All consent forms I signed
  9. All estimates and itemized invoices
 10. All communications with me, including phone notes and messages
 11. Any incident report or internal note regarding the outcome
 12. Any necropsy report or laboratory submission
 13. Referral records to or from any other practice

Please provide these in electronic form if available. If there is a
copying fee, please advise the amount before processing.

I am entitled to these records, and I request them within [state's
required period, or "ten business days"].

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address] · [Email]

---
REQUEST FOR SECOND OPINION REVIEW

[Date]

[Reviewing veterinarian]

RE: Request for record review — [animal name]

I am asking you to review the enclosed medical record and provide a
written opinion on the following:

  1. What was the standard of care for [the procedure / the presenting
     condition] in an animal of this [species, age, condition]?

  2. Does the record show that the standard was met? If not, in what
     specific respects does it depart?

  3. Specifically:
     - Was appropriate pre-procedure workup performed for an animal of
       this age and condition? What is customary?
     - Was monitoring appropriate and documented?
     - Was the response to any complication appropriate and timely?
     - Was informed consent adequate given what the record shows was
       disclosed?

  4. In your opinion, is there a causal relationship between any
     departure and the outcome? Please state your reasoning.

  5. Would a necropsy have been necessary or helpful to determine cause
     of death? [If applicable and if the animal has not been cremated,
     please advise immediately — this decision cannot be undone.]

ENCLOSED: complete medical record · itemized invoice · consent forms ·
my written account of the events and communications

Please advise your fee for the review and for a written report. Please
also indicate whether you would be willing to provide testimony if
required.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Email]

12. Veterinary licensing board complaint

[Date]

[State Board of Veterinary Medicine]
[Address]

RE: Complaint against ______________, DVM, license number ______
    Practice: ______________________________
    Complainant: ______________

I am filing a complaint concerning the care provided to my [species],
[name], on ____/____/______.

1. WHAT HAPPENED — chronological and factual
   ______________________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________________

2. WHAT THE RECORD SHOWS
   The complete medical record is enclosed. It shows:
   [ ] No pre-anesthetic laboratory work was performed, for an animal
       aged ______.
   [ ] Monitoring entries are absent from ________ to ________.
   [ ] No intravenous access was established.
   [ ] The record contains no entry for ______________________.
   [ ] The record is internally inconsistent: ______________________
   [ ] Other: ______________________________

3. PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
   Enclosed is a written review by ______________, DVM, dated ________,
   which concludes: "[quote the key sentence]."

4. COMMUNICATIONS
   [What I was told, by whom, and when. Attach messages.]

5. WHAT I AM ASKING THE BOARD TO DO
   Investigate whether the care met the standard required of a licensee,
   and take whatever action the Board deems appropriate. I understand
   the Board does not award damages.

ENCLOSED
  [ ] Complete medical record
  [ ] Itemized invoices
  [ ] Consent forms
  [ ] Second opinion / review letter
  [ ] Necropsy report, if any
  [ ] Correspondence with the practice
  [ ] My written chronology

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address] · [Email]

NOTE: this is free, it is investigated, and it creates a permanent
record. For most owners it is the most meaningful available remedy,
because damages in court are limited by the property classification in
many states.

13. Footage and evidence preservation demand

Send the same day. Retention periods are short.

[Date]     DELIVER TODAY — BY EMAIL AND HAND DELIVERY

[Facility name]
[Address]

RE: DEMAND TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE
    Owner: ______________  Animal: ______________
    Dates of stay/service: ________ to ________
    Incident date: ____/____/______

My animal sustained injuries while in your care on ____/____/______.
I am formally demanding that you PRESERVE, and not delete, overwrite,
alter, or destroy, the following:

  1. ALL VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS from every camera on the premises,
     interior and exterior, for the period ________ to ________. This
     includes recordings that would ordinarily be overwritten on your
     retention schedule.
  2. All incident reports, injury reports, and internal notes
  3. All daily care logs, feeding logs, and observation records for my
     animal
  4. Staffing schedules and time records for the relevant period
  5. The intake record and any condition notation at drop-off
  6. Records of every other animal present in the same area during the
     period, including any incident involving those animals
  7. All communications about this incident, internal and external,
     including text messages and messaging application content
  8. Training records for staff on duty
  9. Any veterinary care obtained by you for my animal
 10. Your policies on supervision, group play, and incident response as
     they existed on the date

Please confirm in writing within three business days that these
materials have been preserved, and identify your video retention period
and the date on which the relevant footage would otherwise be
overwritten.

I also request copies of items 2, 3, 5, and 9, and an opportunity to
view the video recordings.

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Email] · [Address]
Delivered by: [ ] email to ____________ at ________
              [ ] hand delivery, received by ____________ at ________
              [ ] certified mail, tracking ____________

14. Pet purchase protection notice

[Date]     SEND WITHIN THE STATUTORY PERIOD — CHECK IT: ______ days

[Seller name]
[Address]

RE: Notice under [state]'s pet purchase protection law
    Animal: ______________  Purchased: ____/____/______
    Purchase price: $ ____________
    Litter/registration/ID: ______________

I am giving notice under [state statute, section ______] that the animal
I purchased from you is [ill / has a congenital or hereditary defect].

VETERINARY FINDING
  Examined by: ______________, DVM, on ____/____/______
  Diagnosis: ______________________________
  The veterinarian's written certification is enclosed and states:
  "[quote the operative sentence]."
  In the veterinarian's opinion, the condition [was present at the time
  of sale / is congenital or hereditary].

WHAT WAS REPRESENTED TO ME
  [ ] You stated the animal was healthy.
  [ ] You provided a health certificate dated ________.
  [ ] You provided no health certificate or vaccination records.
      [Note: many states REQUIRE these disclosures at sale.]
  [ ] Your advertisement stated: "______________________"
  [ ] You provided a written health guarantee, enclosed.

THE REMEDY I AM ELECTING
  [ ] Return of the animal for a full refund of the purchase price and
      associated costs
  [ ] Exchange for an animal of equivalent value
  [ ] I WISH TO KEEP THE ANIMAL and recover veterinary expenses incurred
      in treating the condition, up to the amount permitted by statute.
      Expenses to date: $ ______. Invoices enclosed.
      [This third option is available under most such statutes and is
      what most buyers actually want.]

Please respond in writing within [__] days. If I do not receive a
response, I will pursue [a credit card chargeback / a complaint with the
state consumer protection office / a complaint with the department of
agriculture / an action in small claims court], and I will seek any
attorney's fees and multiple damages permitted by [state] consumer
protection law.

ENCLOSED: veterinary certification · invoices · sales contract ·
advertisement · health records provided (or note of their absence) ·
proof of payment

______________________  ·  [Phone] · [Address] · [Email]
Sent by certified mail, tracking ____________, and by email on ________

15. Pet trust worksheet

PET TRUST — INFORMATION FOR DRAFTING

THE ANIMALS — identify specifically to prevent substitution
  Name ____________ Species/breed ____________ DOB ________
    MICROCHIP NUMBER: ______________  Registry: ____________
    Distinguishing marks: ______________________
  Name ____________ Species/breed ____________ DOB ________
    MICROCHIP NUMBER: ______________  Registry: ____________
  [Include a clause covering animals acquired after execution.]

CAREGIVER
  Primary:   ______________  Phone ____________ Address ____________
    Has agreed: [ ]  Date discussed: ________
  Alternate: ______________  Phone ____________ Address ____________
    Has agreed: [ ]
  Second alternate: ______________
  If no caregiver will serve: [ ] named rescue/sanctuary: ____________
    (confirm they accept, and whether they require a donation)

TRUSTEE — should be a DIFFERENT person from the caregiver
  Trustee: ______________  Phone ____________
  Successor trustee: ______________
  Duty: hold and disburse funds, and require the caregiver to account

FUNDING — be realistic; courts may reduce an excessive amount
  Annual costs, estimated:
    Food                              $ ________
    Routine veterinary and vaccines   $ ________
    Preventatives and medications     $ ________
    Grooming                          $ ________
    Boarding when the caregiver travels $ ______
    Supplies and replacement items    $ ________
    Insurance, if any                 $ ________
    ANNUAL TOTAL                      $ ________
  Remaining life expectancy: ______ years
  Subtotal:                           $ ________
  End-of-life and emergency reserve:  $ ________
  Caregiver compensation, if any:     $ ________ per ________
  Trustee compensation:               $ ________
  TOTAL FUNDING:                      $ ________
  Funded by: [ ] trust assets  [ ] life insurance  [ ] POD account

CARE INSTRUCTIONS — attach as a schedule
  Veterinarian: ______________  Phone ____________
  Diet, brand, amount, schedule: ______________________
  Medications and doses: ______________________
  Known conditions: ______________________
  Temperament and triggers: ______________________
  Routine, exercise, sleeping arrangements: ______________________
  Do NOT: ______________________
  Preferences on end-of-life care: ______________________
  Whether the animals must be kept together: ______________

ENFORCEMENT
  Person with standing to enforce and to demand an accounting:
    ______________________
  Accounting frequency: ______________
  Caregiver may be replaced by: ______________

REMAINDER
  On the last animal's death, remaining funds pass to: ______________

IMMEDIATE-TERM PLAN — a will is not read for days or weeks
  [ ] Card in wallet: "In an emergency, my animals are at [address].
      Contact ______________ at ______________."
  [ ] Neighbor with a key who knows the plan: ______________
  [ ] Written instructions on the refrigerator
  [ ] Short-term funds accessible to the caregiver: $ ______, held by
      ______________ / POD account number ______________
  [ ] Emergency contact posted at the front and back doors

INCAPACITY
  [ ] Durable power of attorney includes authority to arrange and PAY
      FOR animal care — a single sentence most POAs omit

16. Emergency caregiver card and door notice

WALLET CARD — print, cut, carry

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  IN AN EMERGENCY: I HAVE ANIMALS AT HOME             │
│                                                      │
│  Address: ______________________________             │
│  Animals: ____ dogs  ____ cats  ____ other: ______   │
│                                                      │
│  Caregiver:  ______________  ______________          │
│  Alternate:  ______________  ______________          │
│  Neighbor with a key: ______________  ____________   │
│                                                      │
│  Veterinarian: ______________  ______________        │
│  Instructions are posted on the refrigerator.        │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

DOOR NOTICE — post at the front and back doors

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ANIMALS INSIDE                                      │
│                                                      │
│  ____ dogs   ____ cats   ____ other: ______________  │
│  Names and descriptions:                             │
│    ______________________________________            │
│    ______________________________________            │
│                                                      │
│  In an emergency, please contact:                    │
│    ______________  ______________                    │
│    ______________  ______________                    │
│                                                      │
│  Updated: ________  (review every 6 months)          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

REFRIGERATOR SHEET
  Each animal: name, description, microchip number, veterinarian,
  medications and doses, feeding schedule and amount, temperament
  notes, where supplies are kept, where the carrier and leash are,
  where the records are, and who to call.

Related documents

Templates only, not legal advice. Adapt to your facts and, above all, to your local ordinance and state statute — this area varies enormously. Federal standards at 7 U.S.C. § 2131 and § 2143 govern dealers, exhibitors, and research facilities, not household pets.