RESOURCES
Planning Your Pet's Future
It is important to think about who would care for your pets in the event of your inability, illness, or even death, and to implement a plan to prevent your pets from ending up in a shelter where their future remains uncertain.
Without written plans in place, many dogs and cats who have been lifelong family members end up at shelters, through no fault of their own. Pets who have lived together for years might be split up. In either case, your pet will be confused about why they’re in a strange, noisy environment and you haven’t come to pick them up.
Without written plans in place, many dogs and cats who have been lifelong family members end up at shelters, through no fault of their own. Pets who have lived together for years might be split up. In either case, your pet will be confused about why they’re in a strange, noisy environment and you haven’t come to pick them up.
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Post Removable “In Case Of Emergency” Notices On Your
Doors Or Windows It should specify how many and what types of pets you have. These notices will alert emergency response personnel during a fire or other home emergency. Don’t use stickers; they’re difficult to remove and are often left behind by former residents, so firefighters may assume that the sticker is outdated or even risk their lives trying to find a pet no longer in the house. Select Pet Parents You Trust
Some people assume that their siblings or parents will be happy to take the pet. But in many cases, this isn’t true. Discuss your pet’s future with friends as well as family to choose a primary caregiver and at least one backup. And check in with them periodically to make sure they’re still willing and able to step in should something happen to you. Put the agreement in writing and notify family and your emergency caregivers so that the transition goes smoothly for your pet. |
Create A Pet Journal For Each Pet
This is a document containing pertinent information about your pet that would be valuable to a potential guardian and/or caregiver in your absence. Even if you don’t have a plan in place for the future care of your pet, this information is vital to helping your pet find a new home faster. Some examples of information to include are:
This document should be kept in a safe but accessible place with your other important pa- pers and copies should be distributed to everyone in your pet’s circle of care. |
Carry A Pet Alert Card In Your Wallet/Purse
This card will alert authorities that you have a pet at home and list two emergency contacts for them to notify if something happens to you.
This card will alert authorities that you have a pet at home and list two emergency contacts for them to notify if something happens to you.
Set Up A Pet Trust
You can also establish a pet trust, or a formal, legal document that names your chosen caregivers, provides instructions for the care of your pet and includes a fund to support your pet’s needs for the remainder of its life.
How much money should you leave? Consider what you spend on your pet annually, including expenses for food, regular veterinary care, medications, grooming, boarding, toys, treats, bedding and any other regular expenses. Multiply that figure by the number of years your pet may be expected to live. Also consider that, as your pet ages, he or she may require additional medical expenses.
To get a start on creating a pet trust, contact an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
You may want to have a third party manage the money, providing the caregivers with funds on a monthly basis. Some sort of permanent identification on your pet, such as a microchip, can be helpful to prevent fraud. And finally, you can even specify if you want the trust manager to make periodic visits to make sure the caregiver home is still suited for the best care of your pet.
Pet trusts aren’t just about financing your pet’s future. You can also list specifics about how your pet should be cared for, from the number of trips to the veterinarian each year to the amount of exercise and type of food your pet should be fed.
You can also establish a pet trust, or a formal, legal document that names your chosen caregivers, provides instructions for the care of your pet and includes a fund to support your pet’s needs for the remainder of its life.
How much money should you leave? Consider what you spend on your pet annually, including expenses for food, regular veterinary care, medications, grooming, boarding, toys, treats, bedding and any other regular expenses. Multiply that figure by the number of years your pet may be expected to live. Also consider that, as your pet ages, he or she may require additional medical expenses.
To get a start on creating a pet trust, contact an attorney who specializes in estate planning.
You may want to have a third party manage the money, providing the caregivers with funds on a monthly basis. Some sort of permanent identification on your pet, such as a microchip, can be helpful to prevent fraud. And finally, you can even specify if you want the trust manager to make periodic visits to make sure the caregiver home is still suited for the best care of your pet.
Pet trusts aren’t just about financing your pet’s future. You can also list specifics about how your pet should be cared for, from the number of trips to the veterinarian each year to the amount of exercise and type of food your pet should be fed.
