Planning For Continuing Care

To plan for your pet’s care after you die, you should designate a trustworthy caregiver, provide them with funds for the pet’s expenses, and create a legal document like a pet trust or will to ensure your wishes are followed. A pet trust is a legally binding document that names a caregiver, sets aside money for the pet’s care, and details specific instructions, while a will can appoint a pet guardian and allocate funds but has less enforceable directives for care. You should also have backup caretakers, discuss your plans with them, and keep your vet informed of your arrangements. 

  • Choose carefully: Select someone who is willing, able, and preferably an animal lover who knows your pet and their needs. 
  • Have a conversation: Talk to your chosen caregiver to ensure they are prepared to accept the responsibility. 
  • Name backups: Appoint one or more alternate caregivers in case your primary choice becomes unable to care for the pet.
  • Estimate costs: Calculate the expenses for your pet’s food, veterinary care, grooming, and other supplies.
  • Create a care fund: Set aside money to cover these costs for the pet’s lifetime, including potential unexpected medical expenses.
  • Pet Trust: This is a legally enforceable document that designates funds to a trustee for a caregiver to manage the pet’s care. You can specify diet, routine, and veterinary preferences. 
  • Will: Include a clause in your will that names a pet guardian and leaves assets to that person to cover the pet’s expenses. However, instructions for the pet’s care in a will are not legally binding. 
  • Personalized care: Write out specific instructions about your pet’s diet, favorite toys, daily routine, preferred veterinarian, and end-of-life wishes. 
  • Document locations: Include the location of your pet’s veterinarian and provide the vet with the caregiver’s name and contact information. 
  • Your vet: Inform your veterinarian of your plans and the name of your pet’s designated caregiver. 
  • Key contacts: Make sure your caregiver, trustee, executor, and close family members have copies of the agreement or trust documents. 

Train your pet to behave well and socialize them to be comfortable with people and other animals, which also helps them adjust to different environments. 

  • Animal organizations: If you cannot find a suitable caregiver, you can arrange for an animal charity or humane society to care for or rehome your pet. 
  • Pet Protection Agreements: For a less costly option than a trust, you can use a Pet Protection Agreement, which is a notarized agree