Preparing for the Unthinkable
It’s hard to imagine our pets outliving us. Worse yet is thinking about how uncomfortable they may feel in a new home while grieving the loss of their favorite human.
As difficult as it is to consider this possibility, I encourage you to prepare for it in a way that will protect your pets.
Just as you are encouraged to create paperwork that makes it undeniably clear who will inherit your possessions and assume guardianship of your children, so too should you specify in writing who will take care of your pets.
Things to consider
Select the person(s) you want to either assume guardianship or be responsible for assigning guardianship. Confirm their agreement and be as specific as possible about the quality of care you would expect.
Once a year or so, check in with your intended guardian to confirm their commitment. You can also fill them in on how your pet’s needs may have changed.
Set up a plan that will provide financially for your pets for the remainder of their lives. Most laws view animals as property. This means they can’t directly inherit money or assets.
Pet Trusts
Even if you’re a younger person (cause ya never know), I encourage you to set up a pet trust, a legal document that specifies who will take your pets how you want them cared for when you’re gone. The trust will take effect should you become incapacitated or in the event of your death. (Sorry, I know this stuff is hard to think about.)
A trust is a legally binding document that can include specific care instructions (diet, exercise, medical care, end-of-life decision making, etc.). It can also specify allocation of money for your pets once you can no longer care for them.
Pet trusts exist in every state within the United States. You can find DIY pet trust templates on line, but their validity may vary from state to state. Consider enlisting help from an attorney.
Just think of the peace of mind you’ll have once you get this done!
How have you planned for your pets’ future should you no longer be able to care for them?
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,
Dr. Nancy
drnancykay.com
In both California and Florida, I have encountered organizations who will care for pets whose owners are deceased and who had no one they knew to care for the their beloved pets. The organizations take care of the animals at no charge until the pets can be re-homed to another loving home. I would hope that this is true in other states.
With respect to the pet trusts, please be sure to use an attorney who is familiar with pet trusts enough to know that the trust should not necessarily be set up to end at the pet's death; when money is involved with a pet trust and the pet's death is considered, there is a potential for greed by someone or something to win and, sadly, the pet could be euthanized.
Great advice. I’ve advocated for adding pet placement advice and options to bereavement packets for families of hospice patients. So important.