Despite a pet’s short life expectancy, the pet may out live you.  This is especially true now that medical intervention results in longer life expectancies for pets than in the past.  Proper planning can provide for a care plan not only in the event of death but also incapacity.

You can provide for a temporary emergency caregiver in the event that something unexpected happens to you – providing them with keys to your home, feeding and care instructions, the name of your veterinarian, and information about permanent care instructions. Planning can lead to peace of mind, reducing the anxiety that many pet owners experience when they envision their beloved pet living without them. There is no assurance that if you leave money to someone outright to care for your pet that they will do what they promised to do. Providing an orderly plan for your pet is the responsible and loving thing to do.

If you are no longer able to provide for the care of your pet, a Pet Trust can ensure that there are funds available and a care taking system in place to care for you pet. A Pet Trust is a legal document you can create to ensure that your pets will be cared for as you yourself have cared for them.

• Appoint a Caregiver and at least one backup Caregiver to provide care for your pet
• Appoint a Trustee to make sure that the Caregiver is doing his or her job
• Protect the money designated for the pet and ensure that it lasts for the duration of the pet’s life
• Give directions regarding health care needs, exercise needs, diet needs, preferred veterinarian, and burial/cremation plans for your pet
• Provide a method for finding a Caregiver in the event that the Caregiver or the backup Caregiver you have selected is unavailable.