How to Ensure Your Pet is Taken Care Of

For many families their pets are part of their family. You spend tons of money to keep your dog, cat, or other family pet happy and comfortable. What happens if you become unable to care for your pet due to death or severe disability? Learn how to make sure your beloved pet is taken care of if you become unable to do so.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Loved pets.

1. Consider building a small trust for your family pets. Not all states enforce pet trusts but it is a good idea to show people where you want your money sent. The idea is not to leave your pet in luxury but to give your pet a warm loving home, with plenty to eat. If you give your pet to much in a trust it will be more likely over thrown by existing family. In the United states you can contact the National Humane Society for a free kit to get you started.

2. Put it in writing. Just like you would do if you was worried about a child, put a name of a few people that would take your loved pets. Make sure they are in order, the first one who can on your list will care for your pets. Make sure the given names agree to taking in your pets.

3. If you do not have anyone who will be able to take care of you family pet, consider a retirement home that specializes in pets. You would name the retirement home you pick in your trust. They would use the money to take care of your pet. The name of a no kill shelter could also be used in case a large enough trust is not realistic to your budget.

Tips & Warnings

• Always have a plan b.

Resources

• Pet retirement home
• US humane society

[annvans]

on 3/27/2009 Great idea, thanks for sharing.

[ChrissLJ]

on 2/1/2009 My girls are totally expecting their Aunt Lulu and adoring cousins to take care of them if anything happens to me. She is the beneficiary of my life insurance policy for this very reason.

[pattyanniek]

on 12/20/2008 really get info. since I have no family that I could get to take my two pup's this is away to give them the best after am gone. Also I carry with me a note about my loved ones at home , asking , in case am not able to go let my dogs out if I happen , GOD FOR BID in an accindent .

[Foxsong]

on 6/2/2008 I asked a friend who's a lawyer for a good way to nake sure my horse would be provided for, and she suggested that I name the friend who would inherit him as beneficiary of the life insurance policy provided by the union at my job, and put in writing that the money is to go towars the care of the horse. This way the cost of the horse's upkeep would not be a financial burden on my friend.

[showpup]

on 5/27/2008 Great topic for discussion. Far too many well loved pets end up in shelters or worse when their beloved owner's die. I'm my Mom's african grey parrot's Godmother in her will. ;-) A great way to get extra spoiling for your pet from those godmother's and godfather's, too. ;) 5 stars!