For many of us, pets are part of the family. In fact, roughly two-thirds of U.S. households owned a pet as of 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association.
We spend plenty of time thinking about their health, happiness, and everyday needs, but there’s one important consideration that often gets overlooked: who would care for them if something happened to us?
While most people associate estate planning with providing for loved ones and distributing assets, it can also help protect the animals that depend on us. By including your pets in your estate plan, you can arrange for their future care, choose someone you trust to look after them, and set aside funds to cover their needs.
Why Pet Planning Belongs in Your Estate Plan
If you were hospitalized, became unable to manage your affairs, or passed away unexpectedly, someone else would need to step in and care for your pet. Without a plan, family members or friends may have to make difficult decisions without knowing your wishes. They may also be unprepared for the time, expense, and responsibility involved.
Including your pets in your estate plan gives you an opportunity to make those decisions in advance. For example, you can:
- Choose a caregiver. Identify someone you trust who is willing and able to provide a loving home for your pet.
- Provide financial support. Set aside money for food, veterinary visits, grooming, medications, and other ongoing expenses.
- Share important instructions. Document your pet’s routines, preferences, health conditions, and special needs to help their new caregiver maintain a familiar environment.
Making these arrangements ahead of time can ease the burden on your loved ones and help your pet continue receiving the attention and care they’re accustomed to.
Key Legal Tools for Pet Care
There are several ways to include pets in your estate plan. The right approach depends on your circumstances, how much control you’d like over their future care, and the laws in your state.
#1: Establish a Pet Trust
A pet trust is a legally enforceable arrangement that allows you to set aside money specifically for the care of one or more pets. Nearly all states recognize pet trusts, and you can structure one to take effect if you become incapacitated, after your death, or in either situation.
With a pet trust, you can:
- Appoint a caregiver who will take responsibility for your pet’s daily needs.
- Name a trustee to manage the funds and oversee payments for your pet’s care.
- Specify how the money should be used, including expenses such as food, grooming, veterinary visits, medications, and boarding.
- Determine what happens to any remaining funds after your pet passes away, whether they go to a family member, charity, or animal welfare organization.
One advantage of a pet trust is that it creates a legal obligation to use the funds according to your instructions. This can be especially helpful if your pet has ongoing medical needs or you’re setting aside a substantial amount for their care.
#2: Include Pet Provisions in Your Will
Another option is to address your pet’s future through your last will and testament. You can name someone to receive and care for your pet and leave that person money to help cover the associated expenses.
Often called a “pet clause,” this approach is generally simpler than establishing a separate trust and may work well if your arrangements are relatively straightforward.
However, there’s an important distinction to understand. Once your chosen caregiver receives the money, those funds legally belong to them. They aren’t necessarily required to spend the money on your pet, even if that was your intention.
If you want greater oversight of how the funds are used, a pet trust may be worth considering.
#3: Address Pet Care in Your Power of Attorney
Estate planning also helps prepare for situations in which you’re still living but temporarily or permanently unable to manage your affairs. For example, if you were hospitalized for an extended period, someone would need the authority to make arrangements for your pet and pay for their care.
By including pet-related provisions in your durable financial power of attorney, you can authorize a trusted person to:
- Use your money to pay for veterinary bills, food, boarding, and other pet-related expenses.
- Arrange temporary or long-term care for your animals.
- Coordinate with shelters, rescue groups, or other organizations if your pet needs a new home.
These provisions can be particularly valuable during an unexpected medical emergency, when having clear instructions and someone authorized to act on your behalf can make a difficult situation easier to manage.
Choosing the Right Caregivers
Legal documents provide a framework for your wishes, but the people you choose to carry them out are just as important.
Primary Caregiver and Alternates
When selecting a caregiver, start with someone who knows your pet and understands their personality and needs. Beyond having a good relationship with your animal, consider whether that person:
- Is comfortable accepting the long-term responsibility of pet ownership.
- Has the time and resources to provide appropriate care.
- Lives in a home and has a lifestyle that can accommodate your pet.
Have a conversation with your preferred caregiver before including them in your estate planning documents. Make sure they understand what’s involved and are genuinely willing to take on the responsibility.
It’s also wise to name at least one alternate. Circumstances can change, and your first choice may not be available when the time comes.
Caregiver vs. Trustee
If you establish a pet trust, you can assign the daily caregiving and financial responsibilities to different people. The caregiver looks after your pet’s everyday needs, while the trustee manages the money you’ve set aside and makes distributions to cover eligible expenses.
Separating these responsibilities can provide additional oversight, particularly when significant funds are involved. It also allows you to choose people whose skills and circumstances are best suited to each role.
Estimating Costs and Funding Pet Care
Once you’ve identified who will care for your pet, the next consideration is how to pay for that care.
Pets can bring years of companionship, but they also come with ongoing expenses. Providing financial support can make it easier for your chosen caregiver to meet those needs without taking on an unexpected financial burden.
Understand Your Pet’s Needs
Start by estimating what it currently costs to care for your pet each year. Consider working with an experienced professional to account for:
- Everyday expenses: Food, treats, litter, grooming, pet insurance, boarding, and routine veterinary visits.
- Medical care: Prescription medications, ongoing treatments, and potential age-related health needs.
- Special requirements: Prescription diets, professional training, or continuing behavioral support.
From there, consider your pet’s expected remaining lifespan and how their expenses might change as they age.
It’s also worth building in extra funds for emergencies, unexpected veterinary bills, and inflation. While you can’t anticipate every expense, a thoughtful estimate can help you determine how much support to provide.
Ways to Provide Funds
There are several options for making money available for your pet’s future care. Depending on your circumstances and overall estate plan, you might:
- Leave a specific dollar amount through your will or trust.
- Designate a percentage of your estate for pet-related expenses.
- Name a pet trust as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement account, or other asset.
Each approach has different considerations, and the amount you set aside should reflect your pet’s needs, available resources, and other financial commitments.
Your estate planning attorney and financial planner can help you evaluate these options and incorporate the appropriate arrangements into your broader financial and estate plan.
Documenting Your Pet’s Daily Life
Even with legal and financial arrangements in place, there are practical details that can make a significant difference in your pet’s well-being.
Think about the information someone would need to care for your animal tomorrow. They may know your pet’s name and personality but have no idea which medications they take, what food they eat, or how they respond to changes in their routine.
Creating a written pet profile, sometimes called a “pet portfolio,” can help make that transition easier.
Consider including the following information:
- Identification: Your pet’s name, breed, microchip number, and date of birth, if known.
- Daily routines: Feeding times, dietary preferences, exercise needs, sleeping arrangements, favorite toys, and activities.
- Medical history: Current health conditions, medications and dosages, allergies, vaccination records, and other relevant information.
- Important contacts: Your veterinarian, emergency animal hospital, groomer, trainer, and any other regular care providers.
You can reference this document in your estate plan and keep a copy somewhere accessible at home.
Remember to review it periodically, especially as your pet ages or their health and care needs change. Keeping this information current can help family members, caregivers, and professional advisors make informed decisions when necessary.
Make Your Pet Part of Your Estate Planning Conversation
Our pets depend on us for their care throughout their lives, and a little preparation can help ensure that care continues if we’re no longer able to provide it ourselves.
Whether you establish a pet trust, include instructions in your will, or simply take the time to choose a trusted caregiver, making arrangements now can make a meaningful difference for both your pet and the people who may eventually care for them.
If you haven’t considered your pets as part of your estate plan, this is a good opportunity to revisit your arrangements. Talk with your estate planning attorney and financial planner about the options available and how to provide for the animals that mean so much to you.
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