What Would Happen to Your Pets If You Weren't Here?

6 days ago

3 min read

Anyone who has ever shared their home with an animal knows that the word "pet" doesn't quite describe the relationship.

They're part of the rhythm of everyday life. The dog knows exactly when the morning walk should happen. The cat somehow identifies the most expensive chair in the house and immediately claims it as their own. Feeding times are observed with a precision that would impress an air traffic controller.

They become part of our families, our routines and, quite often, our happiest memories.

Yet when people think about estate planning, animals are surprisingly easy to overlook.

Most owners have probably thought, at least casually, about what would happen to their pets if something happened to them. Often the answer is reassuringly simple: "My daughter would have them," or, "My friend loves the dog, so she'd take him."

But has anyone actually asked?

A Loving Assumption Isn't Quite a Plan

The person you have in mind may adore your animal but still be unable to take responsibility for it.

They might live in rented accommodation where pets aren't permitted. They may already have animals that wouldn't tolerate another one. Their working hours could make caring for a dog impractical, or someone in their household may have allergies.

Circumstances change too. The friend who would happily take your cat today may be living somewhere completely different ten years from now.

None of this means we need elaborate arrangements for every conceivable possibility. It simply means that a conversation is considerably better than an assumption.

For an animal that has spent its life depending on you, planning for its future is simply another form of love.

Who Would They Be Happy With?

There's another consideration that is easily missed. The person we instinctively choose isn't necessarily the person our animal would choose.

An older dog accustomed to a quiet household might find a busy home with young children overwhelming. An indoor cat may struggle if moved somewhere where they're expected to roam outside. Two animals that have lived together for many years may be deeply bonded, making it preferable for them to remain together if possible.

Thinking about their personality and routine can be just as important as deciding who should care for them.

A simple conversation with the prospective carer can cover these things long before they become urgent.

What About the Cost?

Caring for an animal isn't free, particularly as pets grow older. Food, insurance, veterinary treatment, medication, grooming and boarding costs can add up considerably.

Some owners therefore choose to make financial provision alongside arrangements for their pets. The important point is that money cannot simply be left directly to an animal in a Will as though the pet were a human beneficiary.

Instead, appropriate arrangements can be made for funds to pass to a person or organisation in connection with the animal's care. The precise structure needs careful thought because circumstances can change, including the possibility that the pet may not survive its owner.

As ever, the objective is not to make the arrangement unnecessarily complicated. It is simply to make sure your wishes have a realistic chance of working.

Leave the Little Things Too

Money and legal arrangements are only part of the story.

Someone suddenly taking responsibility for your pet may need to know which vet you use, what food they eat, whether they take medication and whether there are particular routines or behaviours they should understand.

Does the dog panic during thunderstorms? Does the cat need to remain indoors? Is there a particular kennel or cattery you trust? Are two pets inseparable?

These may sound like small details, but to the person taking over their care, and to the animal suddenly facing a major change, they can matter enormously.

A short written note kept with your other important information can be invaluable.

Part of the Family

Estate planning inevitably asks us to think about the people who depend upon us. Children are the obvious example, but dependence comes in many forms.

Our animals don't understand Wills, executors or contingency planning. They simply understand that a particular person provides their food, opens the door, scratches behind their ears and occupies a familiar place in their world.

If that person suddenly disappears, their world changes too.

Planning for what happens next isn't gloomy. Nor is it excessive.

It's simply accepting a responsibility we took on the day we brought them home.

And perhaps, after a lifetime of companionship, making sure they're safe and loved when we're no longer able to care for them is one final promise worth keeping.