Safeguard Your Pet's Future With a Pet Trust

The bond we share with our animal companions is unbreakable and one we carry with us forever. An important part of caring for our furry family members is creating a plan in the event that we become incapable of doing so. This can be a difficult topic and easy to push the thought aside for another time. But, we owe it to our companions who have filled our lives with joy, to ensure their care in the event they must go on without us.

Create a Pet Trust

Creating a pet trust is an important step in ensuring our pets will receive uninterrupted care and comfort when we can no longer provide for them. The first step in creating a pet trust is to determine who will serve as your pet’s caretaker.

Designating a caretaker for your pet’s continued care should be a thoughtful process. Have conversations with close friends and family to determine who is the best fit for your pet’s individual needs. It’s often best to have more than one person designated to carry out your pet’s ongoing care in the event that anyone’s circumstances change.

You may also consult an estate planning professional to assist you with your pet trust. Your estate representative can help make sure your wishes are properly explained in your will and other important documents.

Plan Ahead for Emergencies

It may not seem necessary to create a pet supply kit today, but it will be hugely helpful if you find yourself in any emergency situation without the ability to track down the proper supplies. If possible, your kit should include:

  • Name and contact information for the person who can care for your pets
  • Name and contact information for your backup in case your go-to is no longer able to help
  • Food, treats, a leash, a couple of toys, and any other supplies necessary to care for your pet for at least two weeks
  • A crate or carrier to transport your pet
  • Vaccination records
  • Collar with ID tags (don’t forget to make sure their microchip info is up to date)
  • Medications and prescriptions, along with instructions
  • Daily care instructions
  • Your vet's contact information

A wallet card, keychain, or front door sticker that states that there are pets in the home (how many, species, etc) can be a valuable resource to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency so pets in the home are not overlooked.

If you have questions about estate planning and pet trusts, please reach out to Stacey Price, Director of Development & Marketing at sprice@dakinhumane.org.

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