Why Plan For Your Pet

What if you are seriously injured in a car accident on your way home after work? What if your spouse is out of town and you are rushed to the emergency room? Who will ensure that your pet is fed and cared for in your absence? And, yes, what if you die? Who will take care of your pet for the rest of its life?

Hopefully, you will outlive your pet. But, truth be told, you have no idea when you will die – only that it will happen sometime. Everyone should plan for the care of their pet in the case of disability or death. Some circumstances make it even more vital for pet owners to plan ahead for the short term and lifelong care of their pet.

If your pet has special needs, you live alone, are advanced in age, suffer from a chronic illness, have a pet with a long life expectancy, or have multiple pets; you need to plan ahead NOW.

If your pet has special needs, you need to identify a short term and long term caregiver. Detailed instructions for their special care must be written down and readily available for the caregivers. Have the prospective caregivers actually provide care for the pet under your supervision to ensure that they understand and can execute the care. They may think that they can administer a shot twice a day, but when they actually try to do it they might be too afraid. You also need to consider how the additional medical costs will be paid for your pet’s needs.

If you live alone, are advanced in age, or suffer from a chronic illness, it is vitally important that you identify a short term caregiver. If you are rushed to the hospital, someone who has agreed, is available, and is knowledgeable about your pet’s care, would immediately need to step in.

If you have multiple pets and want for them to stay together, you will need to find a very special person who is willing to assume responsibility for your pets. Multiple pets also mean a larger financial bill. I have four dogs and try my best to take one dog per quarter to the veterinarian to spread out the medical bills. I can’t buy just one toy or one new dog bed. Food, vitamins and treats also disappear more rapidly with multiple pets. The multiple pet owner has a larger financial responsibility for the future care of their pets without them.

If you have a pet with a long life expectancy, it is more likely that your pet will outlive you. You may need to plan for a succession of caregivers. Because your pet may outlive the next caregiver, planning for your pet’s financial security is even more important. Just giving money to the next caregiver does not ensure that the funds will be passed to the next caregiver.

Future articles will discuss what legally happens to your pets when you die or are incapacitated and what legal arrangements you can make. A responsible loving pet owner won’t leave a pet’s future to chance.

Copyright © 2009 Jake Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.