Pet Owners
As a pet owner, you undoubtedly love your pets like family members. Like children, your pets aren’t able to take care of themselves. So, planning for your pet’s long-term safety and care should be a part of taking care of them, the same as taking them to the vet for vaccines or when they get injured or sick.
Why Pet Planning is Important
For Your Pets
Pets need someone to care for them and money available to pay for their care expenses – food, vet expenses, grooming, even toys.
But when a pet owner suddenly passes away or is physically unable to provide care, their pets may be left for days or longer without food, water, medication, or a way to relieve themselves. Some pets may even die from a lack of care.
Without proper planning, you’re risking your pets being left without care for an extended period, surrendered to a shelter, euthanized, abandoned, or even sold for research.
For Your Finances
Pet planning may cost money, but there are also costs associated with failing to plan.
- Pets who have been abandoned and left inside a residence can make a terrible mess and cause significant property damage that needs to be paid for by someone.
- Neglected pets often have increased veterinary and grooming expenses and can often be harder to rehome.
- Finally, the costs for veterinary care, grooming, food, and boarding or rehoming may lead to increased estate administration costs.
Never assume that friends or family will care for your pet.
While they may want to care for your pet, they may be unable to due to their own health, finances, or other circumstances. The best plan for your pets is the one you make.