Protect Your Pet with a Pet Trust

As a caregiver, you’re accustomed to planning for events that benefit you and your loved one, such as making sure there’s a will, that all accounts are in order and accessible should something happen either to you or the person you’re caring for. Just as you make provisions for family members, it’s just as important to establish provisions for your loved one’s pets. There have been many instances where people have died, and hadn’t made any arrangements for their pet, and it ended up in a shelter or even put to death. In fact, more than 500,000 pets are euthanized in shelters and veterinary offices every year, after their owners die. In many states, you can set up a traditional trust, which provides instructions for the pet’s care, appoints a caregiver and it also appoints a trustee to manage the money in the trust. This is a legal document that allows you to control how the pet will be cared for once your loved one has passed on. Should the caregiver of the pet not be doing a good job, the trustee can find a new caregiver. Check with your attorney to find out if your state allows a pet trust, and if it doesn’t, you can make a Pet Protection Agreement which allows you to name a pet guardian and leave fund’s for the pet’s care. Your loved one's furry companion deserves the same care.