What will happen to your pet when you die?

Never mind what happens to your jewellery or antiques collection when you die – your four-legged friend is likely far more important to you.

How they’ll be cared for once you’re gone is likely to be a big worry, especially as you start getting older or your health deteriorates.

But it’s important not to rely on assumptions or informal agreements.

Just as you plan for what happens to your money and your possessions when you die, you should also put in place formal plans for what should happen to your pets.

Doing so will mean they get to continue the way of life they’re used to, and you get the peace of mind knowing that they’ll be looked after in the right way.

Choosing the right person

The first step to making sure your pet is cared for after your death is finding the right person for the job – and experts believe it needs to be more than just someone who ‘likes animals’.

Dr Maja Platisa, a vet at PetKeen, says the person you choose should be someone who “understands what your pet means to you, will cherish them and give them a life filled with joy, adventures, exercise, games and love”.

There are also plenty of practical considerations to think about: you might have an animal lover in your life that you’d trust to look after your pet, but do they have the space to care for them?

Do they have other pets or children that need to be considered? How do their other commitments, like a work schedule or their own family, match up with your pet’s lifestyle?

Once you've chosen the person, or people, you’d like to look after your pet, it’s important to discuss the finer details of what you’d like them to do.

Conversations about death and estate management can be uncomfortable, but putting them off can result in confusion and delays once you're gone.

“Without a plan in place, pets can end up in shelters or worse, facing euthanasia if no one is able to take care of them,” explains Nick Horniman, veterinary surgeon and founder of the online pet pharmacy My Pets Vet.

“It’s crucial to have an open discussion with [your chosen caregiver] to confirm their willingness and ability to provide long-term care.”

It makes sense to choose a back-up too. Circumstances can change quickly and it’s worth having a second suitable caregiver lined up to look after your pet if the worst were to happen.

If you can’t find someone perfect, don’t panic. You can turn to charities that have schemes designed to give you peace of mind. They ensure your pet will be properly cared for in the event of your death, are usually free and can be a good safety net.

The RSPCA’s Home for Life plan will take care of your pet and try to rehome them, while The Dogs Trust and The Cats Protection League have similar processes in place.

You could also look at The Cinnamon Trust, which has sanctuaries for short-term accommodation and a network of foster carers for more long-term care.

Some charities suggest donating in your will if you’ll use their services – this isn’t mandatory, but it’s something you might like to consider, especially if the charity in question survives on legacy donations.

Making it official

Once everyone has agreed what will happen to your pet, it’s time to put it in writing.

Natasha Southam, from the law firm Seddons, says that under the law, pets are treated as “personal chattels” or possessions, meaning that they can be “gifted” in the same way as cars or paintings – even if that does feel like an odd way to describe a much-loved member of the family.

There are two main ways to 'gift' your pet, and the right approach will depend on your circumstances and the type of pet - getting professional advice here can help you decide the best solution for you.

You could leave them to the executors of the will, who would then be responsible for rehoming your pet. From there you would outline your chosen caregivers and any other instructions in an accompanying letter of wishes.

The other option is to name the intended caregiver as a beneficiary in the will and gift the pet to them outright. Again, this would need to be supported by a letter of wishes, so you know they’re clear on what needs to happen.

Southam adds: “Careful wording of the gift, including the definition of the pet or pets, is very important to ensure that it takes effect.

“For example, if the gift should apply to any dog that is owned on the [will-maker's] death, as opposed to a specifically-named dog, then this should be made clear to avoid the gift failing if the dog has since died and been replaced.”

Money matters

You can’t leave money to your pet in your will. However, you can consider leaving some to whoever you have chosen to take care of your pet, to help them with the extra financial costs.

Another option is to set up a pet trust. This is a legal arrangement that funds your pet's costs when you’re gone. You can put money into the trust, choose trustees (who manage the money allocated to your pet’s welfare), and leave instructions for the caregiver.

The benefit of using a trust is that the trustees are legally obliged to follow your wishes in terms of how the money is used, but you will need to get legal advice if you wish to set up a trust.

Whatever you decide, it’s important you keep your plans up to date.

“Your circumstances, relationships, family members and the law change, so it is critical to keep wills and any other estate planning under review,” says Tim Snaith, partner at the law firm Winckworth Sherwood. “As a minimum we tend to suggest a proper review every five years.” 

The dogged details

Don’t fall short at the final hurdle. If you’ve managed to pin down suitable and willing caregivers and set up the legal structure for everything to happen smoothly, make sure you plan for the transition.

If your chosen caregivers live nearby, it’s worth agreeing a short-term plan to keep your pet safe, and well looked-after, in the hours and days after of your death.

If they are further away, ask neighbours or local friends if they can be a helping hand in the immediate aftermath.

Make sure your pet is microchipped, with up-to-date vaccinations and has an ID tag with your contact details and a second phone number, just in case.

You should also ensure your chosen caregivers have everything they need to help your pet settle in its new home as seamlessly as possible.

“Create a folder with detailed information about your pet, including its medical history, special dietary needs, favourite toys and quirky behaviours,” suggests Chris Allen, founder of Oodle Life, a portal for family dog advice.

“You also need to take care of your relationship with your chosen caregiver by giving them regular updates and going over your plans every so often. 

“By putting together this complex web of care, you not only give yourself peace of mind, but more importantly, you give your pet the gift of a safe and well-planned future after you die.”

Key takeaways

1. Spend time thinking about who will be right to look after your pet – don't be afraid to have multiple conversations with different people.

2. Create a folder with all the necessary information in place for the day-to-day care of your pet.

3. Have a plan in place for someone to come and look after your pet if you die suddenly.

4. Think about how you intend to ‘pass on’ your pet to someone else.

5. Consider gifting money in your will (or setting up a trust) to ensure your pet’s costs are met.

6. If you’re using an animal charity service, think about a legacy donation in your will to help.