Your pet isn't just an animal—they're family. Here's how to make sure they're taken care of if something happens to you.
By Willy Team · October 26, 2025 · 5 min read
Let's be honest: your dog or cat is probably more important to you than most of your human relatives.
They're your best friend, your emotional support, your reason to come home. So what happens to them if you're not around?
Without a plan, your beloved pet could end up in a shelter, with a family member who doesn't want them, or worse. Here's how to make sure that never happens.
Pets can't advocate for themselves. If you don't specify who should care for them, a few things could happen:
Even if you have a verbal agreement with a friend—'You'll take Max if anything happens to me, right?'—that's not legally binding. And when emotions are high after your death, memories fade and minds change.
Here's the frustrating legal reality: pets are considered property, just like your car or your couch.
You can't leave money directly to your pet. You can't name your dog as a beneficiary. (It's been tried. Courts don't allow it.)
Instead, you name a 'pet guardian'—a person who agrees to care for your pet—and you can leave them money to cover pet care expenses.
Here's what you need to do:
This is the person who will take care of your pet if you die. Choose someone who:
Important: Ask them first. Don't assume your sister will take your dog just because she loves animals. Make sure they're willing and able.
Also, name a backup guardian in case your first choice can't do it.
Pets are expensive. Even a healthy dog or cat costs thousands per year for food, vet visits, grooming, and supplies.
Estimate your pet's remaining lifespan and annual costs, then leave at least that much to their guardian.
Example:
You can leave this money directly to the guardian with instructions to use it for the pet's care. Most guardians will honor this—especially if they love your pet.
If you're worried the money won't be used properly, you can create a 'pet trust' (more on that below).
Your guardian might not know your pet's routines, preferences, and needs. Include details like:
This isn't legally binding, but it helps your guardian give your pet the best life possible.
If you have multiple pets, specify whether they should stay together or if they can be separated.
Some animals are bonded and would be traumatized by separation. Others would be fine apart. You know your pets—make sure your will reflects that.
A pet trust is a legal arrangement where you leave money in a trust specifically for your pet's care. A trustee manages the money and makes sure it goes only toward the pet.
Pet trusts are more complex and expensive to set up (usually requires a lawyer), but they're useful if:
Most of us don't need a pet trust. A simple will with a named guardian and allocated funds is enough.
Your will only kicks in when you die. But what if you're incapacitated or hospitalized for weeks?
Consider:
Make sure your executor and guardian know:
If your executor doesn't know you have a pet, they might not think to secure them immediately. Time-sensitive situations (like if you're in the hospital) require fast action.
Let's say you leave $20,000 for your dog's care, but he only lives another 5 years and only costs $10,000. What happens to the other $10,000?
You can specify in your will:
Most leave the remainder with the guardian as a 'thank you' for taking care of their pet.
If you have reptiles, birds, horses, or other exotic animals, finding a guardian is trickier.
Not everyone can care for a parrot that lives 50 years or a horse that costs $500/month.
Consider:
Some write conditions like: 'My sister inherits my savings only if she agrees to care for my cat.'
This is called a 'conditional bequest.' It's legal, but it can get messy. What if your sister takes the cat but gives it away a year later? What if she neglects it?
It's better to name a willing guardian who actually wants your pet, rather than bribing someone who doesn't.
Planning for your pet's future is emotional. You're imagining a world where you're not there to take care of them. That's hard.
But it's also one of the most loving things you can do. You're ensuring that even in your absence, your pet is safe, comfortable, and loved.
Your pet depends on you completely. They can't make decisions for themselves. Protecting them in your will is how you show them they matter—not just now, but always.
If you love your pet, put them in your will. Name a guardian. Leave money for their care. Include instructions.
It takes 5 minutes and could mean the difference between your dog living out their days in a loving home versus ending up in a shelter.
Your pet would do anything for you. Do this one thing for them.