Pet Parents: How to Make Sure Your Dog or Cat Is Protected

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.

Why Pet Planning Matters

Pets can't advocate for themselves. If you don't specify who should care for them, a few things could happen:

They go to the first family member who agrees to take them (even if that person isn't equipped)
They end up in a shelter
Someone 'temporarily' takes them and then gives them away
They get separated from other pets in your household
Your wishes about their care (diet, medical needs, lifestyle) are ignored

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.

Your Pet Is 'Property' (Legally)

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.

How to Protect Your Pet in Your Will

Here's what you need to do:

1. Name a Pet Guardian

This is the person who will take care of your pet if you die. Choose someone who:

Actually likes your pet (and your type of pet)
Has the space, time, and lifestyle to care for them
Lives in a pet-friendly home
Shares your values about pet care
Is financially stable (or will receive enough money from you to cover costs)

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.

2. Leave Money for Pet Care

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:

Your dog is 5 years old, expected to live to 15
Annual costs: $2,000/year
Total: $20,000

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).

3. Include Care Instructions

Your guardian might not know your pet's routines, preferences, and needs. Include details like:

Diet and feeding schedule
Medical conditions and medications
Veterinarian contact info
Behavioral quirks (e.g., 'scared of thunderstorms')
Favorite activities (e.g., 'loves the dog park')
Whether they're okay with other pets/kids

This isn't legally binding, but it helps your guardian give your pet the best life possible.

4. Plan for Multiple Pets

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.

What's a Pet Trust?

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:

You're leaving a large sum of money for pet care
You don't fully trust your guardian to use the money properly
Your pet has expensive medical needs
You want detailed, enforceable instructions about your pet's care

Most of us don't need a pet trust. A simple will with a named guardian and allocated funds is enough.

Don't Forget About Emergency Care

Your will only kicks in when you die. But what if you're incapacitated or hospitalized for weeks?

Consider:

Creating a 'pet emergency card' in your wallet with guardian contact info
Giving a trusted friend a key to your home and instructions to check on your pet if you're unreachable for 24+ hours
Keeping a 'pet care packet' with food, medical info, and guardian contact details in an obvious place
Wearing a medical alert bracelet that says 'I have pets at home'

5. Tell Your Executor and Guardian Your Plan

Make sure your executor and guardian know:

You have a pet
Where your pet is (if you live alone)
Who the designated guardian is
Where to find care instructions and funds

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.

What Happens to 'Leftover' Pet Money?

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:

The guardian keeps any remaining funds
Remaining funds go to a specific person or charity
Remaining funds go to an animal rescue organization

Most leave the remainder with the guardian as a 'thank you' for taking care of their pet.

Special Considerations for Exotic Pets

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:

Reaching out to breed-specific rescues or sanctuaries
Connecting with exotic vet clinics for guardian recommendations
Leaving enough money to cover their specialized care
Including detailed care instructions (exotic animals have specific needs)

Can You Disinherit Someone If They Don't Take Your Pet?

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.

The Emotional Side

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.

Put it in writing

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.