🐾 Bottom line: Your pet is family, not just property. But the law doesn’t see it that way. That’s why you need to act.
Why it matters:
If you don’t have a plan:
Your pet could end up in a shelter
The wrong person might take over
Their care might suffer, fast
The fix: Create a pet trust.
✅ Names a caregiver
✅ Sets aside money for food, vet bills, toys
✅ Spells out your pet’s care; down to diet, exercise & end-of-life wishes
🛠 How to do it:
Pick a caregiver who loves animals
Name a trustee to manage the money
Fund the trust (don’t skip this!)
Be specific about how your pet should live
👉 Bonus tip: Name backups and say what happens to leftover funds.
🎯 You’ve got options:
Stand-alone pet trust: kicks in if you get sick
Testamentary trust: only activates when you pass
💬 Final word: Your pet can’t speak for themselves. But your estate plan can.
