You may have had informal conversations with your loved ones to designate them as caregivers to your furry friends in the event that you pass. While having verbal confirmation may seem sufficient, there are additional tools you should consider using to ensure safekeeping of your pets once you pass. For example, have you considered a pet trusts? Do you have diet and medication lists written out? Have you considered a life care centers? All of these considerations are discussed in more detail below.
Planning for Pets While Living – Power of Attorney and Trust
Before delving into how to plan for your pet’s care once you pass, it is also worth considering how to plan for your pet while you are still living, but may be unable to care for them, such as during an unexpected hospital stay. This can be done via a Durable Power of Attorney aka a Financial Power of Attorney. This type of Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone as your agent so that they may handle different types of property you have. Yes, pets are considered property under the law, but at Wynn at Law, LLC, we know pets are so much more, a beloved family member, which is why we enjoy assisting people who want to plan for caring for a pet.
Most Financial Powers of Attorney give your agent power to handle your “personal” property and according to Wisconsin law, a pet counts as personal property. A general Financial Power of Attorney may be sufficient in a pinch, but at Wynn at Law, LLC, we can assist you with a better option. If the care of your pet is one of your primary concerns or if your pet has medical issues, we can aid you in additional language that should be included in your Power of Attorney to ensure that your agent will be able to seamlessly care for your pet. We specifically address your agent’s authority to board your pets, to authorize veterinarian care, and compensation for these endeavors, for instance.
If you have a trust and become incapacitated, your successor trustee may need to step in to help care for your pet. In this case, Wynn at Law, LLC can assist you in drafting specific language in your trust for caring for a pet. This will allow your trustee to step in and immediately care for your pet.
Life Care Centers for Pets
If you prefer to leave the care of your pet to an organization rather that an individual, you may want to consider a pet life care center. These are organizations that will agree to provide care for your pets after your passing. Some of these organizations require you to leave them a minimum cash gift via your estate plan in order to fund your pet’s care. This is an attractive option for many pet owners. Some organizations even offer grief therapy for your pet and agree to find your pet a new loving home.
If you would like to arrange for your pet’s care via one of these organizations upon your passing, you should first, research and consult with the organization of your choice to obtain their requirements. Second, meet with an attorney at Wynn at Law, LLC and we will assist you in memorializing your request pursuant to the organization’s requirements.
Diet and Medication Lists
One of the greatest gifts you can give to your pet’s future caregiver is clarity. Proactively maintaining a comprehensive diet and medication lists ensures that your pet’s caregiver can provide seamless continuity of care during an already stressful transition. This list should be as specific as possible and include things such as:
precise dosages and delivery methods of medications if your pets take any,
brand names and measurements of your pet’s food,
known food allergies,
preferred treats,
vet information and copies of recent vaccinations, and
microchip info if applicable.
