22-07-2025
What will happen to your pet if you die? Why animal experts suggest you 'put a plan in place' to avoid a 'nightmare' for your dog
Just before Christmas last year, an energetic English bulldog named Bobo found himself without a home. His young owner had passed away unexpectedly — the victim of a motor-vehicle accident — and there was no plan in place for Bobo's care. In the face of a terrible tragedy, the man's family felt that they couldn't accommodate the rambunctious four-year-old pup. Luckily, they were able to place him in a foster home through Travelling Tails K9 Rescue in St. Catharines, Ont., and he was eventually adopted out.
That's a happy ending for a dog who lost both his owner and home in an instant. 'Sometimes, it's not that simple,' says Travelling Tails co-founder Sarah Agner. 'Maybe there's a pet that has aggression issues, hasn't been socialized or has certain ailments.' It can be harder to find homes for those animals.
Rescues are also overwhelmed right now, which means they may not have the time or resources to care for every pet that shows up on their doorstep. 'People are out of control with breeding,' Agner says. 'It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I had some dogs that were dropped off in a box on the side of the road. They were days old and I ended up bottle feeding them. I probably have 16 to 20 owner surrenders each week.'
If you have the ability to put a plan in place for your pet, then do Agner
Your pet could also end up in a shelter, which is a stressful situation for many animals. 'If you have the ability to put a plan in place for your pet, then do it,' Agner says. 'You can save your dog a nightmare trip to the shelter and a lot of anxiety.'
Where do I start?
Don't assume that someone you know — your partner, parent, child or best friend — will take your pet if something happens to you. Instead, you need to talk with that person about your plans. 'It gets overlooked way more than people realize,' says Agner. 'When you're behind the scenes, you see how often it happens.'
Initiate frank conversations with your loved ones to come up with a plan for your pet if the unthinkable happens. Ideally, you'll secure someone who already knows your pet to step in if necessary. Then, make it official.
How do I add a pet to my will?
Ask your lawyer to add a 'pet clause' where you can name the guardian (or guardians, in the case of multiple animals) that you would like to care for your pet, says Ariel Fried, an estate-planning lawyer at Mann Lawyers in Ottawa. You can also add contingent guardians to the list in case your first choice dies or their situation changes, like if they have kids and decide they don't want to bring an animal into their home.
Once you've named every potential guardian in your will, Fried suggests noting that your estate trustee or executor can make the final call on pet care if all other guardians fall through. 'If you've named someone as an estate trustee, you expect them to do a good job with your estate,' says Fried. 'You should also be able to trust them to make a proper decision for your pet if all else fails.'
Does naming a pet guardian in my will guarantee they will care for my pet?
Unfortunately, no. 'They don't have to take the pet if they don't want to or if they're unable to,' says Fried. 'If they don't feel that they're the right fit, they can definitely turn down the gift.' That's why it's so important to have a conversation with any potential guardians before naming them in your pet clause.
What should I do if I have no friends or family to take my pet?
Some people don't have a supportive network that they can rely on. If you find yourself in that situation, reach out to local shelters, humane societies and rescues — especially if you're elderly or dealing with a serious illness.
They can help you put a plan in place for your pet if something happens. At that point, you can also ensure that they have all of the information they'll need including medical information, notes on behavioural issues, vet contact info and more.
What other documentation do I need?
Compile all relevant information for your pet and update it regularly. 'Once you're gone, there may be no other way to figure out these things,' Agner reminds. Let your pet guardian know where to find the document. You can even tack it on the fridge.
Consider adding these notes to the list:
Pet name, birthdate and microchip information
Vet name, phone number and address
Diet and allergies
Illnesses and conditions
Medications and doses
Behaviour concerns and quirks
Do I need to change my will every time I get a new pet?
You can, but it will cost money every time you want to make an adjustment. Instead, you might want to create a generic pet clause for any pets you have now or may have in the future.
How do I leave money for my pet's care?
'A lot of people consider their pets their children,' says Fried. 'However, in jurisdictions across Canada, pets are considered personal property.' That means that you can't leave an inheritance to your dog or cat. Instead, you have a few options:
Cash legacy (gift): Fried recommends setting aside a cash gift for the pet guardian to cover future expenses like food and vet bills. You can include a condition that the person can't accept the money without also accepting the pet. The problem with this option is that there's no guarantee the guardian will actually use the money for the pet. Once they have the cash, they can do whatever they want with it.
Trust: You can create a trust for your pet, but Fried says this route can be complicated and costly. 'Typically, people aren't leaving a lot of money for their pets,' he notes, 'so the fees for setting up a trust can really eat up the amount.'
Pet insurance: If you have pet insurance, you may want to check that it is transferrable to the pet guardian in the case of your death.
What should the amount of the cash gift be?
According to Fried, the average amount people leave for pet care is $5,000 to $15,000 — though current vet fees could far surpass that range. For a better estimate, speak to your veterinarian and consider your pet's age and medical history.
Keep in mind that you may outlive your current pet and have a different pet (or more than one pet) in the future. 'Ensure that the sum in your will covers all pets,' says Fried. 'Sometimes, people give a lump sum of $15,000 to all pets. Others say, 'I want to leave $5,000 per pet,' for example.'
The bottom line
Your pet is like family and you want them to be safe and happy. If something happens to you, make sure you have a plan in place so they won't end up scared, anxious and alone. It's the best thing you can do for your animal.
