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Advanced Pet Care Planning: Wills, Directives & Insurance

By: Claire Beutel • 3 cited sources • Updated Oct 14, 2024

While it’s a difficult reality to accept, your beloved pet will someday pass on. Just as we prepare for our own end-of-life decisions, it’s important to have a plan in place for your pet, too. Advanced care planning for pets can help you make informed, compassionate decisions about your beloved companion if something were to happen to you or your pet.

Key Takeaways

• Advance pet care planning ensures your pet’s future comfort by preparing for scenarios where you might be unable to provide care.
• A pet’s living will outline specific medical treatment instructions for severe situations.
• A pet’s advance directive includes a living will and additional instructions, such as naming a health care agent, daily care routines, and financial arrangements.
• Pet insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind by covering unexpected veterinary expenses.

What Will Happen to Your Pet If Something Happens to You?

Have you ever wondered what would happen to your pet if you become ill and are suddenly unable to care for them? If you were to pass away suddenly, who would step in and take custody of your pet? If you depart the country on holiday and leave your pet with a sitter, is there a plan in place with your veterinarian to ensure your pet will receive the care they need while you’re away? Luckily, there are thoughtful and proactive actions you can take to ensure the well-being of your furry family member under any circumstance.

A Pet Living Will Provides Clear Guidance for Your Pet’s Medical Care

Similar to a human’s living will, a pet living will is a legal document that outlines instructions for the future care and medical treatment of your companion in the event that you are unavailable. The document will provide specific instructions and guidance to your pet’s veterinarians or caregivers, ensuring they receive the care they need if the unexpected occurs. A pet living will only come into play when your pet is facing a serious, life-threatening situation. 

Some Key Components of a Pet’s Living Will May Include:

• Life-Sustaining Procedures: If your pet is in need of life-saving measures and you are not available to provide guidance, you can outline preferences such as pain management, resuscitation, surgery, or prolonged hospitalization in your pet’s living will. 
• Euthanasia: You can also outline under what circumstances pet euthanasia is acceptable to ensure your pet doesn’t suffer if recovery is unlikely. This will ensure your veterinarian follows your wishes and acts accordingly with your pet’s care.

While there are several places online that will help you write a living will for your pet, seeking help from a professional will ensure the protected interest of you and your pet^[1].

A Pet Advance Directive Ensures Consistent Care for Your Pet

An advance directive for your pet is a broader document that can include a living will and medical treatment preferences in addition to identifying a new primary health care agent, instructions for daily care, and financial arrangements.

Some essential elements to outline in your pet’s advance directive are:

• Naming a Health Care Agent: If something were to happen to you and your pet needed a new home, you can identify trusted individuals like family members or friends to care for your pet (you should ask them first, of course!). If you don’t name someone, your pet will end up going with the “residuary beneficiary”. This is the person who you determine will inherit everything of yours that you don’t specifically mention^[2].
• Daily Pet Care: If your pet has a daily care regime such as medication administration, dietary preferences, or routine veterinary care you can outline it in this document. 
• Financial Arrangements: In the case that your pet is re-homed with one of your named health care agents, you may want to consider setting up financial arrangements for your pet so your loved ones are not responsible for the cost of potential treatment. You can stop by your veterinarian’s office to sign a release of paying in case of an emergency. You can also set up parameters for the treatments you are willing to cover. This way your credit card number will be kept on file in the event of an emergency and your loved one won’t have to carry the financial burden.

Pet Insurance Can Safeguard Your Pet’s Health & Provide Peace of Mind

Another way to ensure your furry family member receives the best possible care is to invest in pet insurance. The coverage can be a lifesaver, especially if your pet is left with a loved one and they are held responsible for future veterinary bills and treatments. Pet insurance can help to mitigate these expenses so your pet receives prompt medical treatment without causing your pet’s health care agent financial strain. While there are several types of pet insurance plans to choose from depending on the provider, some common plans include:

• Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans: As its name suggests, accident-only plans can help to cover the cost of your pet’s injuries, such as ingesting a foreign object or fracturing a bone playing fetch.
• Accident and Illness Pet Insurance Plans: The most comprehensive type of pet insurance plan, this plan covers both accidents and illnesses related to your pet.
• Wellness Pet Insurance Plans: These plans focus on preventative care for your pet and may include covering the cost for routine check-ups and dental cleanings.

Of course, you will want to make sure this insurance is well documented for your pet’s health care agent, along with your preferred veterinarian’s information so that they have access to these in a time of need.

How Much is Pet Insurance?

The cost of pet insurance can vary significantly due to many factors like location, age, breed, coverage type, your pet’s health history, and deductible amount. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), in 2020 accident and illness coverage for dogs was $49.51 and $28.48 for cats per month^[3].

Secure Your Pet’s Future with Thoughtful Planning

Advanced care planning for your pet is an act of love and responsibility. By setting up pet living wills, advance directives, and securing pet insurance, you ensure that your beloved companions are well cared for, no matter what life brings. This foresight not only provides peace of mind for you but also guarantees that your furry friends receive the best possible care in your absence.

Written by Claire Beutel

My name is Claire Beutel, and I bring over a decade of experience in digital marketing. I specialize in crafting and executing SEO strategies that deliver measurable organic results for businesses of all sizes. Beyond my technical expertise, I am deeply passionate about supporting mental health and wellness causes—a mission close to my heart shaped by my lifelong battle with depression. When Kevin approached me about creating a resource to help individuals navigate the overwhelming challenges of major life decisions, I immediately recognized it as a perfect opportunity. It was a chance to use my skills to truly make a difference in people's lives by providing guidance and support during some of their most difficult moments. I feel privileged to be involved in such a meaningful cause.