Planning for Your Pet’s Future: What Happens to Your Pet if You Die?
For many of us, pets are family.
They greet us at the door, sleep beside us, follow us around the house, and somehow manage to become part of the rhythm of everyday life. So it can be incredibly difficult to think about what might happen to them if you are no longer able to care for them. There are really two things to think about.
What happens to your pet if you become unable to care for them during your lifetime?
And:
What happens to your pet if you die?
Having a plan for both can give you peace of mind that your pet will be cared for if something happens to you.
What happens to your pet if you die?
Your pet can't inherit from your estate in the same way a person can.
Your Will can, however, make arrangements for who you want to care for your pet after your death. When preparing your estate plan, think about:
who you would trust to care for your pet;
whether they are willing and able to take on that responsibility;
whether they have suitable accommodation;
whether they have other pets;
whether they understand your pet's needs;
what would happen if your preferred carer couldn't take your pet; and
whether you want to make financial provision to help with your pet's ongoing care.
You might also want to leave your executor clear information about your pet's routine, food, medication, veterinary care, personality, and other important details.
Your pet knows you. The person caring for them after you're gone won't necessarily. The more information you leave behind, the easier it can be for them to help your pet settle into their new home.
What if you become unable to care for your pet while you're alive?
This is a separate issue from what happens after your death.
If you are unexpectedly admitted to hospital, become seriously unwell, or otherwise can't care for your pet, your Will isn't designed to provide an immediate solution. It's worth having a short-term plan as well.
Consider nominating someone you trust who can:
collect your pet;
provide temporary accommodation;
access their food and medication;
take them to the vet if necessary; and
care for them until you are able to return home or a longer-term arrangement can be made.
You might also leave a simple pet care information sheet somewhere easy to find.
What should you include in your pet care plan?
Start with the basics. For each pet, record:
their name and age;
their breed or species;
their microchip details;
their registration details;
their veterinarian's details;
their medication and health information;
their usual food and feeding routine;
their exercise requirements;
their favourite toys and activities;
their behavioural quirks;
their likes and dislikes;
who they are comfortable around; and
anything else you think their future carer should know.
This information doesn't need to sit inside your Will. In fact, it is often more practical to keep detailed care instructions separately and make sure your executor and nominated pet carer know where to find them.
Can you leave money for your pet?
You can't make your pet a beneficiary of your Will in the same way you would a person. You can, however, consider how the financial cost of caring for your pet will be met.
Depending on your circumstances, your estate plan may include a gift to a person who will care for your pet or arrangements involving an organisation that provides pet care and rehoming services.
The appropriate structure will depend on your circumstances and what you want to achieve. The important thing is to make the arrangements deliberately rather than leaving your family to work it out after your death.
What happens when your pet dies?
Eventually, you will also have to say goodbye. For some people, this happens after a long illness. For others, an accident or sudden deterioration means the decision comes much more quickly.
There are a range of options for saying goodbye to a pet, including burial, cremation, and memorialisation.
If you choose cremation, you may be able to arrange an individual cremation where the ashes are returned to you, or a communal cremation where they are not returned. Your veterinarian or pet cremation provider can explain the options available.
You might also choose to create a lasting memorial, such as:
keeping your pet's paw print;
preserving a small amount of their ashes;
creating a photo book;
planting a tree or garden;
creating a personalised memorial;
keeping their collar or favourite toy; or
recording your favourite memories of them.
There is no right way to say goodbye. What matters is finding something that feels meaningful to you.
Creating a meaningful farewell
A pet funeral may look very different from a human funeral, but that doesn't mean it can't be meaningful.
You might gather family and friends to share stories, visit a favourite place, light a candle, play music, or simply spend some quiet time remembering your pet.
For children, having a farewell ritual can also provide a way to understand and process the loss.
There doesn't need to be a particular format. It's about giving yourself and your family an opportunity to acknowledge that someone important has died.
Grief after losing a pet is real
Losing a pet can feel like losing a member of your family.
You may hear comments like "it was just a dog" or "it was just a cat." If you've loved and cared for an animal for years, there is nothing "just" about it.
Pet grief can be profound. Give yourself permission to grieve. You might need time away from work, support from friends and family, or professional grief support.
Everyone processes loss differently. There is no prescribed timeline for when you should feel better.
A personal note from Jacqui
Our family has always included a dog. I'm what you might call a "dog person".
In primary school, I was beyond excited to get my very own canine sidekick, Gypsie. She was a Beagle x Staffy, and her big smiling face and wagging tail, with a white tip, brought so much joy to my life.
In high school, we had to make the difficult decision to euthanise Gypsie because of her declining health. I vividly remember sobbing in the vet room, gently patting her as she passed away. In that moment, I desperately wished I could fight reality and bring her back to good health.
I couldn't. But I could be there with her.
If you're currently going through the loss of a pet, please know that I see you, and my heart goes out to you.
Frequently asked questions about pets and estate planning
Can I include my pet in my Will?
Yes. Your Will can include arrangements for who you want to care for your pet after your death.
Can I leave my pet money in my Will?
A pet cannot inherit from your estate in the same way a person can. Your estate plan can, however, make arrangements to support the person or organisation caring for your pet.
What happens to my pet if I die without a Will?
Without a Will setting out your wishes, there may be no clear person nominated by you to care for your pet. Your family may need to make arrangements at an already difficult time.
What happens to my pet if I'm in hospital?
Your Will doesn't provide an immediate solution for temporary incapacity. It's worth having a separate emergency pet care plan and someone you trust who can step in if you unexpectedly can't care for your pet.
Should my pet's care instructions be included in my Will?
Detailed instructions about food, routines, medication, and personality are often better kept in a separate pet care document that can be updated easily. Your Will can deal with the legal arrangements for your pet's care.
Planning for your pet is part of planning for your family
Our pets depend on us completely.
Taking a little time now to think about who will care for them, what they will need, and what should happen if you're no longer able to look after them can make an enormous difference later.
It is one small part of a broader estate plan, but for many pet owners, it is an important one.
Estate planning isn't only about what happens to your money. It's also about making arrangements for the people, animals, and things you love.
A free guide to help children understand death, grief and saying goodbye.
Talking to children about death is never easy.
Whether you're facing the death of a grandparent, friend, or beloved pet, knowing what to say can feel overwhelming.
Our free guide provides practical, age-appropriate advice to help you have honest conversations, prepare children for funerals and support them through grief with confidence and compassion.
Inside you'll discover:
✓ How children understand death at different ages
✓ Tips for talking about death honestly and compassionately
✓ How to prepare children for funerals
✓ Ways children may express grief
✓ Practical strategies for supporting children after a loss
✓ Recommended children's books about death, grief and big emotions
✓ Guidance for the death of a family member or pet