Frequently Asked Questions - What will happen to my pets?
Owning a pet is very common in the UK, with roughly every other household having a pet of some description.
Many people who love pets but are in their later life are sometimes left with a dilemma, and that is should they stop having pets because there is a chance they could die before their pet, even though having a pet gives them companionship, makes them exercise, and ultimately helps to keep them mentally and physically well.
Because we don’t know when we will die, every year thousands of pet owners die before their beloved pets, with the vast majority not making any provision as to who will look after their pets.
Although you are not around to worry about the fate of your pet, for many pet owners making provision for their pets during their lifetime can give them peace of mind knowing that they will be looked after.
It is surprisingly simple to make full provision for your pets, and that is through one of our specially structured Wills.
It is not allowed to make a gift to your pet in your Will and any gifts made will fail, resulting in the money that was expected to help care for your pet becoming part of the residue of your Estate.
It is quite straight forward to make an outright gift of your pet in your Will as your pet is seen to be personal property which can be gifted in a Will, in the same way you could give away your car or jewellery in a Will.
As a much loved pet, you will want your pet to be cared for in the same way that you cared for it, and as such, you may want to leave a “memorandum of wishes” explaining to the person who is to look after your pet some details that they would not necessarily know, such as their favourite food, or their microchip ID number. You may also be able to give guidance on how many times a day they like to walk for, and where their favourite walks are.
If you don’t have any family or friends to look after your pet, you can still make provisions by making arrangements with a pet charity, such as the Dogs Trust or Cinnamon Trust.
It is estimated that looking after a pet could cost the owner over £30,000 during their lifetime which can be up to 15 years.
So, even though your nominated carer may be happy to look after your pet, they may not be so happy with the extra cost that comes with it. If your pet is older then you need to consider not only food bills, but also expensive vet bills.
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