As loving pet owners, we want nothing but the best for our furry friends – from the food they eat to the toys they play with. But have we ever thought about what will happen to them if something happens to us? It’s a difficult subject to consider, but it’s important to plan for providing for your pet’s future in case anything unexpected happens.
As such, in this blog, we’ll discuss the action steps you can take to ensure your pet’s well-being if you’re no longer able to care for them in the event of both short-term and long-term emergencies.
How to Create a Short-Term Emergency Plan for Your Pet’s Care
When sudden illness, accidents, or death occur, the chaos can often result in pets being neglected, sometimes even left undiscovered in the home for days. Thankfully, a little bit of planning goes a very long way when it comes to preventing a heartbreaking situation from happening to your pet. Here are some ideas around actionable steps that you can take right away to create a short-term emergency plan:
- Consider who you would prefer to act as emergency caregivers should something unexpected happen to you or within your life. Be sure to ask if they are willing and able to help provide unexpected short-term emergency care for your furry friends. If they agree, then you can work together to ensure that they have keys to your home, instructions for everyday care (for example, a feeding schedule, your vet’s contact information as well as pet insurance information if applicable), and details about the long-term care arrangements you’ve made for your pet. After identifying your emergency caregivers, be sure to share those details with your neighbors and loved ones so that the key caregivers in your life know how to reach each other. Some people find it helpful to keep an “In Case of Emergency” card in their wallet that contains the names and phone numbers of your emergency pet caregivers.
- Place removable “in case of emergency” notices on your doors or windows that detail the number and types of pets you have. This will alert emergency responders during situations like fires or other home emergencies. Avoid using stickers as they can be difficult to remove and might be ignored by responders if they believe the sticker is outdated. Inside your front and back doors, place a removable notice that lists emergency contact names and phone numbers.
- If you live in Florida, then you know how stressful hurricane season can be when it comes to safety and providing for your pet’s future. Your short-term emergency plan should include some details in case of natural disaster. For example, you should know what to expect for your pet if you need to evacuate. You may also want to create a specific emergency go-bag for your pet that is easily accessible; it should include essential items like food, water, medications, as well as comfort items like toys.
While we certainly all hope that situations like these do not impact you or your beloved pets, taking these steps can help ensure that your pets are cared for and protected, even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
How to Create a Long-Term Emergency Plan for Your Pet’s Care
Establishing a short-term emergency plan can definitely help in preparing for a more long-term care solution should you become unable to care for your pet. Perhaps the most critical aspect of this is identifying a permanent caregiver, which may be different from who you would rely on to help care for your pets in a short-term capacity. Here are some quick tips for how to identify a long-term caregiver:
- Start by thinking of friends or family who already adore your pet, have shown they’re responsible when it comes to animal care, and are compatible with your pet. After all, all pets have their quirks! The person you’re considering should understand your pet’s needs and be able to provide a compatible lifestyle.
- Before you settle on someone, have an honest chat with them. Make sure they’re up for this important task and 100% willing to take care of your pet. You should also check on their expectations around pet care costs and pet insurance.
- Always have a plan B! Life can throw curveballs, and your first choice might not always be available. So, it’s good to have a backup caregiver in mind.
Finally, when you’re planning your estate, make sure to include your pet in the process. You can set up a trust for your pet and appoint a trustee to manage the trust funds for your pet’s care. This ensures that your pet is provided for financially and that the trustee will act in your pet’s best interests. You can also include your pet in your will and appoint a guardian who will take care of your pet if anything happens to you. Make sure to discuss this with your lawyer to ensure you have the proper legal documents in place.
As your life circumstances change, remember to also assess and possibly update your plan for providing for your pet’s future . In taking these steps, you can rest assured knowing that your beloved pets will be well-cared for in the event of an emergency, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your pets will be taken care of even if you’re not there to do it yourself.
In writing this blog, we consulted the following sources: