Pets
Because They Depend on You.
And You Should Know Who Will Care for Them.
For many of us, our pets aren’t simply animals.
They’re family.
They greet us when we come home. They sit beside us when we’re sick. They give us companionship, comfort and unconditional love.
But what happens to them if you suddenly can’t care for them?
An unexpected hospitalization. An accident. A serious illness. A move into a skilled nursing facility. A change in living circumstances.
Or the loss of a beloved pet parent.
Planning for your pets is an important part of planning for your future.
Be Brave Now helps individuals and families think about their pets before a crisis occurs, so that the animals we love aren’t left without someone to care for them.
WHO WILL CARE FOR YOUR PET?
Don’t wait until an emergency to figure it out.
Think about:
■ Who could care for your pet temporarily if you were hospitalized?
■ Who would take your pet if you could no longer return home?
■ Who could provide transportation to a veterinarian?
■ Who knows your pet’s medications and medical history?
■ Who knows what your pet eats and what routines they follow?
■ Who could care for your pet permanently if necessary?
■ If you have multiple pets, can they remain together?
Your emergency caregiver doesn’t necessarily have to be the person who would provide permanent care. Having both plans can give you and your family peace of mind. (ASPCA)
CREATE A PET PLAN
A simple Pet Plan can make an enormous difference.
Your Pet’s Information
Keep a record of:
■ Pet’s name, age and breed
■ Veterinarian and veterinary hospital
■ Medical conditions
■ Medications and dosages
■ Vaccination records
■ Microchip information
■ Feeding schedule
■ Food preferences
■ Daily routine
■ Behavioral characteristics
■ Special needs
■ Favorite toys or comfort items
■ How your pet interacts with children, adults and other animals
This information can help a temporary or permanent caregiver understand your pet and provide continuity of care. (ASPCA)
IDENTIFY AN EMERGENCY CAREGIVER
Choose someone you trust who could step in if something happens to you.
Then ask them.
Don’t assume that someone will be able to take your pet. Make sure they are willing, able and understand what would be expected of them.
And revisit the conversation periodically. People’s circumstances change. (ASPCA)
WHAT IF YOU CAN NO LONGER KEEP YOUR PET?
Sometimes circumstances change despite our best efforts.
Financial hardship. Illness. Housing changes. Caregiving responsibilities. Aging. Disability. Or the loss of a spouse or family member can make caring for a pet difficult.
Needing help does not mean you don’t love your animal.
Whenever possible, explore ways to keep the pet and the person together. Veterinary assistance, behavioral support, temporary fostering, pet-food assistance and other community resources may sometimes prevent a permanent separation. (ASPCA)
If keeping your pet is no longer possible, responsible rehoming can be an act of love.
REHOMING WITH CARE
If your pet needs a new home, don’t simply give them to the first person who responds to an online post.
Take the time to find an appropriate home.
Consider:
■ Who is this person?
■ Do they understand this animal’s needs?
■ Can they provide veterinary care?
■ Is their home appropriate?
■ Are there other animals or children in the household?
■ Are they prepared for the pet’s age, temperament and medical needs?
Friends, family members, your veterinarian, reputable rescue organizations and animal shelters may be able to help identify safe placement options. The ASPCA recommends responsible rehoming and notes that shelters and rescues can sometimes provide advice or assistance. (ASPCA)
WHEN A SHELTER OR RESCUE IS NECESSARY
Sometimes surrendering a pet to a reputable shelter or rescue organization is the safest option.
If that becomes necessary, call first.
Many shelters have limited capacity or waiting lists, so families should understand the organization’s intake process before bringing an animal there. (ASPCA)
Ask about:
■ Foster placement
■ Medical needs
■ Behavioral needs
■ Adoption procedures
■ Whether the pet can remain with a bonded companion
■ What information they need about your pet
■ Whether they can recommend another rescue or placement organization
The goal is always the same:
Find the safest, most appropriate home possible.
PLAN FOR YOUR PET’S FUTURE
Pet planning can also be part of your broader legal and estate planning.
Depending on your circumstances and state law, an attorney can help you explore options such as provisions in your Will, a pet trust, or other arrangements for your animal’s care.
You may also want to designate funds for food, veterinary care, medication, grooming and other expenses.
Your pet shouldn’t have to depend on luck if something happens to you.
BE BRAVE NOW. MAKE A PLAN.
Put your pet’s information somewhere your family can find it.
Give a trusted person access to your veterinarian’s information.
Tell someone where your pet’s food, medications, carriers and important records are located.
Put an emergency contact somewhere visible in your home.
And most importantly:
Talk to the person you’ve chosen to care for your pet.
Because planning for the future isn’t about expecting something bad to happen.
It’s about making sure the ones who depend on you are protected if it does.
YOUR PET CAN’T MAKE THE PLAN.
You can.
Be Brave Now.
Be Brave Now provides education, planning resources and connections to appropriate professionals and animal-welfare
organizations. We do not provide veterinary, legal or animal-placement services and cannot guarantee the acceptance or placement of any particular animal.