Knowing that pets usually have shorter lifespans than humans, you may have planned for your animal friend's passing. But what if you are the one who becomes ill or incapacitated, or who dies first? As a responsible pet owner, you provide your pet with food and water, shelter, veterinary care, and love. To ensure that your beloved pet will continue to receive this if  something unexpected were to happen to you, it's critical to plan ahead.

Learn what steps you can take to plan and provide for your pet's future without you by following the links below.

NOTE: The following information is intended to provide a general overview and to stimulate your thinking about providing for your pet in the event of your incapacity or death. It is not intended to provide legal advice and is definitely not a substitute for consulting a local attorney of your choosing who is familiar both with the laws of your state and with your personal circumstances and needs, and those of your pets.

You can use the online text below that is divided into sections or you can read or print PDFs of the six-page fact sheet by clicking here:

Pets in Estate Plans Fact Sheet in English

Pets in Estate Plans Fact Sheet in Spanish

Updated March 14, 2008