Photo by pinkparakeets

This weekend I found myself immersed in an interesting conversation about life and how the only thing we really know for sure is that it is unexpected. My friend and I agreed that we should be making the most of every moment, because you never know when your last may arrive. One thing led to another and my friend said something to the effect of that if anything were to happen to her, “of course [her] mother would take care of Murray [her four-year-old french bulldog].”

While it’s perfectly natural to assume that our family would adopt our pets if anything were to happen to us, assumptions are not enough. People change their minds, pets develop medical conditions, families move and change themselves, thus putting your pet’s care in potential jeopardy if you are no longer around. I myself am guilty of assuming that my family will take in Rory were I to be hit by a bus tomorrow — yet we don’t have any such agreement in writing anywhere.

According to an article in The Globe and Mail this past summer, more and more pet parents are meeting with lawyers to write pet provisions into their wills. I like to nickname such amendments as “The DogMother” or “DogFather” agreement, essentially assigning ‘doggie godparents’ who will become your pet’s official guardians should something terrible happen. But is that enough?

The Globe and Mail discovered that pet guardianship was not the only factor for these considerations. Popular provisions are now including trust funds for pets to help new guardians cover the financial cost of caring for a pet. Lawyers mentioned in the piece also recommend that pet parents talk about what pet care entails with potential future guardians to help ensure that your pet goes to the best home possible and is not rehomed time and time again.

I for one will be resolving this gross gap in my pet care plan as soon as possible. Are you and your pet prepared for the unexpected?