Step 1

Step 1:
Selecting a Caretaker

The first step, and usually the most difficult, in planning for the care of your pet is selecting a suitable caretaker - a person or organization that is willing and able to provide the appropriate standard of pet care when you no longer can.

The combination of willingness and ability cannot be overemphasized. For example, a casual visitor to your home may “love” your iguana and may find the idea of having an iguana “neat”, but may not understand the burdens associated with everyday care of such an exotic pet. As another example, you may know someone who also has the same breed of dog as you and understands its special needs, but may not really be willing to double the workload.

Ideally, the process of selecting a caretaker should include the following steps:

(1) Communicate your expectations and any special needs of the pet to the potential caretaker.

(2) Introduce the potential caretaker to you pet and allow them to spend a reasonable amount of time together.

For example, the potential caretaker could pet-sit for a few days while you are on vacation. The purpose of the first two steps is to allow your potential caretaker the opportunity to accurately assess the responsibilities associated with the care of your pet before he or she makes the decision to accept the role.

(3) Decide and discuss with the potential caretaker whether or not, and to what extent, there will be reimbursement of expenses or other compensation.

You should consider including, at very least, financial provisions for reimbursement of the caretaker’s expenses. You should also consider whether or not additional compensation should be paid to your caretaker. The amount paid should be sufficient enough to buttress the caretaker’s sense of responsibility, but not so generous as to foster improper incentives (e.g., needlessly prolonging the life of a suffering pet). In any event, you will need to quantify, and set aside in your estate planning documents, the total amount of caretaking funds considering the life expectancy of your pet and how much you spend on your pet for food, water, toys, veterinary care, grooming, and other services that you normally provide, but a caretaker may have to hire someone else to do (e.g., walking, pet-sitting, etc.). Finally, you need to determine how the funds will be administered – i.e., will you give the caretaking funds directly to the caretaker without restriction or establish a “pet trust”. (See What Is a “Pet Trust"?.) Whatever you decide, you should discuss the arrangements with your caretaker beforehand.

(4) Ask whether the potential caretaker would like to serve.

This step comes after the previous three steps for a good reason - ultimately, your pet will not benefit from false expectations on the part of your caretaker. Furthermore, use of the term “ask” highlights the reality that promoting best interests of your pet does not mean making the would-be caretaker feel guilty for not accepting the role.

(5) Take the necessary steps to make your pet and any necessary information or documents accessible to the caretaker.

This final step is so important that it warrants its own page.

Depending on the circumstances, you may have to consider naming an organization as the caretaker for your pet. (See Where Can I Find an Organization to Care for My Pet When I No Longer Can?.)