Dogs and cats are not just pets but an integral part of family life. According to PDSA and YouGov, 30% of UK adults own a dog, and 24% of UK adults own a cat. With such a significant number of pet owners in the UK, it is therefore important that consideration is given to what life will look like for our beloved animals if we were to pass away.
Research consistently shows that most owners haven’t made any legal or financial provisions for their animals. A pet left without clear instructions can end up in limbo at exactly the moment your family is least equipped to deal with it – grieving, dealing with probate, and unsure who’s responsible. A few simple steps in your Will can remove that uncertainty entirely.
In this blog, we will outline the provisions you can make in your Will and what happens if you don’t clarify this in your Will.
What happens to my pet when I die? How to include them in your Will
Under UK law, pets are classed as personal property, meaning money and gifts cannot be left to them directly. However, there are provisions that you can incorporate into your Will that can provide you with the peace of mind that, in the event that you pass away before your pet, they will be well looked after.
This has real consequences for how you plan. Because your pet cannot inherit money or be a named beneficiary, the most effective approach is to choose a person, likely a friend or family member, to receives your pet and, optionally, a gift of money, as well as clear, non-binding guidance on how that gift should be used.
Who will look after my pet?
In your Will, you have more control and can decide to leave your pet to a named person. Before doing so, you may wish to consider who your animal is already familiar with and speak to this person to see whether they would be willing and happy to look after them. In the event that the named person passes before you or is no longer willing to look after your pet upon your death, you should also consider adding a substitute.
You can also prepare a Letter of Wishes to sit with your Will, providing guidance on how best to care for your pet. A well-prepared Letter of Wishes can cover: their daily routine and feeding schedule, any behavioural quirks or triggers, your vet’s contact details and a summary of their medical history, whether they’re insured and with whom, and any preferences you have around continuing (or ending) that cover.
The more specific you are, the easier it is for your chosen carer to step in with minimal disruption to your pet’s routine.
What if I don’t make such provisions in my Will?
If you pass away before making provisions in your Will for your pet, they will be held by your Executor/Administrator. It will be up to them to decide what happens to the pet. They may keep the pet, rehome or surrender them.
In practice, this can mean a period of real uncertainty for your pet while your estate is administered, which can take weeks or months. If your Executor is unable to keep the pet themselves and no family member steps forward, animals can end up with a rescue charity. This is entirely avoidable with a small amount of planning now.
If you don’t have family or friends able to take on a pet, some UK charities specialise in handling this situation. The Cinnamon Trust, for example, supports elderly and terminally ill owners by arranging long-term foster care or rehoming for pets when their owner can no longer care for them, and can also step in after a death. Registering with a charity like this in advance means your pet has a safety net even if your first-choice arrangements fall through.
Providing for your pet
As you know, caring for a pet can be expensive. This can increase as they get older and require more medical care. You may wish to plan ahead and leave money to the person you chose to care for your pet. Make sure to consider what you think would be a reasonable sum for the lifelong care of your pet.
How we can help
Making provisions for your pet is a small addition to a Will but can make a significant difference to their welfare and your peace of mind. It’s often best considered alongside a wider review of your Will – see our article “Update Your Will” for other commonly missed clauses.
Our Wills and Estates team can help you with this process, so if you have any questions about making provisions for your pet in your will, please do not hesitate to contact us.
