Parman & Easterday can help pet owners to get the peace of mind that comes with knowing their animals will be cared for, no matter what happens in the future. Many pet owners are concerned that they will not be able to provide the stable lifelong home that their animal companions deserve. Whether illness, injury, or old age takes you away from your pet, you cannot and should not leave the fate of your animal to chance. We will help to make provisions for your pet so your incapacity or death will not mean an uncertain future for your animal.
Pet planning is not just something that should be done by senior citizens who own animals. Young people may experience an unexpected illness or injury that leaves them incapacitated or that results in an untimely death. In these tragic situations, pets may be even more at risk because pets may be an afterthought as families try to cope with an unexpected loss.
Parman & Easterday provides assistance to people of all ages with pet planning in and around Oklahoma City, OK. Give us a call to create your personalized plan and to get answers to questions including:
- What is involved in pet planning?
- Why is pet planning so important?
What is Involved in Pet Planning?
At its most basic level, pet planning should involve naming someone who is going to take care of your pet if you become incapacitated or if you pass away unexpectedly.
You can include a provision in your will specifying who should serve as the guardian of your animal. In fact, you may wish to name both a guardian as well as a backup guardian in case the person you selected as your first choice is not able to provide a home for your pet due to unforeseen circumstances. It is a good idea to talk with the person who you are naming as your pet guardian before you select them, to ensure they are able and willing to take on this task.
You may also wish to go further with your pet planning. You could, for example, decide to create a trust to leave money for the care of your dog, cat, or other companion animal. Doing this would allow you to ensure that your animal’s needs would always be met. You can leave money for veterinary care and also provide special instructions for how the cash should be used to enrich your pet’s quality of life when you are no longer there to provide the experiences your animal loves.
Why is Pet Planning so Important?
Pet planning is important because you take on responsibility for the animals that you bring into your home. Millions of innocent animals lose their lives each year because there simply are not enough homes for these pets. Shelters and rescue groups do their best to provide a place for pets until the animals can be adopted, but not all pets are adopted and the shelter environment can be a difficult place for an animal. When dogs, cats, or other pets become withdrawn in a shelter, the chances of their being adopted go down further.
You do not want your beloved pet to be left homeless, living in a shelter, or left with slim hopes of being adopted- especially if your animal is an older one who has been living with your family for a long time. You owe it to your pet to show the same love and concern for your animal as your pet does for you, and that means creating a plan so your pet is provided for even if you cannot be the person to offer care.
Give us a call today at (405) 843-6100 in Oklahoma City to learn more about the pet planning process. You can also contact us online to speak with a member of our legal team and find out how we can help you.
