What Happens to My Pets When I Die?

How to Protect Your Pets in Your Will

For many people, pets are family. They give companionship, comfort and unconditional love — so it’s only natural to worry about what would happen to them if you were no longer around.

Yet surprisingly, many Wills don’t mention pets at all, leaving loved ones scrambling to decide who should take responsibility, or worse, leaving animals at risk of being rehomed or placed in rescue centres.

The good news is that with the right planning, you can make sure your pets are safe, cared for and loved after you’re gone.

Can I Leave My Pets Money in My Will?

In England and Wales, pets are legally classed as property, not people. This means you cannot leave money directly to an animal.

However, you can:

• name a person to look after your pet, and

• leave money to support the pet’s care.

The key is structuring this properly so your wishes are followed.

What Happens If I Don’t Include My Pets in My Will?

If your Will is silent about pets:

• There is no legal obligation on anyone to care for them

• Family members may disagree about what should happen

• Your pets could be sold, passed between homes, or surrendered to a charity

• Any money you hoped would be used for their care may never reach them

This uncertainty can be avoided with a few simple steps.

The Best Way to Protect Your Pets in a Will

1. Name a Pet Guardian

You should clearly state who you want to look after your pet.

Choose someone who:

• genuinely likes animals

• understands your pet’s needs

• is willing and able to take on the responsibility

It’s also wise to name a backup guardian in case your first choice cannot act.

⚠️ Always speak to the person first — never assume.

2. Leave Money for Your Pet’s Care

Looking after a pet costs money. In your Will, you can leave a sum to help cover:

• food

• vet bills

• insurance

• grooming

• boarding or pet sitting

This can be done by:

• leaving money outright to the guardian (simpler, but relies on trust), or

• placing money into a trust, with instructions that it must be used for the pet’s benefit.

A trust offers greater protection, especially for larger sums.

3. Consider a Pet Trust

A pet trust allows you to:

• ring-fence money specifically for your pet

• appoint trustees to oversee how the money is used

• specify what happens to any leftover funds after the pet dies

This is particularly useful if:

• your pet has special medical needs

• you want tighter control over spending

• you don’t want money misused

4. Include Clear Instructions

Your Will (or a separate Letter of Wishes) can include guidance on:

• diet and feeding routines

• medication

• exercise needs

• favourite toys or habits

• vets or insurers you prefer

While these instructions are not legally binding, they are extremely helpful and often followed closely.

The Dos and Don’ts of Planning for Pets

✅ DO

• Include pets explicitly in your Will

• Choose a guardian carefully

• Leave enough money to realistically cover costs

• Keep details up to date if circumstances change

• Tell people where your Will is stored

❌ DON’T

• Assume family will “just sort it out”

• Leave money to a pet directly

• Rely on verbal promises

• Forget about long-term or elderly pets

• Delay — accidents and illness can happen at any time

What About Temporary Care?

Your Will only takes effect after death, so it’s sensible to also:

• keep a pet emergency card in your wallet

• let trusted friends or family know who to contact

• make short-term arrangements in case of hospitalisation

This avoids pets being left alone or taken into emergency care unnecessarily.

Reviewing Your Will

Pets’ needs change over time — and so do people’s circumstances. You should review your Will if:

• you get a new pet

• a pet dies

• your chosen guardian can no longer help

• your financial position changes

Regular reviews ensure your plans still work when they’re needed most.

Final Thoughts

Your pets depend on you — and planning ahead is one of the most loving things you can do for them.

By including clear instructions, choosing the right people, and putting proper legal protection in place, you can have complete peace of mind that your pets will be cared for exactly as you intended.

If you’d like help including pets in your Will, or advice on pet trusts and guardianship, Secure Wills can guide you through every step.