The best way to love your pet is to make your plans.
Estate planning can be a sensitive or uncomfortable topic, and can feel like a lot to tackle. But it’s a critical step to protect your pets, families, and the things you care about, and it shouldn’t be left by the wayside. August is National Make-A-Will Month, so what better time to make your plan for the future than today?
When your will does not name a guardian for your pets, they could end up in an animal shelter as opposed to with an individual you trust. Here at Berkeley Humane, we want to make sure you can take care of your pet in any circumstance.
Not only does making a will dictate important decisions about who will be responsible for your furry friends, but also it gives you the opportunity to express how to best take care of your pets, such as how often to visit the veterinarian or what to feed them.
To help Berkeley Humane community members protect their pets — and all they love — we’ve partnered with FreeWill. Their free estate planning resource guides you through writing your will and creating other important estate planning documents, all in as little as 20 minutes.
If you would prefer to finalize your wishes with an attorney, you can use FreeWill to create a list of documented wishes to give yourself a head start and save time at the lawyer’s office.
Outside of your estate plan arrangements, it’s important to have a plan for your pets in case of emergencies:
- Choose Caregivers: Two people you trust, such as family or close friends, can have keys to your home, care and feeding instructions, and the name and contact information of your veterinarian in case of any emergencies.
- Inform Others: In addition to these caregivers, make sure that your neighbors and relatives know your emergency plan.
- Have it Written Down: Optionally, you can carry a card with your caregivers’ contact information in your wallet. Hang the information inside your front door or on your refrigerator so emergency responders are aware that you have a plan for your pets.
I hope FreeWill is useful as you use Make-A-Will Month to reflect on the importance of the people and pets in your life. With your help, we can reduce the number of animals in shelters, so make a plan for the future today.
Questions? Please contact Kristin Robson at krobson@berkeleyhumane.org.
