There are currently many pets in Great Notley and throughout Essex, but how many people have planned care for their pets should they die? Laura Richardson now takes you through some of the problems that could arise if you do not plan for your pets future after you die and what you can do to potentially prevent these problems for your pets in Great Notley . . .

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Sadly many pets are moved to shelters, or even put to sleep due to the lack of funding to care for them. We at Andrew Douglas Wills and Legal Services can help ensure that all pets are cared for when you die.

You may believe that a relative or friend would care for your pet, however this may not be feasible for monetary reasons or perhaps because they don’t have suitable accommodation. It may also be that they do not have enough time to dedicate to your pet. Furthermore, your pet may be a constant sad reminder of your death, and it may just be too painful.

It is possible to name in your Will a certain family member or friend to look after your pet, however they are not legally required to do so, and can refuse the request. It is important to discuss your wishes with your chosen carer, however you must bear in mind that if their circumstances change they may no longer be able to care for your pet. It is a good idea to include in your Will a letter detailing your pet’s requirements so that your chosen carer can carry on the care for your pet as you would wish. If you are concerned about the financial implications of looking after your pet, it is possible to create a Trust within your Will for an amount of money to be used for the care of your pet. Usually the Trust would be Discretionary, allowing the carer to use their judgement as to how the funds are spent on your pet.

If you do not have a family member or friend who would be willing or able to care for your pet, there are alternative options. Several animal care charities offer Pre-need Registration. These charities then ensure that your pet is cared for after you die, for the duration of its natural life. The care takes place either through rehoming or if this is not possible then the charity themselves arrange the care for your pet.

Finally, you may consider gifting a donation to one of the animal charities as part of your Will. Gifting to charity can have beneficial tax implications, but also it will ensure that pets across Essex and the UK can continue to be cared for in the future.

If you would like to discuss arrangements for your pets in Great Notley after your death, please contact Andrew Douglas Wills and Legal Services via www.andrewdouglaswills.co.uk and we will be only too glad to book you in for an initial consultation.

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