Home & family

Pets: who takes them?

A name and a backup name. That's most of it.

If something happened to you tomorrow, who would feed your pets tonight? Writing down one answer takes a minute, and it saves your family a hard guess in a hard week.

What to write down

• Who takes each pet, and a backup in case they can't
• Your vet's name and phone number
• Food, medications and any health conditions
• Anything that helps, like "hides under the bed with strangers" or "only eats the chicken flavor"

Asking first

Many people check with the person before putting their name down. A pet can be a big commitment, and it's easier on everyone to find out now than to surprise them later.

Want something more formal?

You can mention pets in your will, and every state now allows a pet trust, which sets money aside for a pet's care. The rules for setting one up vary by state. Both are optional. A clear note in your binder already covers what most families need.