Planning for Your Pet’s Future: Creating a Pet Trust
Whether you have a horse, dog, cat, parrot, or even an exotic pet such as a snake or lizard, you can ensure their care after you are gone — or if you become unable to care for them — by setting up a pet trust.
A pet trust is a legally recognized arrangement (available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia) that specifies how your pet will be cared for and funded after your death or incapacity. Like wills and other trusts, each state has unique rules for creating and administering a pet trust. If you move to a new state, it is important to update your trust to comply with local law.
What Does a Pet Trust Include?
A pet trust works much like a living trust. As the grantor, you decide how assets will be handled for your pet’s benefit. You appoint a trustee, who manages the money or property in the trust, and ensure those funds are used solely for your pet’s care.
Typical expenses a pet trust can cover include:
Routine and emergency veterinary care
Grooming and hygiene costs
Food and treats (including specific brands, if preferred)
Boarding and pet-sitting services
Exercise, playtime, and companionship care
End-of-life treatment, burial, or cremation arrangements
Some states limit how long a pet trust can remain active — often 21 years — so it’s important to plan carefully. Our team can help you understand state-specific laws and draft a pet trust that fits your needs.
Planning Your Pet Trust and Choosing a Trustee
Creating a pet trust involves naming a trustee to manage the funds and a caregiver who will provide day-to-day care for your pet. It’s wise to name a successor trustee and backup caregiver in case your first choice is unable to serve.
You may even need separate pet trusts for different animals — for example, horses and dogs — since their care needs and costs are very different.
Key considerations when setting up a pet trust include:
Your pet’s current standard of living
The level of care you expect from the caregiver
How caregivers will report updates on your pet to the trustee
Your pet’s life expectancy and potential health concerns
How and when the trust should be activated (e.g., at death or incapacity)
Estimated care costs and how much funding to set aside
What happens to any remaining funds once your pet passes away (e.g., distribute to heirs or donate to charity)
To prevent fraud, your pet must be clearly identifiable, ideally with a microchip. Include photos, descriptions, and any relevant veterinary records as part of the trust documentation.
Making Your Wishes Clear
Your pet trust can be as detailed as you want. Include preferences about:
Types or brands of food
Daily exercise routines or favorite walking locations
Playtime schedules or special care instructions
This ensures your pet’s routine stays familiar, which can ease their stress during the transition. Be sure to provide your trustee and designated caregiver with a copy of the trust and update them if anything changes (such as moving to a new state or if a pet passes away).
Why a Pet Trust Matters
Because pets cannot legally inherit money or property, a pet trust is the only way to guarantee they are provided for financially and emotionally after your death. It gives you peace of mind knowing your beloved companion will be well cared for.
If you are ready to create a pet trust or update your existing estate plan to include your pets, we can help. Call (207) 848-5600 or visit our CONTACT page to schedule a consultation.
