• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

How to provide care for your dog after your death

Posted February 18, 2023

Older couple cuddle with poodle mix dog. To ensure your pet is cared for after your death, it's essential to make plans. Use this guide to help with that process.
To ensure your pet is cared for after your death, it’s essential to make plans. Use this guide to help with that process.

Dogs are amazing companions who provide great memories and help us get through happy and sad times. As we grow older, pet ownership can become even more beneficial. Since our dogs are so good to us while we are with them, it is only right to ensure that they have a nice life after your death.

If you are making preparations for the future and you want to ensure that your dog has an easy transition after your death, then we are here to help. But first, let’s talk a bit about the benefits of owning a dog when you are older.

Benefits and demands of dog ownership

The great thing about dogs is that they will love you regardless of your age or place in life. They love us when we are kids, and they can be especially helpful during our senior years. In fact, there are many mental and physical benefits of having a pet later in life. Among them is the fact that they promote exercise. If you have a dog, you must take them for a walk at least once a day. This routine will ensure you get up and moving and keep your bones and muscles strong.

Pets also create great social opportunities, which is especially important if you are a widower or you are a couple that needs more chances to get out and have fun. Taking your pet to the dog park or to a pet-friendly restaurant is a great way to meet other like-minded people.

It is also important to take care of your dog while you have them with you. Start by finding an adequate pet insurance plan, which helps to cover emergency expenses and preventative care. Once you have secured pet insurance, you must find a good veterinarian and bring your dog in for regular visits. A vet will ensure that your dog is up-to-date on their vaccinations. Plus, a vet can catch health ailments before they get too far along.

The point is that you need to provide a healthy life for your dog. When you die, you will want to find someone that will continue to treasure your pet the way you do. The good news is that you have several options to do so.

How to set up a new life for your dog

Man does Yoga with pug. Finding a loving home for your pup after your death doesn't need to be complicated. Reach out to someone close and ask them if they would consider taking care of your pup temporarily or permanently.
Finding a loving home for your pup after your death doesn’t need to be complicated. Reach out to someone close and ask them if they would consider taking care of your pup temporarily or permanently.

It is essential that you make a decision now because failure to have a plan could result in animal control coming in and bringing your unclaimed pet to the animal shelter. While new families adopt many sheltered animals, the sad fact is that many pets die while in the care of a shelter. Often, the best chance for your dog is for them to land in a no-kill shelter, but even that is not guaranteed without a plan.

There are some dos and don’ts regarding what you can do for your pet in these situations. Unfortunately, you cannot make your dog a beneficiary on your life insurance. In addition to the fact that your pet is unable to sign the documentation, there is also nowhere for the money to go since a pet cannot legally open a bank account.

One action that you can take is to include the dog in your will. The point of a will is to ensure proper property distribution, and it can include directions on where your animal will go when you die. You can determine who will get the pet and you can provide a certain amount of money to that person for the pet’s care.

The problem with a will is that it is not always legally enforceable. Instead, you can create a trust. This is a more legally binding and iron-clad agreement that allows you to name a caregiver, provide them funds to care for your pet, and you can also dictate where the rest of the money will go if the animal dies. For instance, some people opt to send the rest of those funds to a charity, such as a local rescue organization.

Deciding who should take care of your pup

It is important to remember that you don’t necessarily need to go through extensive legal channels when it comes to deciding a path for your dog once you die. You can also seek a friend, family member, or neighbor that you have a connection with and ask if they would be willing to take your pup when you die. That individual can even be a temporary caregiver until they find a permanent solution.

You must have a conversation with this potential caregiver before you make a decision to leave your pet with them. Verify that they are willing to watch over your dog and ask if they have any reservations about the request. If you find a good candidate, then get the agreement in writing.

Final thoughts on caring for your dog after your death

It’s also a good idea to have a plan in case you die suddenly. If the authorities who help you don’t know what to do with your dog, then they may still end up in the shelter.

To prevent that issue, consider carrying an alert card in your purse or wallet that directs authorities to your emergency caregivers. Also, to be prepared if you suffer a fatal incident at home, you should also consider posting instructions on the inside of the door of your house that mentions emergency contacts and what to do with your dog.

There are many different routes you can take to ensure that your dog is cared for once you die. Take some time to think about your options and then choose the best course for yourself and your pup.

Miles Oliver is a proud dog lover and an outdoor enthusiast. He often writes on his patio with a hot cup of tea and his 4-year-old border collie mix by his feet. When Miles is not working as an independent freelance writer, he is most likely mountain biking and roaming the great outdoors with his four-legged companion. 

Related Posts

  • Boy kisses Golden Retriever. When a family dog dies often is the first time a child experiences death or has to think about what death means.
    How to help your kids navigate the death of the family dog

    When a family dog dies often is the first time…

  • How to deal with grief after losing a pet
    How to deal with grief after losing a pet

    When a pet dies, it's perfectly normal to feel grief.…

  • Senior woman holds poodle. Seniors benefit from caring for pets.
    Another heartbeat in the house: Seniors benefit from caring for pets

    Seniors benefit from caring for pets because they provide companionship,…

  • Two girls cuddle in bed with Bernese mountain dog puppy. The psychological benefits of owning a dog include teaching responsibility.
    5 psychological benefits of owning a dog

    Psychological benefits of owning a dog include building bonds, reducing…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Puppy kindergartenVeterinarianValentine's DayTicksPomeranianPit bullSocializationService dogstraining tipsOld dogsYorkshire terrierTwo dogsSeparation anxietyPawVacation dog carePandemicWaterPetfinder.comSheddingPuppy-proofWorking dogsRottweilerPoodleThanksgivingRescue dogSmall dogsPet parentsOutdoor activitiesPet sitterPotty training

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Does my dog show love? Understand 12 signs of affection from dogs
    But how do dogs show their love? Let's take a closer look at some of the most common signs of affection from dogs. […]
  • Is a smart, loyal, hard-working wolf dog your dream dog?
    Wolf-dog breeds like Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are loyal, smart companions that make ideal family dogs. […]
  • First-time dog owner? Try this 8-step dog nutrition guide
    Use this easy-to-follow dog nutrition guide for first-time owners to guarantee that your loving companion stays happy and healthy. […]
  • Discover the differences in 5 types of greyhound dog breeds
    Greyhound breeds known for their speed and graceful appearance include Whippets, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Scottish Greyhounds. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.