Pandemic Pets and Pet Companionship: Seven Benefits/Considerations for Care Coordination and Estate Planning

One thing that many people learned as they were forced to stay at home during the pandemic is that pet companionship is important. For many, life trapped in their home would've been unbearable had they not had their furry friends. 

An unanticipated effect of the pandemic was "a surge in interest in fostering and adopting pets." Although unanticipated, this effect is not surprising given the cancellation of social human interaction during the stay-at-home orders. 

With the surge in pet adoption, the significance and importance of care coordination and estate planning advice in regard to pets became increasingly clear. 

Below are seven benefits for pet owners and key considerations for aging individuals and people with special needs.

1. Reducing Isolation and Loneliness
2. Lowering Stress and Anxiety 
3. Improving Fitness
4. Increasing Social Interaction and Connection to the Community 
5. Improving Cardiovascular Health 
6. Improving Signs of Depression
7. Providing Routine and a Sense of Purpose

Considerations: 

• Choose someone you trust and who knows your pet to designate as a temporary or permanent caregiver for the pet.

• Estimate how much it will cost to feed, care for, and provide veterinary treatment for your pet’s lifetime.

• Include pets in your estate plan to ensure that they have a caregiver and money is set aside to pay for care. 

• Write down information about the pet’s feeding schedule, personality and behavior, medical conditions, and veterinarian information and provide the information to the designated caregiver. 
• Consider the benefits of pet trusts.

 

See Rebecca H. Miller, Pandemic Pets and Pet Companionship: Seven Benefits/Considerations for Care Coordination and Estate Planning, Chambliss Law, May 5, 2021. 

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.