Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pet Trust?
A Pet Trust is a legal document that protects your pet when you become sick or die. It contains the guidelines of how you want your pet to be cared for in your absence with the money you leave for that care.
Why do I need a Pet Trust?
A Pet Trust will make sure your pet is re-homed when you can't take care of it and not placed in a shelter where it could be euthanized. It contains the guidelines for the care of your pet that the Caretaker will agree to follow so your pet can be cared for according to your wishes and continue to live the lifestyle it is accustomed to.
I'm 37 years old. Why should I make a Pet Trust now and not wait until I'm older?
It is recommended that you prepare your Pet Trust as early as possible because illness and accidents can happen at any time. If something happens to you, a Pet Trust will protect your pet's future, keeping it out of a shelter where it could be euthanized, and enable it to be rehomed and cared for the way you wish.
Who will take care of my pet when I can't?
Most Pet Trusts arrange for the pet to go right to the Caretaker when the owner can't care for it anymore. However, this is not always ideal. Edwin D Marks Animal Foundation encourages the use of a Foster in the care of your pet. The Foster can take the pet right away and help it adjust to life without you. They nurture and love the pet like you do until they feel comfortable it is ready to be re-homed forever with a Caretaker who has agreed to follow the guidelines of your Pet Trust.
I don't have a lot of money. Can I still make a Pet Trust?
Yes! You don't need a lot of money to open an account. There are many different ways to fund your Pet Trust. You can start out with a smaller sum of money and then you use life insurance, the sale of your real estate property or personal items, financial investments, etc to fund the Trust. Your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor can help guide you.
My best friend said she'd take care of my dog so why do I need a Pet Trust?
Our best friends have the best of intentions but if anything happens and she can't care for your pet, there will be no backup plan and your pet will wind up in a shelter where it could be euthanized. If you name your best friend the Caretaker of your Pet Trust and something happens to her, the Trust has it covered, and the Trustee will make immediate arrangements for your pet to be re-homed with someone else instead of winding up in a shelter... or worse!
What makes your plans on how to prepare Pet Trusts better than others?
Pet Trusts are a relatively new area of law and the information available is extremely vague. Because of this, lawyers and estate planners are often not well versed in or experienced with writing them.
Edwin D Marks Animal Foundation has spent years researching Pet Trusts and we have developed our own format to make your Pet Trusts simple to understand and follow. Our method results in an individualized, detailed, and comprehensive document to assist your Pet Trust representative with the Care instructions that should be included in your Trust. Our Pet Trust format can help you save time and money too!