In 2006, Pennsylvania adopted legislation commonly referred to as a pet trust statute. If you love your animals or have animals that are valuable (i.e. horses), you might want to consider implementing a pet trust as part of your estate plan.

A pet trust basically allows someone to create a trust that is funded with assets to care for animal upon the death of the person making the trust (called grantor or settler). The grantor would name someone as trustee to care for the animal with the money they have left in the trust upon their death. The trust would thereafter end upon the death of the grantor.

The Benefits of a Pet Trust:

• Despite a pet's short life expectancy, the pet may out live you. This is especially true now that medical intervention results in longer life expectancy for pets than in the past.
• Proper planning can provide for a care plan not only in the event of death but also incapacity.
• You can provide for a temporary emergency caregiver in the event that something unexpected happens to you - providing them with keys to your home, feeding and care instructions, the name of your veterinarian, and information about permanent care instructions.
• Planning can lead to peace of mind, reducing the anxiety that many pet owners experience when they envision their beloved pet living without them.
• There is no assurance that if you leave money to someone outright to care for your pet that they will do what they promised to do.
• Proving an orderly plan for your pet is the responsible and loving thing to do.

Facts about a Pet Trust:

• If you are no longer able to provide for the care of your pet, a PET TRUST can ensure that there are funds available and a caretaking system in place to care for your pet.
• A PET TRUST is a legal document you can create to ensure that your pets will be cared for as you yourself have cared for them.
• With the PET TRUST, you can
• Appoint a Caregiver and at least one backup Caregiver to provide care for your pet
  • Appoint a Trustee to make sure that the Caregiver is doing his or her job
  • Protect the money designated for the pet and ensure that it lasts for the duration of the pet's life
  • Give directions regarding health care needs, exercise needs, diet needs, preferred veterinarian, and burial/cremation plans for your pet.
  • Provide that any funds remaining in trust at the death of the pet goes to charity or a family member.
  • Provide a method for finding a caretaker in the event that the

Please contact the firm if you have any questions about making a pet trust to care for your pet. It is an exciting fact that Pennsylvania law now provides for this kind of opportunity.