Planning Who Will Care for a Pet if Something Happens to Its Owner
How to choose a carer, write a simple emergency plan, and look at long-term arrangements for a much-loved animal.
A short plan can prevent a great deal of worry
Making a pet-care plan can prevent confusion if you become ill, have to go into hospital, move into care or die. A clear plan helps another person understand what your pet needs and who has agreed to help.
Ask the people you have in mind
Speak to the people you would like to care for your pet. Do not assume that somebody will be able to take responsibility without asking them first.
Practical steps, section by section
Choose a main carer and a backup
- Choose somebody who knows the pet, or is willing to learn about its needs.
- Discuss the responsibility openly.
- Confirm that the person's home, health, finances and other animals are compatible.
- Choose at least one backup person.
- Review the agreement when circumstances change.
- Avoid naming someone without their knowledge or agreement.
Make an emergency pet-care plan
Write down, on one sheet of paper:
- Your name and contact details.
- Main and backup carers.
- Veterinary practice and emergency veterinary contact.
- Pet's name, species, breed, age and microchip number.
- Medication, medical conditions and allergies.
- Feeding routine and dietary restrictions.
- Exercise and toileting routine.
- Behaviour, fears, triggers and handling needs.
- Information about other animals or children.
- Insurance details.
- Location of food, medication, carrier, lead and veterinary records.
- Who may enter the home, and how authorised access will be arranged.
Do not put keys, security codes or sensitive personal information on a public notice or card.
Carry an emergency contact card
A small card in your wallet, or an emergency contact saved on your phone, can tell anyone helping you that a pet may be alone at home.
“My pet may be alone at home. Please contact [name and telephone number].”
The card should not display your full home address, alarm code or where a key is kept.
Temporary illness or a hospital stay
- Help from family, friends or neighbours.
- A trusted pet sitter or boarding provider.
- Temporary fostering, where it is available.
- Asking your veterinary practice about reputable local services.
- Contacting organisations that support older or seriously ill pet owners.
Our page on help when a pet owner goes into hospital explains who to contact first and what a temporary carer needs to know.
Planning through a will
A will can record what you would like to happen to your pet, but arrangements should be discussed with the proposed carer in advance. Because pets cannot manage an inheritance themselves, anyone considering leaving money towards a pet's care should obtain appropriate legal advice.
- Keep the plan updated.
- Tell executors and close family that it exists.
- Avoid relying only on instructions stored somewhere nobody can access quickly.
- Legal arrangements differ across the UK.
- Sixpence Support UK does not provide legal advice.
GOV.UK – making a will (opens in a new tab). People in Scotland or Northern Ireland may need nation-specific legal information, so check with a solicitor in your own nation.
Long-term care and rehoming services
- The Cinnamon Trust – support for older or terminally ill people and their pets, including certain long-term arrangements (opens in a new tab).
- Dogs Trust Canine Care Card – future care arrangements for dogs (opens in a new tab).
- Cats Protection Cat Guardians – future care arrangements for cats (opens in a new tab).
Registration, eligibility and availability vary. Contact the organisation directly, read its current terms and never assume that a place has been reserved until the organisation confirms it.
If no friend or relative can help
- Contact reputable species-specific rescue organisations in advance.
- Ask what registration or advance-care schemes are available.
- Check whether the organisation assesses potential new homes.
- Keep written confirmation of any arrangement.
- Review the arrangement periodically.
Never abandon a pet, and try not to leave the matter until an emergency if planning is possible.
Review the plan
- At least once a year.
- After moving home.
- When the pet's health or medication changes.
- When a nominated carer's circumstances change.
- When contact, veterinary or insurance details change.
A simple, current plan is more useful than a detailed plan that nobody knows exists
One clear page, kept somewhere obvious and known to the people close to you, will do far more good than a long document in a locked drawer.
Other pages that may help
Important information
Sixpence Support UK provides general information and links to other organisations. We do not provide legal advice, and we cannot guarantee that any organisation will accept a pet or a registration. Legal arrangements differ across the UK, so please obtain professional advice where needed.