Are you the proud owner of a pet? Do you consider your dog, cat or any other sort of animal to be like a member of your family? If so, then you should ensure that they’re adequately taken care of after you die. When the Chanhassen, MN cremation is over and done with, you’ll need someone to love and take care of your pet so that it wants for nothing for the rest of its life. Here are some tips to help you make the arrangements needed to safeguard your pet’s interests.
Look for Someone to Take Care of Your Pet
Your first order of business is to find someone who you can trust to take care of your pet. If you live with relatives, then you might not have to worry about it since the rest of the family will continue to care for the family pet. But if you must look outside of your family for someone to take in and care for your beloved pet, then you’ll need to consider who would make a good caretaker. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider possible candidates:
- Does the person you’re considering love animals?
- Does the person have the space to take care of your pet?
- Does the person have the time and patience to provide proper care?
- Does the person want to take this responsibility after you’ve passed away?
These are some of the questions you’ll want to ask as you mull over who can care for your pet when you die.
Select Someone and Get Their Acceptance in Writing
After an exhaustive search process that leads to a shortlist of candidates, work your way down the list to ultimately find someone who’ll take on the responsibility. Explain exactly what you expect so that the person who accepts responsibility knows exactly what they are supposed to do. What you’ll want is for someone to take care of the needs of your beloved pet in your absence, so it’s important that you spell out the standard of care you’re looking for. Also be sure to get their commitment to take on this duty in writing so that things flow smoothly after you die.
Write it Down
This is yet another reason why it’s important to have a will. When you have a legally enforceable will, you’ll be able to ensure that your assets are distributed the way you want them to be. You can stipulate who will take care of your pet and even designate that some of your estate be given to the caretaker to meet the financial obligations of caring for your pet. Without a will, your wishes may not be carried out. So make an appointment to see a lawyer and get a will done. Also be sure to update it annually as changing circumstances warrant.
It can seem odd to make these sorts of plans. After all, who wants to focus on matters related to their own mortality? The reality, however, is that no one will live forever, so you should make arrangements not only for who will take care of your pet after you pass away, but also for other things. While you’re thinking about who will take care of your pet after you die, don’t forget to consider what your final services will be after you die. At Scott County Cremation, we focus on providing direct cremation. For a free consultation on cremation in Chanhassen, MN, call us at (952) 402-9000 or visit us at 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN 55379.