If you are a pet parent, you want the best for your fur babies. From toys to exercise to food, your furry family member loves you just as much as you love them. But what happens if you can no longer take care of your pet? Do you have a plan in place? To make sure your pet is cared for if you can’t care for them yourself, a pet power of attorney is one way to ensure your pet is taken care of.
So, what exactly is a Pet Power of Attorney? It’s a written document that legally authorizes a designated person to act on another person’s behalf as it relates to your pet and their care. The main idea behind a pet power of attorney is to formalize the arrangement you have with a family member, friend, or anyone that will be caring for your pet if you can’t. This person is required by law, once the document is signed, to make sure your requests are adhered to as much as possible.
Yes, we all count our pets as family members, but unfortunately, the law treats them as property in most cases. What this means is that if you, for some reason, can’t take care of your pet, the law doesn’t offer specifics in terms of how to authorize care. That’s where a Power of Attorney can help your pet.
You want to consider two types of Pet Power of Attorney depending on your situation and how long you want this arrangement to be: Non-Durable (Limited) Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney.
The Non-Durable Power of Attorney is for when you want to designate a person to make decisions when it comes to your pet temporarily. A limited durable pet power of attorney can only be enforced while you’re still alive and can take care of yourself. If you pass away or become incapacitated, you’ll have to make sure you have a more permanent solution.
A Durable Power of Attorney is a more permanent arrangement that doesn’t have an expiration date. You can have it take effect immediately and even stipulate that this person will take care of your pet even after you die or become incapacitated. Some states may have different regulations. Contact us to review the guidelines if you live in Massachusetts or Connecticut.
There’s nothing wrong with trusting that your family member will know what to do when it comes to your pet. Creating a pet power of attorney will clarify what you want to take care of. It also helps to lessen the burden on someone else, making sure they’ve made the right decision. It’s more about eliminating any confusion or miscommunication that may happen regarding your wishes. It’s about making sure your wishes are met your pet is safe and happy. Contact us today if you have any questions.