Without family to default to, choosing a pet caregiver requires the same deliberate approach as choosing a power of attorney.
What to look for
- Someone who already knows and likes your pet, ideally
- Financial and practical capacity to take on an additional animal
- Explicit agreement to the role, not an assumed willingness
Name a backup to your backup — the same redundancy principle that applies to your human care team applies here too.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Pet trust and estate planning rules vary by state — consult an estate attorney to set up a legally enforceable arrangement.