Who will look after your pet?

If something happens to you, the people who step in will want to know what your pet needs. Write it down once, choose who will care for them, and share the plan.

Your pets

Only their name is needed. Add whatever would help someone care for them the way you do.

Your details stay on this device. We only count that the tool was used, never what you write. Nothing is sent unless you copy, email or print your plan.

Who will care for them?

Choose someone you trust, and a backup in case they can't. It's best to ask them first and give them a copy of this plan.

First choice

The person you'd most like to take them in.

So you can email them the plan.

Have they agreed?

Backup

In case your first choice can't.

Have they agreed?

A few last details

These help your carer settle your pet in without having to guess.

Where it is, and how your carer can use it for food, vet visits and other costs.

Their bed, lead, carrier, food and medicines, and papers like vet records, registration and insurance.

So your carers know whose plan it is.

Needed to make your plan

Your plan

Print it for the fridge, save it as a PDF, or send it to your carers. It updates as you change your details above.

Add your pet's name and the name of the person you'd like to care for them, and your plan will appear here.

Your details stay on this device.

It tells people what your pet needs and who you'd like to care for them, but it can't make it happen. Under Australian law, pets are treated as property, so they can't inherit money. To make it legal, put it in your Will. You can leave your pet, and money for their care, to the person you've chosen, along with your wishes for how they're looked after.

Talk to them first. Money left with a request to look after your pet can't be made binding, so choose someone you trust. For a trust for your pet, or anything more complex, talk to a lawyer or the public trustee in your state or territory.

Make your Will online
GRIEF SUPPORT

Grief for a pet is real, and it can hit hard. Griefline is now part of SANE Australia. SANE's free Service Enquiries line, 1800 187 263 (weekdays except public holidays, 10am to 8pm AEST/AEDT), can help you find grief support. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are there any time, day or night, and Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) supports children and young people. Your vet clinic may also offer grief support. In an emergency, call 000.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Gaia can support you through what follows, with care and guidance when you need it most.

Create a Will online

Document who looks after your pet if something happens to you.
Pet end of life care

Gentle guidance when your pet is nearing the end of their life.
Arrange a pet funeral

A caring cremation or burial, arranged in just 15 minutes.

Still have questions?

Not directly. Under Australian law, pets are treated as property, so they can't receive a gift in a Will. You can leave your pet, and money for their care, to a person you trust or to an animal charity. Some people set up a trust for their pet's care. That's more complicated, so get legal advice first.

Your pet is treated like the rest of your belongings. If your Will doesn't mention them, they generally go to the person who inherits the rest of your estate. If you don't have a valid Will, they generally go to your next of kin. That may not be the person you'd choose, so it helps to name a carer in your Will.

Give a copy to your first choice and backup carer, and keep one somewhere easy to find at home. If you've made an enduring power of attorney or appointed a guardian, give them a copy too, so they know what to do if you're ever unable to care for your pet yourself. Update it when something changes, like a new medicine or a new vet.