Do You Have a Pet Godparent? Should You?

Have you made plans for a pet godparent?

In light of the devastation that the COVID pandemic has caused globally, more pet owners are becoming aware of an uncomfortable question which must be answered.

That is, what becomes of your pet should you pass away? It’s hard to think about. But it’s also necessary.

Responsible pet (god)parenting

Most responsible parents of human kids will appoint a guardian in the event that anything happens to them. It brings you comfort to know that should the worst happen, there’s someone waiting in the wings to provide love, care, and support for your child. Normally, this is outlined in your will.

Having a will is considered essential planning. And in much the same vein, the question of what your family and friends will do with your dogs and cats is one well worth pondering.

Our Chief Operating Officer, Michelle Le Long, says “enlisting a pet godparent may sound quirky, but it helps safeguard your furkids’ future.”

Putting appropriate arrangements in place means your pets will always have a safe space to turn to, even when you’re gone. Which not only helps you secure your beloved pets’ futures, but also reduces the pressure on animal shelters and rescue organisations.

Plan for a pet godparent

Regardless of your age or health, if you’re a pet owner it’s worth considering appointing a pet guardian. After all, they’re much-loved family members, and you want to ensure their wellbeing no matter the situation.

Discuss ‘adoption’ with friends and family. If you have someone in mind who you think would provide a soft landing for your pet, talk to them. Once you’ve found your fairy pet godparent, confirm it. These sorts of arrangements should always be confirmed, not just implied. After all, taking on a pet can be a big responsibility.

It’s also a good idea to let your pet develop a relationship with your intended guardian from early on. Making sure your pet is comfortable around their godparent means that if they do actually have to step in, your pet will be used to them. Then they’re less likely to experience separation anxiety, depression, or fear.

When it comes to elderly or sick owners (especially knowing how long some cats live – and dogs too!), it can also be very beneficial for the pet godparent to provide weekly exercise or playtime. Not only do the furkids get exercise to ward off problems like diabetes in dogs and cats, it builds familiarity. Plus, it gives the primary pet parent some much-needed downtime.  

As Le Long says, “death is inevitable. That’s why planning for it is part of our culture. Planning should cover every aspect of your pet’s care, too. Putting necessary measures in place means peace of mind knowing they’ll be provided for in your absence.”

Remember to include provisions for your pet as an instruction in your will. Read about your will and provisions for pets in more detail here.

Pet insurance

Just like investing time in allocating a pet godparent, it’s worth taking out pet insurance for your pets. This means that there’s cover in place for expenses such as checkups, prescribed medication, or even emergency surgery or intervention.

In planning ahead for your pet’s needs, consider setting aside a lump sum and stipulating in your will that your pet insurance premiums should continue to be paid even after your passing.

This way, you can ensure your pet will still be able to receive medical treatment even if your pet godparent falls on hard times. It helps to alleviate some of the financial burden and responsibility that comes alongside being a trusted pet godparent.