The Pet Prenup: Have You Thought About It?

Nobody likes thinking about things that could go wrong, but in an uncertain world it’s always best to plan for the worst as well as the best. When it comes to a potential split-up in future, a pet prenup is something pet parents should be considering.

After all, managing your risk in other ways means covering yourself via safeguards like life insurance, a will and taking care of your health. Even putting on your seatbelt each day is a type of risk mitigation.

When it comes to marriage, a prenuptial, or prenup, is almost a given. You want to make sure both parties are protected should you need to go your separate ways. Separation or divorce is never the goal, but it is a possibility. The prenup helps to keep things clear and certain during stressful times.

So why do more couples not have pet prenups?

What is a pet prenup?

Whether you’re married, living together, dating, or anything else – if you get pets together, a pet prenup can offer protection. Both for the pet parents and the pets themselves.

After all, the furkids are part of the family you’ve formed. And if you split up, who keeps the pets?

“It’s a question worthy of significant consideration,” says Michelle Le Long, Chief Operating Officer at PD Insurance. “Knowing who will take responsibility for pets, under what sort of visitation and other arrangements, is crucial in moving on from a divorce, separation, or break up.”

Basically, a pet prenup means you and your former partner won’t spend hours arguing about your pawed pals or use them as ammunition in a disagreement. Plus, making sure provisions for the pets are set out reduces tension and friction during an already difficult time.

You don’t want to be fighting like cat and dog, especially not over dogs and cats. And you certainly don’t want your beloved pet to bear the brunt of spite or vindictiveness from an ex-partner.

Is it really necessary?

Of course, whether you get a pet prenup is largely up to you. The same way it’s up to you whether you secure a prenuptial agreement before you get married.

But for astute pet parents, it’s worth thinking about. Even if your relationship is rosy right now. With pet ownership levels increasing due to the pandemic, and relationships being put under unusual amounts of strain due to today’s unusual circumstances, Le Long mentions that in the United Kingdom “pet-nups” are quickly gaining popularity.

Usually, a prenuptial agreement is a legal contract entered into by a couple prior to marriage or a civil union. Effectively, it lays out conditions around who gets what when it comes to property and assets, retirement benefits, and spousal support or maintenance.

Prenups are mostly concerned with property, and although we don’t think of our pets this way “in the eyes of the law, pets are property,” says Le Long. Creating a pet prenup that outlines who’ll be primary owner in a separation is really valuable.

We know breakups are hard on the couple, as well as any associated parties like kids, families, and friends. But we often overlook that a split’s distressing for your pets too. They’re creatures of habit who often form strong bonds with multiple people. So if their living arrangements and human interactions change, they feel unsettled and stressed out. It can even be a trigger for separation anxiety.

And that, really, is the main case for pet prenups. At the end of the day, all responsible and loving pet parents want to do their best by their furry companions.

How do you get a pet prenup?

The good news is you don’t necessarily need a lawyer for a legally binding pet prenup. If you’re watching the purse strings, there are loads of pet prenup templates available online. If you prefer to go the official route, you can contact a local lawyer and ask them to draw a pet prenup up for you.  

“A prenup is a bit like a pet insurance policy,” says Le Long. “While you don’t want risk to become reality, if it does, it always pays to be prepared. For both your and your pet’s overall wellbeing.”

And while we’re talking about planning for what’s best for your pet, why not check out our pet insurance too? That way, you have access to a wide range of medical care and treatment for your pet over its lifetime without having to shell out the entire cost from your savings.