How To Ensure Lifelong Care for Your Pets in Your Will

Why You Should Include Your Birds in Your Will

1.  Birds Live Longer Than You Think

As bird lovers, we know how special and long-lasting the bond with our feathered friends can be. Birds like parrots, cockatoos, and macaws can live for decades—sometimes even 80 years or more. Whether you’re young with your whole life ahead of you or later in life planning for the future, your bird will likely be by your side for a long time. Including them in your estate plan ensures that no matter what happens, they’ll always be cared for.

2.  Peace of Mind for Every Stage of Life

Life is unpredictable, and whether you’re healthy or facing challenges, securing your bird’s future provides deep peace of mind. For younger bird owners, it’s easy to think accidents or illness won’t happen—but what if they do? Older bird lovers may be thinking ahead about their legacy. No matter where you are in life, planning for your bird’s care offers reassurance that they will never be left in uncertainty.

3.  Avoid Stressful Rehoming

Birds are incredibly sensitive creatures that bond deeply with their humans. Sudden changes, like losing their caregiver, can cause stress, anxiety, and even behavior issues like feather plucking. If something happens to you, rehoming your bird without a plan can lead to an unstable future for them. By making sure they’re in your will or trust, you guarantee they transition smoothly to a loving new caregiver who understands their needs.

4.  Financial Support for Their Special Needs

Birds require specialized care—whether it’s diet, enrichment, or vet visits. Not everyone can afford that kind of care, especially if they don’t plan for it. Setting aside funds for your bird through a trust means that whoever takes over their care won’t have to struggle to meet their needs. This is especially important for older bird lovers who may want to make sure their bird’s lifestyle doesn’t change when they’re no longer around.

5.  Leave a Legacy of Love That Lasts

Including your bird in your estate plan is more than just a legal step—it’s a way to ensure the love and care you’ve given them continues, even when you’re no longer there. For younger bird lovers, it’s a forward-thinking way to show your commitment to your feathered friend, no matter what life throws your way. For older owners or those facing health challenges, it’s a deeply personal promise that your bird will always be cherished and looked after. By planning for their future, you’re leaving behind a legacy of compassion and responsibility, ensuring your bird will be safe, loved, and thriving, long after you're gone.

Options for Including Pets in Your Will or Trust

Pets In Wills

A will is a straightforward way to designate who will take over the care of your bird after you pass away. In your will, you can name a trusted individual to become your bird's caregiver. While this method is common, there are some challenges:

• Probate Delays: After your passing, your will has to go through probate, which can take weeks or even months. During this time, there may be uncertainty about who is legally responsible for your bird. This delay can be stressful for both your bird and potential caregivers.
  
  
• No Financial Provision: While a will lets you choose a caregiver, it doesn’t automatically provide funds for your bird's care. You would need to ensure that any financial arrangements for food, veterinary care, or other needs are specified elsewhere in your estate.

Pet Trusts

A pet trust is a more comprehensive option, especially for birds with long lifespans and specific care requirements. Pet trusts allow you to:

• Set Aside Funds: You can allocate a portion of your estate specifically for your bird's ongoing care, ensuring that the new caregiver won’t face financial burdens.
  
  
• Control Over Care: With a pet trust, you can outline specific instructions for how your bird should be cared for, including diet, veterinary visits, and living arrangements. This provides more control over your bird’s quality of life after you’re gone.
  
  
• Avoid Probate: Unlike a will, the funds in a trust are available immediately upon your passing, bypassing probate delays and ensuring your bird's care is uninterrupted.

Power of Attorney

A durable power of attorney is a legal tool that allows you to designate someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This can be an important option for ensuring your bird is cared for if you’re unable to make decisions due to illness or injury:

• Immediate Action: If you become incapacitated, your designated person can immediately step in to provide care or make arrangements for your bird’s wellbeing.
  
  
• Temporary or Permanent Care: A power of attorney allows you to plan for both short-term and long-term situations, offering flexibility if you're temporarily unable to care for your bird.

Steps to Set Up a Bird Trust or Will

Step 1: Research and Explore Potential Caretakers

Before diving into the legal steps, spend some time identifying the right caretaker for your bird. This is a critical first step that ensures your bird will continue to receive the love and attention they need, even after you’re gone.

Start by exploring potential candidates within your circle of family and friends. Look for individuals who share your passion for birds and have experience caring for them. Be sure to have open conversations about the commitment involved, including time, resources, and willingness to handle a bird’s long-term needs.

If you prefer to look outside your circle, consider reputable parrot sanctuaries. Organizations like:

• Phoenix Landing Foundation 
• The Oasis Sanctuary
• Fosters Parrots
• The Gabriel Foundation 
• Chloe Sanctuary

I just Googled "Parrot Sanctuaries Near Me," and found four facilities near me that I can visit.

Lastly, consider compensation for the caretaker you choose. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or sanctuary, your bird’s care will require ongoing financial resources. Use a worksheet to calculate expected longevity of your bird and multiply it by monthly expenses such as food, toys, cleaning supplies, pet sitters, and vet visits. This will help you determine how much money you should allocate in your estate plan to support your bird’s care without placing undue burden on the caretaker.

Step 2: Interview Like a Pro

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential caretakers, it’s time to conduct interviews.

For family or friends, ask important questions about their ability and willingness to care for your bird, including their knowledge of bird care, time availability, and long-term commitment. Gauge whether they truly understand the responsibilities that come with caring for a bird that might outlive them.

For sanctuaries, you’ll want to dig deeper.

Research sanctuaries by checking their track records, visiting the facilities if possible, and reading reviews from other bird owners. Ask about their philosophy, how they handle transitions, and how they manage long-term care for birds with specific needs. Ensuring the sanctuary isn’t overcrowded and that they offer enrichment and vet care is important.

Ask about their health requirements, how they handle the transportation of birds, and what steps they take to ensure a smooth, comfortable transition. It’s also important to inquire about how they prevent overcrowding, how vet care and enrichment are handled, and whether they have the resources to care for your bird’s specific needs. Don’t forget to discuss fees and the ongoing costs of keeping your bird in their care. This ensures that the sanctuary is a financially viable option and that your bird will receive the attention they deserve.

Use the compensation figures from your expenses worksheet to guide these conversations. Understanding what you can afford to allocate from your estate ensures you’re making a realistic and fair decision for both your bird and the caretaker.

Step 3: Allocate Funds for Care

Piggybacking off the compensation worksheet you developed, calculate how much you can afford to allocate from your estate to ensure your bird is well cared for. Include funds for food, toys, vet bills, and any special care your bird might require. The goal is to ensure the caretaker, whether an individual or a sanctuary, has the necessary financial support without having to dip into their own resources.

Step 4: Work With an Attorney

Finally, it’s essential to work with an estate planning attorney who specializes in pet trusts, particularly for long-living animals like parrots. Your attorney will help you draft a legally binding plan that outlines your wishes for your bird’s care and the financial provisions you’ve set aside.

Make sure to discuss with the attorney and any trustees overseeing the execution of the will or trust how to avoid potential pitfalls, such as repetitive rehoming, by clearly outlining the roles of the caretaker and any backup options. This step ensures that your bird will have the stable, loving care they need and deserve.

By following these steps, you can confidently plan for your bird’s future, knowing that they’ll continue to thrive in a safe, caring environment for the rest of their life.

FAQ For Putting Pets In Will

Case Study: Including My Pets in My Will

The Situation

As someone in my 60s, single, and a lifelong pet lover, one of my biggest concerns has been ensuring my pets are well cared for after I'm gone. I have four parrots—one of them 30 years old—and four dogs. Given that some of my parrots may easily outlive me, I wanted to take proactive steps to secure their future.

Researching Sanctuaries and Caretakers

I started by exploring several well-known animal sanctuaries to understand their requirements and how they could assist in my situation. These organizations often have strict policies about accepting animals, especially when it comes to parrots that need specialized care. Through this process, I developed a list of important interview questions:

• What are your requirements for accepting birds or dogs?
• What kind of medical care and routine will be provided for my pets?
• What is the environment like, and how many animals do you typically care for?
• What is your policy on rehoming, especially for long-living animals like parrots?
• What are the financial obligations, and do you require funding for care?

These questions helped me understand how my pets would be treated and what financial or legal steps I needed to take to ensure everything was properly handled.

Developing a Trust and Legal Framework

Next, I worked with an attorney to create a pet trust. This trust allocates specific funds for the care of my pets, ensuring they are not financially burdened on future caregivers. I also appointed an independent power of attorney to manage my assets and care instructions. To make sure everyone was on the same page, I informed my family about my plans.

Cost and Legal Considerations

Setting this up cost me about $500, plus some additional maintenance for larger assets like my home and IRA, which I made legally binding with the state. It was an investment in peace of mind, knowing my pets will be cared for even if something happens to me.

Conclusion

If you’re a pet lover like me and worry about your pets’ future, I highly recommend looking into wills and trusts. It’s not just for large estates—it's for peace of mind, knowing your pets will continue to live happy, healthy lives. It’s easier than you think, and more rewarding than you can imagine.

Conclusion

Planning for Your Bird's Future

Taking the steps to plan for your pets’ future might feel overwhelming at first, but once you’ve laid out the framework, it offers a profound sense of relief. By researching trusted caretakers, understanding what sanctuaries or individuals can offer, and establishing a pet trust, you ensure your pets will continue to receive the same care and love they have while you're here. It’s a process that not only safeguards their well-being but also gives you peace of mind, knowing their future is secure.

You don’t have to face the unknown with worry. By acting now—whether you’re in your 60s like me or just starting to think about estate planning—you’re taking a proactive step toward ensuring your pets’ happiness. The work you put in today will make a lasting difference, allowing you to enjoy your time with your pets, free from the fear of what may happen tomorrow.

Related Blog Posts

How to Plan for Your Bird’s Care: Estate Planning Tips

Coping with Bird Loss

References:

Animal Legal Defense Fund. (n.d.). Including animals in your will. Animal Legal Defense Fund. https://aldf.org/article/including-animals-in-your-will/

Hannibal, B. S. (2024, April 15). Estate planning for pets. Nolo. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/estate-planning-pets.html

Litco Law. (2023, August 17). Planning for pets in wills. Litwiniuk & Company. https://www.litwiniuk.com/blog/can-i-plan-for-a-pet-in-my-will/

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Diane Burroughs, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in avian anxiety disorders, nervous bird behaviors, and overall bird care. With training in ABA therapy and certification in Nutrition For Mental Health, Diane has authored several books on bird behavior and offers expert consultations for resolving issues like feather plucking and bird anxiety..

Her work has been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and presented at Exoticscon. Diane also mediates the Feather Plucking Help group on Facebook, offering support to parrot owners. With over 30 years of experience, Diane has developed thousands of successful individualized behavior plans, promoting parrot wellness and excellent bird care.

TAGS: #PetsInWills #PetEstatePlanning

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