Canadian Pet Will & Legal Care Kit (eBook)

1 INTRODUCTION 1
1. We Spend a Lot on Our Pets 1
1.1 Canadian pet spending statistics 2
1.2 How much does pet care cost? 2
2. Pets Are Good for Our Mental and Overall Health 3
2.1 Companionship and emotional support for lower
levels of depression and anxiety 3
2.2 Stress reduction, mindfulness, and relaxation 3
2.3 Routines and physical activity can lead to better
human health 3
3. So What’s This Book about? 4
2 BRINGING HOME YOUR PET 5
1. Pet Proofing Your Space 5
1.1 Secure hazardous items pets could ingest 6
1.2 Keep trash where it belongs 6
1.3 Keep your cupboards, drawers, entrances and
windows safe 6
vi Canadian Pet Will & Legal Care Kit
1.4 Ensure toys are safe and items you don’t want played
with are tucked away 6
1.5 Don’t forget to secure furniture and hide electrical cords 6
1.6 Offer safe spaces instead of unsafe hideouts 7
1.7 Careful with open flames 7
1.8 Outdoor supervision may be needed 7
2. Getting Used to Each Other: Transitioning a New Pet
into Your Home 7
2.1 Prepare your home 7
2.2 Gather supplies 7
2.3 Visit the veterinarian 7
2.4 Establish your routine 8
2.5 Introductions, bonding, and socialization 8
2.6 Training 8
2.7 Ongoing exercise and care 8
3. Naming Your New Friend 9
4. City Licenses 10
4.1 Identification 11
4.2 Public safety 11
4.3 Population control 11
4.4 Revenue generation 11
5. Veterinary Care 11
6. Pet Health Insurance 12
6.1 Financial preparedness and risk tolerance 12
6.2 Breed, age, and pre-existing conditions 13
6.3 Coverage options 13
6.4 Pet travel insurance 13
3 HOW DO YOU PROACTIVELY PREVENT ISSUES? 15
1. Cohabitation Agreements 15
2. Prenuptial Agreements 17
3. Pet Care Clause(s) in Cohabitation or
Prenuptial Agreements 18
Contents vii
4. In Case of Emergency (ICE) Form 19
4 WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SHARED PET IF YOU
SEPARATE OR DIVORCE? 45
1. Separation Agreements, Divorce Agreements 45
5 HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR PET IS TAKEN CARE
OF IF YOU DIE? 61
1. Wills 62
2. Trusts 64
6 WHAT IF YOU BECOME INCAPACITATED BUT DO
NOT DIE? 71
1. Powers of Attorney, Living Wills 71
1.1 Living will (advance healthcare directive) 71
1.2 Power of attorney for personal care 72
1.3 Key differences between a power of attorney
and a living will 72
7 CONCLUSION 77
GLOSSARY 79
SAMPLES
1 Cohabitation or Prenuptial Agreement with Pet Care Clause 20
2 ICE form with Pet Info 34
3 Separation Agreement with Pet Care Clause 48
4 Basic Will with Pet Care Clause 66
5 Enduring Power of Attorney with Pet Care Clause 74