Originally published: November 16, 2017 | Last updated: April 23, 2025
TL;DR: A pet trust is a provision in your Will that sets aside money for the care of your pet and names a caregiver to look after them. In Canada, you cannot leave assets directly to a pet – they must go to a person with instructions to use the funds for the pet’s care. LegalWills.ca makes it easy to include a pet trust when you write your Will. The lifetime cost of pet ownership ranges from $20,000 to $50,000+.
Your pet faces an unknown destiny when you die without creating a specific plan in your Will. The animals will either find shelter housing or family members who lack the resources to take care of them or they face death by euthanasia. The Canadian legal system treats pets as property so they become part of your estate when you don’t provide specific instructions about their care. A pet trust allows you to select a caregiver who will care for your pet while the trust funds support all necessary expenses.
Without a plan in your Will, your pet’s fate is uncertain. They may end up in a shelter, be passed between family members who cannot or do not want to care for them, or be euthanized. Pets are legally considered property in Canada, so without specific instructions, they are part of your general estate and handled by whoever administers it, with no obligation to keep or care for them. A pet trust ensures your pet is cared for by someone you choose, with funds specifically designated for that purpose.
How Much Does It Cost to Care for a Pet Over Its Lifetime?
The lifetime cost of pet ownership varies significantly by species and breed. Dogs typically cost $20,000 to $50,000+ over their lifetime, including food, veterinary care, grooming, insurance, and boarding. Cats cost $15,000 to $30,000. Horses, exotic pets, and animals with chronic health conditions can cost substantially more. When setting up a pet trust, consider the animal’s expected remaining lifespan and typical annual care costs.
The total expenses of owning a pet during its life span depend on which animal species you choose to keep and which breed you select. Dogs require owners to spend between $20,000 and $50,000 or more during their entire life span because their maintenance needs include food expenses and veterinary bills and grooming services and insurance coverage and boarding costs. Cats cost $15,000 to $30,000. The expenses for horses and exotic animals and animals with long-term medical needs tend to be much higher than regular pets. A pet trust requires you to calculate the number of years your pet will live and determine what you need to pay for its annual care.
A pet trust is a provision within your Will that designates a caregiver for your pet and sets aside a specific sum of money (or a percentage of your estate) to fund the pet’s ongoing care. The caregiver receives the animal and access to the funds, with instructions to use the money for the pet’s food, veterinary care, grooming, and other needs. In Canada, you cannot leave money directly to a pet; animals cannot legally own property. Instead, you leave the funds to a trusted person with the understanding that they will use it for the pet’s benefit.
What Is a Pet Trust and How Does It Work?
Choosing the right caregiver for your pet requires the same thoughtfulness as choosing a guardian for your children. Consider:
- Willingness: Always ask before naming someone. Not everyone wants the responsibility of a pet.
- Living situation: Do they have space? Does their landlord allow pets? Are there other animals that might conflict?
- Experience: Have they cared for this type of animal before?
- Location: A caregiver who lives nearby minimizes disruption for the animal.
- Allergies and health: Ensure the caregiver has no allergies or health issues that would prevent proper care.
- Alternate caregiver: Always name a backup in case your first choice cannot serve.
A pet trust functions as a Will provision which lets you select a pet caregiver while you establish financial support through a dedicated fund from your estate to cover all future pet care expenses. The caregiver receives the animal and access to the funds, with instructions to use the money for the pet’s food, veterinary care, grooming, and other needs. Canadian law prohibits citizens from directly passing money to their pets because animals lack the ability to possess property under Canadian law. Instead, you give money to someone you trust who will spend it to help your pet.
When creating your Will at LegalWills.ca, you can include a pet trust as a specific gift. Name the caregiver as the beneficiary, specify the dollar amount designated for pet care, and include instructions about the type of care you expect. The system generates the appropriate legal language. You can also use the LifeLocker feature to document your pet’s veterinary information, dietary needs, medications, and care preferences.
How Do You Choose a Pet Caregiver?
The process of selecting a caregiver for your pet requires you to use the same level of care which you would use to find a guardian for your children. Consider:
No. In Canada, pets are legally classified as personal property and cannot own assets. Money must be left to a person (the caregiver) with instructions to use it for the pet’s care.
Willingness: Always ask before naming someone. People have different opinions about taking care of animals.
Calculate the pet’s expected remaining lifespan and multiply by estimated annual care costs (food, vet bills, grooming, insurance). Add a buffer for unexpected medical expenses. For a dog with 8 years remaining at $3,000/year, $25,000-$30,000 is reasonable.
Living situation: Do they have space? Does their landlord allow pets? Are there other animals that might conflict?
You can, but without a formal pet trust provision in your Will, there is no legal obligation for that person to use the money for pet care. They could legally spend it on anything. A pet trust creates a moral and documented obligation, though enforcement options vary by province. The more specific your instructions, the better protected your pet will be.
Your pet depends on you; make sure someone dependable is waiting in the wings. Start your Will and pet trust today at LegalWills.ca. For broader estate planning, see our complete Will-writing guide.
Tim Hewson is one of the founders of LegalWills.ca.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets including CTV, Global News, The Toronto Star, and other leading Canadian publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
