What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Estate Planning

Companion animals are an important part of our lives. According to a recent study by the American Animal Hospital Association:

• 62% of households in the U.S. have companion animals.
• 85% of pet owners refer to themselves as their pets’ “mom” or “dad”
• 63% celebrate their pets’ birthdays
• 87% include their pets in holiday celebrations
• 65% have sung or danced with their pets
• 52% have cooked for their pets
• According to the Centers for Disease Control, 14-62% of dogs and cats in the U.S. sleep in the same bed as their human companions.

So, why do so few people consider their companion animals in their estate planning?