Who will care for my pets if I am in hospital? Make a plan in one hour

Nobody plans to go to hospital. When it happens, many owners worry first about the dog at the door or the cat with an empty bowl. One hour of planning now means your pets are fed, safe and cared for, whatever happens.

What does the ASPCA recommend?

The ASPCA recommends a written pet plan with three parts:

1. A Pet Alert Card in your wallet, so authorities know a pet is at home.
2. An emergency contact sheet for friends, family or emergency services who enter your home.
3. A pet portfolio with the details a carer needs.

Here is how to build each one.

Step 1: Choose your carers

• Short-term carer: lives close, can get to your home within a few hours, and knows your pets.
• Long-term carer: someone you trust to give your pets a home if you cannot come back.

Ask them first. A plan only works if your carers have said yes. Choose a second short-term carer too, in case the first one is away.

Step 2: Sort out access

Give each carer a key, a lockbox code, or the name of a neighbour who has one. Tell them where the leads, carriers and food are kept. If you have an alarm, tell them how to turn it off.

Step 3: Write the care details in one place

Your carer needs the same facts a pet sitter needs:

• Food and the exact amounts for each pet
• Medicines, copied from the pharmacy label
• Vet and emergency clinic phone numbers
• Habits, fears and hiding places

Keep the details in one place at home, and tell your carers where.

Step 4: Carry a “pets home alone” card

If you cannot speak for yourself, a wallet card speaks for you. It tells first responders that pets are home alone, and gives your carers’ numbers.

Make one in two minutes with our free emergency card tool. It also saves the card as a phone lock-screen image.

Step 5: Put the long-term plan in writing

Write who takes your pets, and how their care is paid for. Sign it and date it. Give a copy to your long-term carer. Ask a local professional about adding it to your will.

A one-hour checklist

• Ask a short-term carer and a backup carer
• Ask a long-term carer
• Give keys or access to your carers
• Write food, medicine and vet details in one place
• Make a wallet card and a lock-screen image
• Write and sign the long-term plan
• Set a reminder to review the plan every year

Review the plan every year

People move, and pets change. Review your plan once a year, and after any big change: a new pet, a new address or a carer who moves away.

A complete plan in one binder

The Emergency section of the Household Command Binder includes an “If I cannot care for my pets” page. It covers short-term and long-term carers, money and your wishes. The section also has emergency contacts, a grab-and-go summary and cut-out wallet cards.