Advance Health Care Directive for Pets

Have you ever thought about who would care for your pets if you were no longer able to perform those daily tasks? It’s natural to assume you’ll always be able to care for them–but what if you couldn’t?

Completing an advance health care directive for your pet will give you the peace-of-mind which comes from knowing that–no matter what happens to you–your pet will be cared for by someone they know; someone who loves them–and you– enough to take on your responsibilities should you be unable to fulfill them.

5 Simple Steps

We’ve made it really easy for you to do the right thing for your animal companions; to protect them–even when you’re not around. Here’s all you have to do:

• Download our Advance Health Care Directive form.
• Complete one for each of your pets.
• Provide a copy to the person(s) you’ve designated as your pet caregiver of choice.
• Keep your copy in a safe place.
• Tell others where the document can be found, should need arise.

While you’re planning ahead for the unthinkable, it may be the perfect time for you to set down your desires for your pet’s final care. Visit our section on pet pre-planning, or go directly to our online pet pre-planning form.

And What about YOU?

We believe everyone should take the time to complete an Advance Health Care Directive, to guide others in making health-related decisions on your behalf. In fact, we believe it so strongly, that we want to give you a link where you can order a copy of the well-received 5 Wishes Living Will document, created by Aging with Dignity.

“Five Wishes is the first living will that talks about your personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes,” declares the document, available from the Aging with Dignity website. “It lets you choose the person you want to make health care decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourself. Five Wishes lets you say exactly how you wish to be treated if you get seriously ill. It was written with the help of The American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, and the nation’s leading experts in end-of-life care. It’s also easy to use. All you have to do is check a box, circle a
direction, or write a few sentences.

Sources

5 Wishes from Aging with Dignity
http://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes.php