Better Business / Members News
‘Pets at risk as only one quarter of owners make provision in their Will’
It has been revealed that only a quarter of pet owners in the UK have made legal provisions for their animals in the event of their death, placing millions of pets at risk of being left without care, according to a warning issued by Barcan+Kirby Solicitors.
New research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers reveals that just 26 per cent of UK pet owners over the age of 30 have included their pets in their Will.
The findings highlight a significant gap in awareness and planning, leaving many beloved animals vulnerable when their owners pass away.
Alarmingly, 59 per cent of UK adults over 30 admitted they were unaware that pets are considered assets under UK law.
“If your Will does not provide for your pet, or you don’t have a Will, all sorts of problems can arise,” said Joelle Allen, head of Wills at Barcan+Kirby – photo: Barcan+Kirby
This legal classification means that animals cannot directly inherit money or property. Instead, pet owners must explicitly state in their Will who will care for their pet and, ideally, allocate funds for the animal’s ongoing welfare.
Joelle Allen, head of Wills at Barcan+Kirby, underscored the consequences of neglecting to include pets in estate planning.
She said: “If your Will does not provide for your pet, or you don’t have a Will, all sorts of problems can arise.”
“Your pet will become simply another asset in your estate and, with no provision for care, could wind up without a home. Alternatively, a family dispute could arise because more than one person wants to take care of old Rusty.”
She also emphasised the importance of keeping a Will up to date.
“It’s important to remember to update your Will if a pet dies and you get another one, or simply if you acquire another furry friend,” she added.
“If Tom the cat dies and you get a new one to keep you company but have only made provisions for Tom in your Will, the new cat won’t be provided for. You should therefore think about expressing that any provisions made are for all pets.”
Legal experts are urging pet owners to consider appointing a guardian for their animals and to clearly express their wishes in a legally binding document. Failure to do so, they warn, could lead to distress and uncertainty for both pets and surviving family members.
As the nation’s love for animals continues to grow, professionals hope that greater awareness will prompt more pet owners to take steps to safeguard their companions’ futures.
If you’re looking for help with writing or amending your Will to include your pet/s, contact www.barcankirby.co.uk/legal-services/for-you-and-your-family/will-writing
Main photo: Milan Perera
Barcan+Kirby are member of the Bristol24/7 Better Business network, an initiative to help businesses thrive while creating a positive impact on Bristol and the people who live here. As part of their membership, businesses can publish member news stories like this. For more information, visit my.bristol247.com/better-business
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
