CARE TEAM

Those are the words your pet’s Care Team would say. Your pets will be rehomed and cared for by people that should love them and treat them as their own, although they do not own them. Your dog or cat is the property of the Pet Trust and will be cared for according to the instructions you leave in your Care Plan. Each person on your Care Team has a specific role and must agree to take care of your pet the way you would.

The Trustee is the person you designate to manage the money in your Pet Trust account. They are responsible for allocating the funds to cover the expenses related to your pet’s care. They follow your Trust’s guidelines and your pet’s needs when products or services are purchased.

EDMAF encourages the Trustee to manage the Trust and the other members of the Care Team. They can provide a layer of oversight and support to help ensure your Pet Trust instructions are being followed and your pet is living the lifestyle you’ve created for it.

The Caretaker will provide your pets with their “Forever” home. They will love and nurture your pets the way you do to help them adjust to life without you. The Caretaker will provide the daily care of your pet as you outlined in your Pet Trust Care Plan. Your pets will be surrounded by familiar products, services, and routines, making them feel more comfortable in their new home. And, as the “Forever” home, they will continue to take care of your pets as they age and develop any health issues.

Your Veterinarian knows your pet and its medical history. They have provided wellness checks and vaccinations. When your pet is sick, they help them get well. This knowledge is important for comparison. The veterinarian-pet relationship helps to add another layer of oversight when your pet is being cared for in your absence. When preparing your Pet Trust, it’s important to speak with your vet, inform them about your Trust, and invite them to join your Care Team. Hopefully, they will agree to join the team and follow the guidelines of your Pet Trust.

The Foster is not usually part of a Pet Trust, but Edwin D Marks Animal Foundation strongly encourages you to add a Foster to your Care Team. We believe that Fosters can provide additional services to help ensure the safety and welfare of your pet. They are generally trained in the specialized care of dogs and cats from neonates to seniors, both healthy and sick. The Fosters can provide a short-term home and help your pet adjust to life without you, in a supportive and nurturing environment, while allowing the Caretaker time to prepare for the arrival of their new forever pet.

A Pet Trust with a Care Team provides a stable environment for your pet to thrive. Whether you choose to use 3 or 4 people for your pet’s Care Team, they should all work together to make decisions in your pet’s best interest and to help ensure your pet lives a happy and healthy life, following the guidelines of your Pet Trust, and any needs that arise.

My husband, Edwin, loved animals too, so in tribute to him and our love for each other and of animals, I initiated the Edwin D. Marks Animal Foundation.

The Foundation’s mission is to provide and protect the animal’s lifestyle after its owner is no longer there by educating pet lovers about Pet Trusts and helping pet owners to create Pet Trust Care Plans