Owner resilience and home health
Creating a pet continuity plan
Agree primary/backup carers, resources and the decisions that matter if care cannot resume.
Ask and agree
Nominate a willing primary and backup carer, and discuss a realistic duration, household fit and finances. Confirm whether the plan is temporary, longer-term or permanent. Review it after moving, changing carers or new health needs; do not assume an old agreement remains workable.
Link practical records
Keep veterinary contacts, identification, insurer, medicines, diet and behavioural needs in the shared handover record. Store access arrangements separately and privately. Agree who can liaise with the vet and how expenses are authorised; ask the practice and a legal adviser what authority is needed.
Plan the legal and financial side
An owner-written care plan records wishes but is not a will, trust or power of attorney. Ask a qualified adviser about lawful provision, ownership and decision-making in your jurisdiction. Do not publish documents, bank details or access codes. Legal planning overview.
Creating a pet continuity plan
Fill in privately and print using your browser’s Print or Share menu, or print blank and write by hand. No submission, account, automated interpretation or website storage. Entries may be restored by your browser; use a private device and clear them afterwards. Printed/downloaded copies can contain sensitive information: keep them secure. Avoid access codes, bank details and unnecessary personal health details.
Next steps
Evidence and review
- Dogs Trust: Canine Care Card, eligibility and limitations
- RCVS: communication and consent (UK)
- GOV.UK: lasting power of attorney (England and Wales)
- mygov.scot: power of attorney
- nidirect: enduring power of attorney
- Ireland Decision Support Service: making an enduring power of attorney
Owner information, not diagnosis, an individual dose or personal legal advice. Follow the treating veterinary team’s plan. Legal, medicine-supply and poison-service statements apply only to the labelled jurisdiction; general care principles do not establish local rules.