What every veterinarian needs to know about pet trusts

摘要

Pets play important roles in the lives of many individuals, and people own pets for a variety of reasons, ranging from a simple love of animals to the pleasure associated with engaging in physical activities with animals, whether riding a horse or playing ball with a dog, to the enjoyment associated with giving and receiving attention from one's pets. Research indicates that pet ownership can positively impact an individual's health by, for instance, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and depression, lowering the risk of heart disease, shortening the recovery time after hospitalization, and improving concentration and mental attitude.1Many pet owners in the United States today treat their pets as members of the family and are extremely devoted to them. Often, this sense of devotion transcends death, with recent reports2'4 suggesting that between 12% and 27% of pet owners have includedtheir pets in their wills or trusts. It is thus becoming increasingly common for veterinarians to treat animals covered by will or trust provisions that impact ownership or care of those animals. This is important because, for example, a trust could specify whether certain medical procedures are permitted or under what circumstances a pet may be euthanatized. The present article provides an overview of pet trusts and addresses key concerns of veterinarians.