What Happens To Oklahoma Pets When You Pass Away?

If you live in Oklahoma, you know that things change unexpectedly all of the time. On many occasions, we're lucky enough to have just enough time to throw something together. But what happens when you're out of time and you don't have things decided, like where your pets go when you aren't there?

How Does Oklahoma Treat Pets After Owners Pass Away?

Most people think of their pets as family. They're more than just a fluffy animal to pet and cuddle - they're protectors, companions, and sometimes even life savers. It's safe to say that most people see pets this way, but it's an entirely different story in the eyes of Oklahoma law.

@chantellegeorgy Don’t forget about your furry friends when you write your Wills 🐶 🐱 🐸 🐔 🐭 #pets #dog #dogsoftiktok #cat #catsoftiktok #chicken ♬ original sound - Chantelle | Succession Lawyer

The unfortunate truth is that pets are viewed as property. That's why, in Oklahoma, pet owners are financially responsible for damages that their animals cause. That's also why when you die, pets are treated as property.

How You Can Make Sure Your Pet Is Taken Care Of Best

Usually, people think of including their homes, assets and valuables when they're writing their wills or trusts. But, pets should also be included. There are a few other options for making sure your pet is taken care of as close to your wishes as possible. According to nolo.com, you can include your pets in:

• A pet trust
• Your will or living trust
• Sign up with a charitable program that can care for your pet

@hi_im_roccojr I still can’t believe Rocco is part of the first estate case in Canadian history. He saved me from drowning in grief a year ago and continues to save me each day. He makes days like these happen. For those who don’t know our story, here it is: My late boyfriend’s sisters claim that Rocco belonged to my late bf and now forms a part of his Estate property. They want Rocco to be their pet now. These sisters, with their enormous financial strength, are pursuing this case so aggressively that as a public school teacher I was required to start a GoFundMe to pay my legal fees. Rocco and I have spent our lives together since he was just 6 weeks old. I cannot begin to fathom the stress and anxiety Rocco would have to go through if he ever had to be taken away from me. This will be the very first case in Canada to determine whether a companion animal belongs to a deceased’s estate property, just like a piece of furniture they owned forms a part of their estate after their death. In fact, this case is so odd that CTV wrote an article about us (link in bio). Unless you’ve shared a bond with a pet, you will never understand hard it is for a dog to be taken away from the only constant he knows. Please share, share, share far and wide. To learn more, to donate or to sign our petition to end pets treatment as property, click the link in my bio. 🙏 🙏 #death #bereavement #grief #heaven #dogsofinstagram #dogmom #dogoftheday #puppy #pupinfluencer #puppygram #puppylove #ilovemydog #mydogsavedme #mansbestfriend #mysavior #haba #humananimalbond #law #ctvnews #estatelaw #animallaw #animalrights #animalwelfare #animaljustice #doglovers #dogdad #dogsarefamily #petsarefamily #petparents #dog ♬ original sound - Squash

Of course, you don't want to forget the most important part of your pet's care: money. In any situation you decide to sign your pet up for, you should also include some sort of money for folks to be able to afford taking care of your pet.

What Option Is Best For You And Your Family?

The hardest part about leaving money, though, is knowing that it will be used for the right purposes. It's important to know confidently that the person you're trusting your animal with will do what you would do for your pet. When deciding how you should leave the money for your pet, consider a few things:

• A will or living trust ensures that the money goes straight to the person who you left your pet to, but it does not control how they're able to spend the money.
• A pet trust is more complicated to set up than a living trust or will, but it specifically states how someone is allowed to spend the money you leave behind and how they are to care for your pet.

If you decide to have a charitable organization care for your pet, you can apply to a few programs like the Peace of Mind Program or the Perpetual Pet Care Program. These types of programs offer to cover the care expenses for your pet throughout their lifetime, so the person you choose to leave your pet with will be able to care for them the way you'd like.

It's important not to dread the future, but to prepare for it. You can take small steps to make sure your family is always taken care, even if you're not there. But, while you are here, why not spend some quality time with your pet at one of Oklahoma's pet-friendly restaurants along I-44.