Planning for pets: with RSPCA ACT and Pets and Positive Ageing
At a recent event hosted by the Retirement Village Residents Association (RVRA) ACT, I was reminded of something many pet owners overlook when planning for retirement, aged care, or end-of-life matters: the future of their beloved animals. Di Johnstone, General Manager of Pets and Positive Ageing Inc., delivered a poignant message—our pets are family, and just like any loved one, they deserve a secure and thoughtful plan for their care.
This means going beyond affection and daily routines. It means formalising your intentions through legal and practical documents to ensure your pet is protected, no matter what life brings. Fortunately, two local initiatives—RSPCA ACT’s Home Ever After and Pets and Positive Ageing Inc.—are helping older Australians do just that.
What Is a Pet Care Plan?
A Pet Care Plan is a written document that outlines how your pet should be cared for if you become unable to do so—whether temporarily due to illness or permanently due to passing. It’s a vital part of responsible pet ownership, especially for those entering retirement or planning for aged care.
This plan should be shared with your Enduring Power of Attorney, included in your Advance Care Plan, and referenced in your Will. It ensures that your pet’s needs are clearly understood and respected, even if you’re no longer able to communicate them.
What to Include in Your Pet Care Plan
A comprehensive Pet Care Plan should cover:
- Daily Routines: Feeding times, food preferences, walking schedules, grooming habits, and sleeping arrangements.
- Medical Needs: Medications, allergies, vet contact details, vaccination history, and any ongoing treatments.
- Behavioural Traits: Fears (e.g. thunderstorms), social preferences (e.g. good with children or other pets), and personality quirks.
- Emergency Contacts: Trusted friends, family members, neighbours, or carers who can step in temporarily or permanently.
- Instructions for Temporary or Permanent Care: Whether you prefer your pet to be rehomed with a specific person or through a trusted organisation like RSPCA ACT.
Sample Pet Care Plan: “Milo the Scruffoodle”
Owner: Luisa Capezio
Pet Name: Milo
Breed: Scruffoodle
Age: 7 years
Microchip Number: 9851212XXXX7890
Daily Routine:
- Breakfast at 7:30am (½ cup Royal Canin dry food + 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast)
- Walk at 8:00am (20 minutes, prefers quiet streets. Watch out for small white furry dogs as he will bounce on them)
- Nap from 10am–12pm on the lounge
- Dinner at 6:00pm (¼ cup dry food + small portion of cooked chicken)
- Bedtime at 9:00pm in his bed with a blanket
Medical Needs:
- Allergic to shellfish
- Monthly flea and tick treatment (NexGard)
- Annual check-up at Canberra Vet Hospital (Dr. Singh)
- Dental cleaning every 12 months
Behavioural Traits:
- Pounces on small white dogs that bark at him. Avoid
- Loves children and gentle play
- Scared of thunderstorms—needs calming treats and cuddles
- Responds to commands: sit, stay, come, paw
Emergency Contacts:
- Primary: Sarah Capezio (daughter) – 0412 345 678
- Secondary: RSPCA ACT – Home Ever After enrolment confirmed
Permanent Care Instructions:
If Sarah is unable to care for Milo, RSPCA ACT is authorised to rehome him through the Home Ever After program. Milo’s profile and preferences are on file.
Legal Tools for Pet Planning
To ensure your wishes are followed, consider these legal steps:
- Include Your Pet in Your Will: While pets can’t inherit money, you can name a guardian and allocate funds for their care. RSPCA ACT provides suggested wording for those enrolled in Home Ever After.
- Advance Care Plan: Include a section about your pet—who should be contacted, where they should go, and what immediate care they need.
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA): Appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf, including arrangements for your pet’s care if you’re incapacitated.
RSPCA ACT’s Home Ever After: A Safety Net for Pets
The Home Ever After program by RSPCA ACT offers a compassionate solution for pet owners who want to ensure their animals are cared for after their death or incapacity. Once enrolled, your pet’s profile is securely stored, and RSPCA ACT commits to rehoming them in a loving, well-matched environment.
How to enrol:
- Request an enrolment pack from RSPCA ACT
- Complete a profile for each pet
- Add instructions to your Will using the provided wording
- Consider a gift in your Will to support the program
- Relax—your pet’s future is in safe hands
There is no cost to enrol, but donations are encouraged to help cover the significant costs of care and rehoming.
Pets and Positive Ageing Inc.: Advocacy and Support
Pets and Positive Ageing Inc. (PAPA) is a Canberra-based volunteer organisation that advocates for the rights of older pet owners. Their work includes promoting pet-friendly aged care and retirement living, supporting emergency boarding and veterinary access, and running initiatives like the Tiny Vet Clinic, which brings care to those who need it most.
Their mission is simple: to ensure that no one has to choose between their wellbeing and their pet.
As someone who has seen the joy pets bring to people’s lives, and the anxiety that can come with uncertainty, I urge all pet owners to take these steps. Create a Pet Care Plan. Talk to your solicitor about including your pet in your Will. Appoint someone you trust through an Enduring Power of Attorney. And consider enrolling in Home Ever After.
These are not just administrative tasks....they are acts of love.
To learn more or enrol your pet:
- Visit RSPCA ACT – Home Ever After
- Explore Pets and Positive Ageing Inc.