Your pet depends on you for everything. But if something unexpected happened to you tomorrow, would your pet be looked after the way you would want?
PetPact® is a pet care plan created by Roche Legal that allows you to name an animal guardian, record your pet’s needs and preferences and set out clear instructions for their ongoing care. It is a simple, practical document designed to sit alongside your Will and give the people around you everything they need to step in without confusion or delay.
You can create your PetPact quickly and securely online at PetPact.com.
About PetPact
Under the law in England and Wales, pets are classified as personal property. They cannot inherit money and they have no automatic right to be cared for by a particular person after their owner dies or becomes unable to look after them. Without clear instructions in place, decisions about your pet’s future are left to your executors, your family or, in the worst case, to chance.
A verbal agreement with a friend or family member is not enough. Circumstances change, and without a written record of your wishes, there is no guarantee that your pet will end up with the person you would choose or be cared for in the way you would want.
Research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers found that 59% of UK adults over 30 were unaware that pets are considered assets in an estate. The same research found that only 26% of pet owners over 30 had made any plans for what would happen to their pets after their death.
A pet care plan fills this gap. It records your wishes formally, names your chosen pet guardian and provides the practical information that person will need to care for your pet properly from day one.
PetPact® is available in two options. Both can be purchased directly through PetPact.com with instant access after checkout.
Contact UsFor one pet owner making their own pet care plan. Each PetPact® covers up to three pets.
For joint pet owners who wish to make a shared plan. This is ideal for couples, housemates or friends who share responsibility for a pet and want to agree on what should happen in different scenarios, including if the relationship ends.
For every PetPact® purchased, £5 is donated to UK animal charities, helping pets in need across the country.
Wills and Estate Planning
PetPact® is designed to work alongside your Will, not replace it. While your Will can include a clause naming the person you would like to care for your pet and leaving them a sum of money to cover costs, it does not typically include the practical detail your guardian will need on a day-to-day basis.
Your PetPact® fills that gap. It provides the care instructions, veterinary details and routine information that your Will is not designed to hold.
If you do not yet have a Will, or if your current Will does not include any provision for your pet, our Wills team can help you put the right arrangements in place. Where appropriate, we can also advise on setting up a trust for your pet’s care, managed by trustees to make sure funds are used specifically for your pet’s benefit. Our trusts and tax planning team can provide guidance on how to structure this.
For pet owners who may also need to think about Powers of Attorney, it is worth considering who would look after your pet if you lost capacity during your lifetime, not just after your death. Your PetPact® and your Power of Attorney work together to cover both scenarios.
PetPact Service
PetPact® has been designed by our team of specialist solicitors to be straightforward and quick to complete. The entire process takes around 15 minutes.
Name the person or people you trust to take care of your pet if you are no longer able to do so. It is sensible to name a backup animal guardian as well, in case your first choice is unable to take on the role when the time comes. We recommend speaking to your chosen guardian in advance to make sure they are willing and able to accept the responsibility.
Set out the details that matter most for your pet’s daily care. This includes dietary needs and feeding routines, exercise habits, behavioural notes, veterinary contacts, medication and any other preferences or instructions that would help your guardian settle your pet into their new home with as little disruption as possible.
Once completed, your PetPact® is stored securely with copies available for you and your chosen guardian. It is designed to sit alongside your Will and estate planning documents so that everything is in one place when it is needed.
Why Choose Us
Created by specialist solicitors
PetPact was developed by the team at Roche Legal, a specialist private client law firm with over a decade of experience advising individuals and families on Wills, estate planning and future care arrangements. It is drafted with legal precision but designed to be used by anyone.
Quick, affordable and practical
The process takes around 15 minutes and is completed entirely online. There is no need to book an appointment or instruct a solicitor unless you choose to incorporate PetPact into a wider Will or estate plan.
Designed to sit alongside your Will
PetPact® works as a companion document to your Will, providing the practical detail that a Will cannot hold. Together, they give your family and your chosen guardian a complete picture of your wishes.
Backed by a firm that cares about animals
For every PetPact® purchased, £5 goes to UK animal charities. Roche Legal has a long-standing commitment to supporting both people and pets through its legal services and charitable giving.
Your Questions Asked
PetPact® is a pet care plan created by Roche Legal. It allows you to name a pet guardian, record your pet’s care needs and preferences and set out your wishes for their future. It is designed to sit alongside your Will and provide the practical information your guardian will need to care for your pet properly.
PetPact® creates a clear, written record of your wishes and your chosen guardian’s details, backed by the expert drafting of Roche Legal. It is designed to work alongside your Will or estate plan. If you would like your pet care arrangements to be formally incorporated into a legally binding Will, our Wills team can help with that separately.
PetPact® can be used for any pet, from dogs and cats to rabbits, reptiles, birds and beyond. Each PetPact covers up to three pets.
If you have more than three pets, you can purchase an additional PetPact® to cover the rest. Speak to our team if you need advice on the best approach for your situation.
Yes. The Couples PetPact® is designed for joint pet owners who want to make a shared plan. It is suitable for couples, housemates or friends who share responsibility for a pet and want to agree on what should happen in different circumstances.
No. PetPact® is designed to be completed without legal help. It takes around 15 minutes and can be done entirely online at PetPact.com. If you would like your pet care arrangements to be incorporated into your Will or if you need advice on setting up a trust for your pet’s care, Roche Legal can help with that separately.
A pet guardian is the person you choose to take care of your pet if you are no longer able to. Under UK law, pets cannot be left to a “guardian” in the legal sense used for children, because pets are classified as property. PetPact® uses the term pet guardian to describe the person you have chosen and recorded as the intended carer for your pet.
An animal guardian is another term for a pet guardian. It refers to the person you nominate to care for your pet if something happens to you. PetPact® allows you to name both a primary animal guardian and a backup, so your pet is always covered.
Yes. Life changes, and your PetPact should be reviewed whenever your circumstances change. This could include getting a new pet, a change of guardian or a move to a new address. You can update your PetPact through PetPact.com.
Resources
Explore our guides on Wills, Probate, Power of Attorney, Trusts, and Tax Planning.
See the previous cases we have helped clients with and our approach.
Discover how legal changes could impact you. Explore our blog for the latest insights and updates.
