Personal & family 2 signers 2 pages 13 blanks to fill in

Pet Guardian Designation

Who would take your dog or cat if something happened to you? Ask them, then write it down — with their signature and everything they'd need to know.

Use this template — free See the agreement Signers don’t need an account
Pet guardian designation
The blanks in brackets are what you fill in. FileIt adds each signer’s signature and date boxes.
Pet guardian designation — page 1 of 2
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Pet guardian designation — page 2 of 2
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Use this template Fill in the blanks, name who signs, and send — from FileIt eSignature.

What is a pet guardian designation?

Many pets end up in shelters because their owner died or went into hospital and nobody knew who was supposed to take them. A pet guardian designation names that person, records their agreement, and gives them the information they'll need — the pets, microchip numbers, vet, diet, medication and quirks.

This form names the owner, the guardian and an optional backup, lists the pets and care notes, and sets when the guardian steps in: on the owner's death or longer-term incapacity, or on death only — plus optional emergency short-term care during a hospital stay. It asks the executor to transfer the pets, records any money you intend to leave for their care, and what happens if the guardian can't keep a pet. It's clear that a will or pet trust is usually needed to give your wishes legal effect.

Best for
Pet owners planning ahead — especially those living alone
Signed by
The owner and the guardian
Covers
Pets, care notes, triggers, emergency care, backup guardian, funds, rehoming
Works with
Your will or a pet trust
Length
2 pages

When to use a pet guardian designation

  • A single owner planning for their dogs and cats
  • An older owner arranging care for a long-lived parrot or tortoise
  • Someone with a planned hospital stay
  • Pet owners writing or updating a will
  • Families agreeing which relative takes the family pet

What you fill in

13 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: pet owner, pet guardian.

1 Owner and guardian

  • Owner's full name*
  • Owner's address*
  • Guardian's full name*
  • Guardian's phone*
  • Backup guardian (name and phone)

2 The pets

  • The pets*
  • Vet (practice and phone)
  • Care notes

3 The arrangement

  • When the guardian steps in* if I die, or if I become unable to care for the pets for more than a short period · only if I die
  • Emergency short-term care* Yes — the guardian will also take the pets in an emergency, such as a hospital stay · No

4 Money

  • Currency*
  • Money set aside for the pets' care
  • If the guardian can no longer keep a pet*

5 Who signs

  • Pet owner signature and date
  • Pet guardian signature and date · The person who agrees to take in the pets. They sign to accept.

What the pet guardian designation covers

  1. The pets
  2. When the Guardian steps in
  3. Ownership and care
  4. Money for the pets' care
  5. Important notes

Using the pet guardian designation, step by step

1 Ask first

Talk to the person you'd like as guardian — and a backup — and make sure they're willing and able.

2 Describe the pets

List each pet with species, breed, age and microchip number. Add your vet and care notes: diet, medication, behaviour.

3 Set the arrangement

Choose when the guardian steps in and whether they'll also help in a short-term emergency. Add any money you intend to leave and how rehoming should work.

4 Both sign — then update your will

Send it to the guardian to sign. Keep the signed copy in your FileIt vault, share it with your executor, and name the guardian in your will or a pet trust.

Tips before you send it

  • Keep a spare key arrangement and a pet emergency card in your wallet pointing to the guardian.
  • Update care notes when medication or diet changes, and re-sign if you add a pet the guardian didn't know about.
  • Money for pets usually needs a will or pet trust to reach the guardian — ask a local lawyer.
  • Store vaccination records and microchip registration in your FileIt vault so the guardian can find them.

Sign it online in minutes

  1. Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
  2. Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
  3. Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Use the pet guardian designation template — it’s free

Pet guardian designation: frequently asked questions

Is this a legally binding way to leave my pet to someone?

It records your wishes and the guardian's agreement, but in many places pets are treated as property and pass under your will. The form says so, and suggests naming the guardian in your will or a pet trust.

Can the guardian take my pets if I'm in hospital?

Yes, if you choose the emergency short-term care option. You authorise the guardian to collect the pets and arrange vet care, and they return the pets when you can care for them again.

What if the guardian can't take them when the time comes?

Name a backup guardian. The rehoming clause covers what happens if the guardian later can't keep a pet.

Does it cover pets I get later?

Yes, unless you tell the guardian otherwise in writing — though it's best to update the form.

Can we sign online?

Yes. The guardian doesn't need a FileIt account. The signed PDF includes an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion.

Use this template — free