What About Luna? Why Do Aussies Fail to Properly Plan for Their Pets?
Australians are spending billions of dollars treating their pets like members of the family, yet millions could be leaving their beloved animals with an uncertain future because they have never told anyone what should happen to them if they die, are incapacitated, or are suddenly hospitalised.
The warning comes as Australia reaches record levels of pet ownership. Animal Medicines Australia estimates there are now 31.6 million pets living in 7.7 million Australian households, with 73 percent of households owning at least one pet.
Yet research released in 2026 found 57 percent of Australian pet owners had made no provision for their pets in their Will, while many Australians have no Will at all, despite almost three quarters of pet owners believing it was extremely important their animal was properly cared for after their death.
However, including a pet in a Will is only one part of planning for their future. A Will may record who an owner wants to care for their pet, but it may not capture whether that person has agreed, what should happen if they can no longer take them, or the everyday information needed to continue their care.
"If You Love Them So Much, Show It — Plan for Them"
Isla George, co-founder of Australian digital legacy platform My TAP®, says the disconnect between how much we love our animals and how little we prepare for their future is heart-breaking.
Planning ahead ensures your pet receives continuous care and love during illness, emergency, or life changes.
"We call them our babies, sleep beside them, take them on holidays, spend thousands of dollars caring for them and consider them part of our family, but enormous numbers of Australians haven't answered one incredibly important question: who gets my pet if I die?" George said.
“Your dog can't tell your family who you wanted them to live with.” — Isla George, My TAP®
"Your cat can't explain its medication, favourite food or routine. Your pet is completely dependent on you making those decisions while you're alive. If you love your pet, don't leave its future to chance."
The Sad Reality When Nobody Knows What You Wanted
NSW Trustee and Guardian warns that when pet owners die without having made clear arrangements for their animal's future care, pets can be left in homes with no one knowing who should take responsibility for them. Where suitable care arrangements cannot be made, animals may ultimately find themselves in shelters or potentially be euthanised.
My TAP® co-founder Lisa Wendland said many Australians simply assume a family member or friend will automatically take their animal.
"That is an enormous assumption to make," Wendland said. "You might think your sister will take your dog, while your sister thinks your best friend will. Perhaps neither can have pets where they live. Maybe they already have animals that aren't compatible with yours. Nobody wants to imagine their much-loved dog or cat frightened and confused in a shelter after losing the person they loved most, but failing to have the conversation creates exactly that risk."
Legal Aid NSW confirms that where a deceased person has not provided for their pet, responsibility may fall to an executor or next of kin to decide whether they will care for the animal or take it to an animal shelter. The founders of My TAP® say this is why the conversation needs to happen before it becomes somebody else's decision.
Don't Just Nominate Someone, Tell Them Everything
George and Wendland are urging Australians to go beyond simply deciding who they would like to care for their animal. They should talk to that person and document practical information including:
✔ The pet's routine and daily habits
✔ Veterinarian details and complete medical history
✔ Medication schedules and dosage requirements
✔ Dietary requirements and favourite foods
✔ Pet insurance and microchip details
✔ Behavioural issues, fears (such as thunderstorms), and favourite activities
✔ Anything else a future carer would need to know
"Think about how much you know about your pet that nobody else knows," Wendland said. "You know your dog is frightened of thunderstorms. You know which medication your cat needs. You know where they sleep, what they eat, whether they get anxious around other animals and which vet has their medical history."
Importantly, those details can change. Medication, diets, vets, and routines evolve, and even a chosen carer's circumstances can change over time. Keeping these records updated in a central place—rather than relying on a Will written years earlier—ensures seamless care in an emergency.
Where a pet isn't included in a Will, or there is no Will, platforms like My TAP® provide a dedicated space to record an owner's wishes and preferred pet carer, giving loved ones complete clarity about what you wanted for your pet.
Who Will Care for Them When You Can't?
George and Wendland are calling on Australia's millions of pet owners to take one simple action: decide what you want to happen to your animals and tell someone.
"Choose who you would trust with your pet. Ask them whether they are willing to take them. Whether or not you've included your pet in your Will, My TAP® gives your loved ones a clear record of your wishes and how you want your pet to be cared for when you're no longer here," George said.
"Planning for a pet is ultimately an act of love. Australians adore their animals. We have more pets than people in this country, but loving an animal means accepting that they may outlive you."
"We insure them, microchip them, vaccinate them and buy them the best food we can afford. Planning for what happens to them if we're suddenly not here should be just as normal.
“Your final responsibility as a pet owner is making sure somebody knows who will love them when you can't.” — Isla George, My TAP®
Related Reading & Resources
Want to explore more options for safeguarding your pup's future? Check out our guides:
▪ Pet Legacy Programs: RSPCA 'Home Ever After' & AWL NSW
Explore formal charity legacy schemes that guarantee your dog will be taken in, cared for, and rehomed by trusted animal welfare organisations if you pass away.
▪ Your Essential Guide to Estate Planning for Dogs
A legal breakdown on appointing guardians, setting up pet trusts, and leaving financial provisions in your Will to cover ongoing care costs.
▪ Who Will Look After Your Pets If You Can't? Emergency Care Protocols
Practical steps for short-term crises, including emergency wallet cards, temporary carer contact lists, and key vet info for unexpected hospital stays.
