Short answer
A pet cannot inherit property directly. A Vermont plan can instead name a caregiver, arrange enforceable or practical funding, state care preferences, provide backups, and direct what happens to unused property after the animal's death.
Separate care, money, and oversight
Decide who will physically care for the animal, who will manage money, and who can monitor the arrangement. Those roles may be held by one person or divided when independence is useful.
Make instructions practical
Record the animal's identity, veterinarian, medications, diet, behavior, housing needs, insurance, emergency contacts, acceptable placements, end-of-life preferences, and how a successor caregiver is selected.
Fund the plan realistically
Estimate care over the animal's expected life and address unused funds.
- Initial transfer and future funding source
- Routine and emergency veterinary costs
- Housing, travel, grooming, and boarding
- Caregiver and trustee reimbursement
- Proof of the animal's death
- Remainder beneficiary and backup charity