What happens to your pets when you die — and only 52% of Canadians have a will

I come from a long line of animal lovers. My sister is a veterinarian and has always stressed that full responsibility for a pet doesn't end at the food bowl. And yet, there I was — no will, no plan, no protection for the animals I loved most.

According to a 2026 poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of CIBC, 94% of Canadians believe everyone should have a will — yet only 52% actually have one. Procrastination, uncertainty about where to start and the belief that they don't have enough assets to bother were the top reasons cited. An older Angus Reid Institute polling found a similar gap: Half of Canadian adults have no will in place at all, a share that's barely moved in years. Pet provisions are among the estate-planning details people are most likely to overlook.

It's a gap that has real consequences. Humane societies across Canada report that one of the leading reasons pets are surrendered is the death or sudden incapacitation of an owner who had no plan in place.

Planning for the worst-case scenario

Spoiler alert: the flight didn't crash. As we came in for landing, I made a promise to myself — I would get a legal will before the month was out.

As soon as I got home, I mapped out how I wanted to divide my estate between my sister and brother — and, critically, who would care for my three cats. My siblings were ruled out quickly: My sister has a dog who doesn't get along with cats and my brother has allergies.

So I had an honest conversation with my neighbour — a close friend, fellow cat lover and my regular cat sitter. I asked if she'd be willing to take in all three cats if I died unexpectedly. She agreed without hesitation.

I also decided to set aside $50,000 to cover their care and any significant vet bills. I don't have that sum sitting in a savings account, but I own my home. My sister, whom I named as executor, would be able to sell the property and direct funds accordingly.

For context, routine veterinary care alone runs Canadian pet owners roughly $4,100 to $5,200 a year for a dog, according to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association's cost-of-care data — and that doesn't count emergencies. A dedicated fund makes practical sense, not just sentimental sense.

Setting up a legal will

The next step was making it official. I wanted a will that was legally enforceable, but I didn't want to spend a fortune. I did my research and discovered that Canadians have more affordable options than ever.

Online legal will platforms, such as Epilogue, let users build a complete, legally binding end-of-life plan — including a power of attorney, a personal directive and provisions for pets. The platform, built by Canadian estate lawyers, is available in most provinces and now runs $129 to $349 depending on the package.

In about 20 minutes, you can create a legally binding will from anywhere in Canada using Epilogue's online portal. That's less time than an oil change — and it also covers Power of Attorney documents, affidavits of execution and other estate planning tools.

Specific bequest vs. pet trust: What's the difference?

In Canada, pets are still considered property under the law — which means you can't leave money directly to an animal. But there are two practical ways to protect them in your will.

The first is a specific bequest: You leave your pet to a named person, the same way you may leave a piece of jewellery or an art collection. This is simple and legally straightforward, but it doesn't guarantee funds will be used for the animal's care.