What Kinds of Documentation Are There for Pets?
You must maintain track of different paperwork and records throughout your pet’s life. There is still a demand for real, shareable papers in this day and age where everything is digitized. To protect their pets’ welfare, all pet owners should keep several documents. You still need documentation if you’re flying with a tiny animal. Here are seven documents that every pet owner should save securely and have on hand.
Rabies Certificate
Be prepared with your rabies vaccination certificate or a valid waiver form. Although it’s advised that all dogs and cats have a rabies vaccine, if your veterinarian thinks that your pet’s medical condition precludes them from having this particular vaccine, you might be able to obtain a waiver. It is also necessary to confirm rabies immunization to acquire a certificate for a dog traveling.
Vaccine Records
Document any additional vaccinations that are necessary. Although vets have a copy of this information in their paper or computer files, you should also have one. Entry into some expositions and pet-friendly events, as well as admission to pet-friendly hotels, often depends on up-to-date immunization documents. Keep the vaccination records that your veterinarian offers you in a secure location.
Medical Records
Keep all of your veterinarian’s post-visit reports in a file. If your dog or cat needs medical attention in the future, surgical records may be vital. Keep copies on hand in case someone else needs them, as your veterinarian might not be able to share these documents without your authorization.
License
A dog or cat license is often needed. Most states provide a standard pet identification tag for the animal to wear. Keep any paperwork that the state or county sends your way close at hand. The penalty for having a pet without a license might be hundreds of dollars. A non-licensed pet will incur severe fines, so keep that in mind.
Pet Insurance
Select an insurance plan with a reasonable deductible and inexpensive premiums. Because pets above eight years old are considered senior animals, many insurance companies won’t cover them. If you manage to locate insurance for a senior pet, you can expect to pay extra if the coverage has a large deductible. See more here about geriatric needs.
Pet Wellness Plan
The significant difference between your pet wellness plan and pet insurance is that the former pays for routine care and screenings to determine future illnesses. At the same time, the latter only covers the cost of post-injury or post-illness care. Pet owners participating in pet wellness programs receive regular and preventative veterinary care reimbursement.
Trust
A trust specifies who will care for your pet, where he will go, and how much money is available in the event of your death. When a pet’s wellness is considered, a will includes various risks that provide technicalities. A legal trust offers many additional advantages and safeguards despite its numerous downsides.
Conclusion
While managing the paperwork that comes with pet ownership might be onerous, the effort is worthwhile. It’s crucial to save your pet’s essential documents and records! Create a folder specifically for each pet, and save any documents you might need to consult there (such as veterinarian bills, adoption records, immunization records, microchip records, etc.). You are responsible for maintaining the organization of anything from vital medical records to estate planning. To ensure it is always available and easy to furnish, save this with any other vital papers.