My Emergency Pet Planner | Notebook, Digital

Pet owners are meticulous about food, routines, and vet visits. But when it comes to one simple question —what happens if I’m suddenly not there?— most have no written answer.

Despite pets being considered family members, very few owners leave clear, accessible instructions for their care if something unexpected happens. Feeding routines live in someone’s head. Vet details sit across emails, apps, and drawers. Behaviour notes are rarely written down at all

It’s not neglect. It’s assumption.

“We assume we’ll always be there to explain,” says Sarah Gleave, a long-time pet professional and creator ofMy Pet Planner. “But if someone else had to step in tomorrow — a family member, a neighbour, a vet — most owners haven’t made that easy.”

The issue isn’t about worst-case thinking. It’s about preparedness.

In everyday life, people plan meticulously for holidays, work handovers, and childcare. Yet pets — who rely entirely on human instruction — are often left without a clear, written care plan.

This gap becomes visible when owners are asked simple questions:
What does your pet eat, and when?
What medication are they on?
Who is their vet?
What should someone know about their behaviour?

My Pet Plannerwas created to address that gap — not as a diary or a notebook, but as a practical care document. It brings essential information into one place so someone else can step in calmly and confidently if needed.

“It’s about removing stress — for pets and for people — by writing things down before you need them.” says Sarah

As conversations around preparedness, responsibility, and pet welfare continue to grow, the lack of written care planning is starting to feel like an oversight rather than an afterthought.

And for many owners, once the question is asked, it’s hard to ignore.