Have you thought about the future when it comes to your pets?

The bond between people and their pets runs deep, so it's only natural that pet owners should be concerned about what will happen to their charges should they die or can no longer care for them.

Hopefully, a relative or close family friend will jump right in, particularly if you've already broached the subject with them.

But, emotions aside, be careful who you chose for the task, warns Doug Carroll, vice-president, tax and estate planning at Invesco Trimark.

For instance:

• Does the person have the disposition to be a pet owner?
• Would their schedule allow for adequate care?
• What about travel and vacations?
• Are they physically up to the task?
• Are there any safety issues, particularly with regards to young children?
• What about allergy issues?

And then there's the hundreds of dollars in annual care, of course.