Diary of a Cat Mom
Diary of a Cat Mom is a reflective cat podcast created and hosted by Dagmar Gatell about understanding cats more deeply — and creating a calmer, more connected life for both you and your cats.
Based on real experiences caring for over 50 cats throughout her life, each episode shares quiet observations, emotional moments, caregiving reflections, and gentle insights from everyday life with cats. From routines, behavior, and emotional wellbeing to grief, gratitude, overstimulation, trust, and the small meaningful moments many people overlook — this is not a traditional “how-to” podcast, but a space for understanding, awareness, and lived experience.
Beyond cat care itself, Diary of a Cat Mom also explores our connection to nature, emotional presence, personal growth, and the way our inner state can influence the animals who share our lives. Because living with cats is never only about feeding and routines — it’s also about energy, safety, trust, patience, and how we show up emotionally in the spaces we create together.
Created for cat lovers who see their cats as family, this podcast offers companionship, reassurance, perspective, and emotional support during seasons of caregiving, uncertainty, healing, change, and letting go.
Diary of a Cat Mom is a personal storytelling podcast and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and medical or behavioral concerns should always be discussed with a trusted veterinarian or qualified professional.
You’re not alone on this journey.
We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.
Diary of a Cat Mom
Ep. 73 Is Your Cat in Your Last Will? 🐾❤️
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What would happen to your cat if something happened to you?
It's not a topic most cat parents enjoy thinking about, but it may be one of the most loving things we can do for the cats who depend on us. In this Diary of a Cat Mom podcast entry, I share what I learned while researching pet trusts, caregivers, and simple ways to prepare for your cat's future.
What You'll Learn in this Cat Podcast Episode
- Why every cat parent should think about future care planning
- The difference between naming a caregiver and creating a pet trust
- Why you generally cannot leave money directly to a pet
- What information to include in a pet care document
- How planning ahead can be an act of love, not fear
Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 – Is Your Cat in Your Last Will?
00:38 – The Question That Changed My Perspective
01:37 – Why My Cats Are Family, Not Property
02:16 – What I Learned About Planning for My Cats
03:12 – Why You Can't Leave Money Directly to a Cat
03:35 – Understanding Pet Trusts
04:32 – Other Future Care Options
05:02 – Creating a Pet Care Document
05:48 – Planning Ahead Is an Act of Love
06:31 – Important Legal Disclaimer
07:09 – Love Means Preparing for Tomorrow
07:44 – Final Thoughts for Cat Parents
This is where I’ve gathered everything that supports me and my cats:
https://diaryofacatmom.com/cat-care-resources/
About the Diary of a Cat Mom Podcast
Diary of a Cat Mom is a quiet, personal cat podcast created by Dagmar Gatell, sharing real moments, emotions, and experiences from life with cats.
This space is meant for connection, comfort, and companionship. Everything shared comes from lived experience as a cat mom and is not intended as professional veterinary advice. Every cat is unique, and for health concerns, it’s always best to consult your trusted veterinarian.
Most of all, please remember:
You’re not alone on this journey. We’re learning, loving, and growing together — one paw print at a time.
Diary of a cat mum. Today's diary entry is your cat in your last world. You're listening to Diary of a Cat Mom. One thing I never thought much about as a cat mum was what would happen to my cat if something happened to me. Like we spent years caring for them. We feed them, take them to the vet, buy their food, clean their little boxes, and make sure they feel safe and loved every day. But have you ever stopped and wondered who would take care of my cat ever wasn't here anymore? Cats can live fifteen, eighteen, sometimes even twenty years or more. And if they depend on us today, shouldn't we think about who will care for them tomorrow? So lately I've been hearing a lot of advertisements about creating a last will and a testament. So at first I didn't pay a lot of attention, but then one day I looked at my cats and suddenly wondered what would happen if something happens to me. Would somebody know their routines? Would they know who likes which food? Would they know who needs medication, who sleeps where and who gets stressed out? Would they know that one cat likes her water bowl in one place and another prefers drinking from our water fountain, right? So the more I thought about it, the more I realized that while I had planned for my cats' lives, I never thought about planning for a future without me. And honestly, that felt pretty unsettling. Because my cats, they're not my possession, they are family to me. So I started researching the topic, and what I learned surprised me. The simplest option seems that you name someone in your will who creates to take care of your cat if something happens to you. But experts recommend talking to the person first and making sure they're truly willing to take on the responsibility and they're able to do it. Smart to have a backup person just in case. Also learn that many people then leave money for the caregiver to help with covering food and vet bills and other costs. And one thing is legal experts and pet planners repeatedly recommend that you cannot leave the money directly for the cat because under law, pets are usually considered property. So instead, the money has to be managed through people. That's where something called a pet trust comes in. So a pet trust is often considered the strongest legal option because it is specially designed for the care of an animal. So you can set aside money for your cat's care, name the person who will care for the cat, and even include instructions like things like the diet, medication, vet preferences, and daily routines. So the trust can also appoint someone to oversee the funds and make sure the money is actually being used for your cat's care. Another option I discovered is that some rescues and sanctuaries offer programs that can take in the pets if the owner is passing. So that may be worth researching for your area as an additional safety net. And one practical suggestion I really liked is creating a pet care document. So it's just a simple file that includes like the medical history, current medications, that information, food preferences, uh person anything about the cat's personality. So the other person who's not dealing with it every day knows the cat a little bit better. Daily routines, emergency contacts, and then keeping that with my important papers so people can find it. And the biggest shift for me to realize that planning my cat's future is not pessimistic, just another form of love. It's just like I buy food, I schedule bed appointments, make sure they have a safe place to sleep and to play, and planning for their future simply is another way of caring for them. And then, of course, every state in every situation is different. I'm not a lawyer and this is not a podcast giving legal advice. If you're considering adding your cat to your will or creating a pet trust, then please speak with a qualified estate planning attorney who can help you choose the best option for your specific situation. Make sure everything is legally valid where you live. So I hope I have many more years with my own kitties. But this little journey really taught me something important that love isn't about caring for someone today. Love is really also preparing for tomorrow. Our cats trust us completely. They trust us for food and shelter and comfort and safety and love. And perhaps one of the most loving things we can do is to make sure that trust continues and even we are no longer here. So maybe today is a good day to think about that. Who would care for your cat? Would they know your cat's needs and have you it written down? Not because something bad is going to happen, but because our cats deserve the same thoughtful care tomorrow what they receive today. So until next time, give your kitty a gentle hug, a slow blink, and a little extra credit for sharing this chapter of life with you. Disclaimer This episode shares personal experiences and general educational information only. It's not legal advice. Estate planning law varies by state and country. So if you want to include your cat in your last bullet, so please contact the estate planning attorney for further advice. Thank you for being here with me. This is Diary of a Cat Mom. Don't miss the next entry. There's always another little moment, another lesson, another story waiting to be shared. I will talk to you in the next entry. Diary of a cat mom.