Making Plans for Pets Who Survive Us
Published February 17, 2011
As we age, most of us start making plans for what will happen at the time of our death or even if we can no longer live independently. Parents make wills to ensure the care of their children, couples make arrangements to protect one another, but how many of us consider what will happen to our pets if they survive us, or we are no longer able to care for them?
Several years ago, after I sat down with, Lorrie, my "cyber-sister," to discuss what can be a very painful and difficult to think about. During our conversation, I started thinking seriously about what would give me peace of mind. I wanted to know our cats would be taken care of if we were no longer able to do so.
I was quite touched when she volunteered to adopt our boys if the situation arose. But since we live far apart, the logistics of shipping them so far up North seemed incredibly complicated so I started making a back-up plan. I was greatly relieved when our veterinarian agreed to take both of them in the future if necessary. Since she adores our two kitties, she promised she would try to personally take them, or make sure they were both adapted together to a loving home with someone she thought of highly.
What should be considered in making plans for the future of our pets if they survive us?
Of course, having a close friend familiar with your pets who would agree to take them is the ideal solution. If you already have a will, it is simple to add a provision, which will ensure that upon our death a specified amount of funds to cover the cost of caring for our pets would be released to the friend. But since wills can get bogged down in probate, it is wise to make a "pet trust fund" ahead of time, from which a pet caretaker can immediately draw funds.
However not all of us are fortunate enough to have a close friend willing to take on this responsibility. An excellent alternative is finding a no-kill shelter or sanctuary that can care for your pets. Make any necessary arrangements ahead of time.
The good news is that North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill shelter and adoption organization, now has a Safe Haven Surviving Pet Care Program.
The facility accepts your pets, provide any needed medical care, and will care for them as long as necessary. Most importantly, they will try and find a new loving home for them where they will be treasured.
For more information about the North Shore program contact:
safehaven@animalleague.org North Shore Animal League America Department of Planned Giving Port Washington, New York 11050 516-883-7900, ext.354
What plans have you made for your pets in the event you can no longer care for them? Share in a comment.
Image Source: Flickr user yukariryu
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (8)
I think this is a very important article. Thanks for putting it out there! I am one of the lucky ones, where my closest friend, has agreed to care for my babies. They know him well and of everyone, he's the one they're most comfortable with. I'm glad people are planning.
I luckily have several people who would like to "adopt" my two dogs. I have even set aside money for the person adopting them to take care for vet bills and expenses. This is a big deal. My vet thinks that my rescue shih tzu, who was taken to my local humane society as a stray, might actually have been owned by someone elderly who passed away, could no longer care for him, or was sent to a retirement community where animals were not allowed. My vet thinks someone from the family brought him in as "stray" because they didn't want to admit that he was being abandoned. He is 11 and is one of the sweetest animals I have ever owned!
I actually never thought of this before...kind of scary to even think of it. I would hope my family would take in our pets and love them, but it's awesome what the North Shore Animal League does being the largest non-kill shelter.
Right now, I have only one 4-legged family member, my horse Sarah. I too have provided in my will for her with my son having first opportunity to take and care for her, with a good friend agreeing to do so should Jonathan's military duties restrict him from being able to.
As my beloved cats aren't "pets" but family, I absolutely have made legal arrangements for their continued protection though I am not old. Anyone can die at any time, so it's always best for us to have our legal affairs set in order. Counting on family or friends for ANYTHING, I have found, can be a painful proposition. So I don't. Make your wishes for your loved ones legal. That way, no betrayals, no changing of minds, no thoughtless or uncaring people can make decisions you would never want for your loved ones.
My sister's concept of how best to handle her demise is to have her cat put down. She feels that the stress of losing her - and then to be taken out of the home she knows and put in with strangers, would be too much for the kitty... who is already quite skittish around strangers. I know my kids would both look after our animals if we were to both leave this earth together - I continue to love as many critters as I can while I'm here, knowing that.
My children have assured me that our animals will be loved and cared for if something should happen to us. It is comforting to know that if they couldn't, there are places that could take them.