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| Darlene & The Amazing Aimee Photo by Veronique Schejtman |
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| Photo Courtesy of Louise Holton Alley Cat Rescue |
Hardly a day goes by that I don't receive at least one e-mail asking if I can help re-home a cat or dog, often more than one, because he owner died or was taken to a nursing home. If there is family, they swoop in, take what material things they can and then either leave the pet(s) in the house or thrown out on the street. At most they will say they will take the pets to the shelter if someone won't take them. We know what that means. Often the pets are elderly and are euthanized. That's the pretty word. Let's be blunt: they're killed. Surely that is not what the owner wants for their beloved companion who was often the only one there providing love and comfort. No one thinks this will happen to their pets but it will unless you make provisions now if you haven't already done so.
Here are some simple steps you can take now, today, to ensure that your pets won't end up homeless, starving on the streets, or killed in a shelter.
1. Ask a trusted friend if s/he will look after your pet(s) in the event of your death.
2. Go to a lawyer and make out your will. If you already have one, have your lawyer add a codicil naming the person who will take care of your pet(s). Do not name your pets because they may not be the one(s) you have when you die. Periodically ask the person if they still agree to do this or you will have to name someone else. And be sure to set aside money for each pet's care.
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| Photo courtesy of Mary Slaney |
3. Make out a Pet Trust. This will allow the person who will take your pet(s) to have immediate access to your pet(s) and the money you are leaving for their care.
According to Louise A. Holton, President of Alley Cat Rescue in Maryland, "You should leave a Pet Trust as well as a Will. Leave a copy with friends and family and choose a good friend or family member to agree to take your cats [or dogs], with a donation of money to help them. A Pet Trust is available immediately upon your death and does not have to go through your estate. In a will it could take years for an animal to get any money,"
That's excellent advice. Only four States in the U.S. don't have a Pet Trust law as of 2012. Those States are Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi. You'll have to check with your lawyer for a way in which to handle this if you live in one of those States. Some States will allow the amount you leave to be reduced or redirected if it exceeds what the Court thinks it's in excess of the intended use.
If you don't want to use a lawyer, you can use a form on the website Legal Zoom to create a Pet Trust. It will cost about $50. to $80. to do it online.
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| Photo Courtesy of Gary Rohde |
Holton has seen the results when this happens or if the caretaker of a cat colony dies. She and her organization's volunteers have had to go in and place the cats. Louise Holton cares so much that she has written a brochure, Leave a Legacy of Love for members of Alley Cat Rescue.
Responsible cat and dog breeders state in their contract that if, for any reason, the person can't keep the cat or dog at anytime in that cat or dog's life, it is to be returned to the breeder. This is something many people don't consider when their relative dies without leaving a will and a Pet Trust.
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| Photo Courtesy of Louise Holton |
7 comments:
Such a good idea!
We are in our late seventies; just adopted a six-year old terrier.
Our backup plan is (1) younger brother; (2) nephew and wife, who may soon lose their dog to illness; (3) grandson with two children. Our Sandy knows (and loves) all of them, and they would give her a good home.
This is excellent. I hope you have a promise from at least one of them, have it in your will and will create a Pet Trust. It's so important. Thank you for posting!
you are so right.. We all hate to even think about this but we have to. OMG my birthday is my captcha lol
Thank you, Caren. It's hardest of all to convince young people. They're convinced they don't need to do it because they will live forever.
My husband and i are facing this right now. We had 9 cats and now only have 3 left due to illness and age over the last 10 years. of course i want to adopt more because i know how many there are in shelters and on the street that need the love and support i have to offer. my husband will not allow this at this point since we have no back up plan for even those we currently have. My daughter would take them but lives far away from us in Alaska. My friends all have several cats already and though they could temporarily take them could not permanently home them. I have run out of options here and don't know what to do to make provisions for these animals i love dearly. I hate to think i will never take another rescue on becuase we have to be afraid of what would happen. We are both in our mid to late 50's and health is an issue for both of us.
I hope to hit on a solution soon. i cannot see myself cat-less in my golden years . it would be the saddest thing i can think of.
I'm sorry about your predicament but you are wise to start planning now. There are organizations that will help relocate pets to new homes so it's possible to get the cats to your daughter but you will still need a back-up for her. I think one is called Paws & Pilots or Pilots & Paws. Start checking now. And talk to your veterinarian for some ideas.
Best of luck to you and I hope you're both feeling better....
This is a great post. I'm still in grieving stage after the pet cremation houston and I still have 5 pets in our house, after I read this I'm planning to get them a will, pet cremation nowadays is quite expensive already and We don't know what will happen to us and we need to think about the welfare of our pets in the future, like me I'm not close to my family, If I die, who will take care of my pets. Thank you for sharing.
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