Our pets give us endless love and loyalty. We can't imagine living without them. But what about them living without us? Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were unable -- by either death or disability -- to care for your pet any longer? Would he or she wind up in an animal shelter? Probably, unless you have some after death pet care set up.
This very issue was discussed at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla. in January. The session about pet care after an owner's death or disability was taught by Amy Shever, who volunteers her time as the director of 2nd Chance for Pets, an organization in California devoted to helping to prevent the unnecessary relinquishment of pets to animal shelters.
Amy states that, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more than a quarter of a million pets are surrendered to animal shelters each year due to death or disability of their owners. Many of these orphaned pets do not adjust well to the experience of a shelter. They may become despondent, do not eat well and become labeled "unadoptable." More than half are euthanized simply because their caregivers did not plan for their continuous care.
There are a number of choices a pet owner can make to provide for their pet's care in the event of their death or disability. With foresight and careful decisions, their pets can be cared for. Pet owners should identify caregivers who can care for their pets, maintain written care instructions and set up a finance plan or set aside funds to cover the lifetime care of their pets.
The best way to make sure your wishes are fulfilled is by making formal arrangements that specifically cover the care of your pets. It's not enough that long ago your friend verbally promised to take in your pets or even that you've decided to leave money to your friend for that purpose. One option to explore is working with an attorney to draw up a special will, trust or other document to provide for the care and ownership of your pets, as well as the money necessary to care for them. First, you might wish to decide if you want your pet or pets to go to one person, or to different people. If possible, keep pets that have bonded to one another together. When selecting caregivers, consider partners, adult children, parents, brothers, sisters and friends who have met your pets and have successfully cared for them. Also, name alternate caregivers in case your first choice becomes unable or unwilling to take your pet. Second, stay in touch with the designated caregivers and alternates. Over time, people's circumstances and priorities change, and you want to make sure the arrangements you have made continue to hold from the designated caregivers' vantage points. If all else fails, it is possible to direct your executor or personal representative to place the animal with another individual or family (that is, in a non-institutionalized setting) in your will. Finding a satisfactory new home can take several weeks of searching, so again, it is important to line up temporary care.
You also have to know and trust your executor and provide useful, but not unrealistically confining instructions in your will. You also should authorize your executor to use funds from your estate for the temporary care of your pets as well as the costs of looking for a new home and transporting the animals to that home. The will also should grant broad discretion to your executor in making decisions about the animals and in expending funds on the animals' behalf. If you make adequate plans and careful decisions, you need not worry about the demise of your pets if you become disabled or die. A little planning can help ease your mind when it comes to caring for your pets. Make plans. Take action. Then you need not worry.Dr. Larry Baker practices small animal medicine and veterinary dentistry in Decatur, Ga.
