Keep Those Tails Waggin’ and Belly Rubs Commin’ After You’re Gone
By Ara Radler
Since pets have a much shorter life span than their human caregivers, you may have planned for your dog’s passing. But, have you planned for your dog’s care in case you become sick, incapacitated or die first? In all the confusion that comes with a person’s illness or death, pets may be overlooked and left unattended during this time. (petfinder.com) If the pet’s care falls on whomever will accept it, he/she may be taken to a shelter, given away to strangers or otherwise be left to uncertain circumstances.
During the last few years since CBHR started taking owner-turn-ins (OTI’s), there has been a significant number of OTI’s due to the owner’s incapacitation or death. When people go to a nursing home or long-term care facility, they cannot take their pets along. The good news is that pets can be brought to the facility to visit their owner.
There are some things that you can easily do to prepare for an unexpected occurrence such as this.
- Find at least 2 responsible friends or relatives who will agree to serve as temporary/emergency caregivers in the event that something happens to you. Provide them with keys to your home, feeding and care instructions, your vet’s name and number and any permanent care provisions you have made for your pet.
- Inform your neighbors of the number of pets you have and that you have emergency caregivers in place.
- Carry a wallet “alert card” listing names and phone numbers of your emergency pet caregivers.
- Post removable “in case of emergency” notices on your doors or windows noting number and type of pets you have. (If they are removable, you can easily change them if needed.)
(petfinder.com)
All this said, there are many people who have no one to designate as a potential caregiver for their pet. In that case, discuss it with your vet and trusted pet sitters. They may be able to help you find the right people that are capable of caring for your pets when you no longer can. (2ndchance4pets.org)
Say you want to make it legal? If any bassets are reading this over your shoulder, now’s the time to cover their floppy ears and droopy eyes. The law sees pets as property. Since you can’t leave property to your property, you must set up a pet trust. (everplans.com) A pet trust is a legal technique you can use to be sure your pet receives proper care after your death or disability.
While you should definitely include your pet in your will, the one drawback to making provisions only in your will is that it can take a long time to execute. It has to go through probate court, which can take weeks (if you’re lucky) or months. If your will is contested it could take even longer. A trust kicks in right away. (everplans.com) And this will be the best news those floppy ears have heard.
