If you’re reading this blog, chances are you have at least one family member with paws. If the unthinkable should happen and tomorrow is your last day on earth, what will happen to your pets?
No one wants to think about such things, but that’s the reason we have life insurance and make a will. Yet dogs and cats wind up in shelters every day because their people died without providing for them.
Now’s the time to be sure that doesn’t happen to yours.
Pet parents often assume that if they die or become incapacitated, a loved one would look after their pets. Don’t assume. Confirm with that person that they will commit to becoming a pet guardian. Be sure they’re okay with having you put the information in writing, complete with phone numbers. Then keep it with your important papers where the person who would handle your affairs can easily find it.
If you have a will (and if you don’t, you should!), ask your attorney to include a pet trust. This provides funds from your estate to care for any pets you leave behind. Even if a trusted friend or family member has agreed to give your pets a home, you can make things easier by helping with expenses.
If you don’t have someone who’s agreed to be your pet guardian, you can specify in your will that your personal representative contact a volunteer rescue group to foster and rehome your pets. You can even note that he/she should contact move to ACT for a timely recommendation. This prevents a well-meaning but uninformed executor from taking your pets to the Humane Society or IACC on the assumption that they will be adopted.
Lawyers and estate planners also recommend that everyone have a Power of Attorney, a legal document that appoints someone to handle your affairs if you become incapacitated. You can include in this document authorization for your representative to pay care expenses and arrange foster or new homes for your pets if you become unable to care for them.
None of us wants to think about our beloved pets alone and frightened in a shelter. Takes steps NOW to assure that doesn’t happen. You’ll sleep better.