Planning for Your Family Member's Pet
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One of the least favorite topics of conversation for family caregivers is planning for the end of life. Yet, these conversations are critical if the family wants to enjoy the last days of life to the maximum extent possible. By exploring the desires and wishes of the family member, key decisions can be made that will satisfy the need of many at the end of life to maintain some sense of control over what time is left. If you find these conversations to be stressful, consider how much stress will then be lifted from the time around the end of life.
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As you have these discussions, be sure to consider and plan for the future of the family member's pet or pets. It is difficult to think of these type issues when someone is dying or is experiencing an acute health problem. Your focus at that time will be on the needs of your family member - as it should be. But, the pet will still need to be fed and cared for and when the family member dies, the pet will still need love and care. |
Pets experience the grief of loss as well. You may find Mom or Dad's pet withdrawn or sullen. Or, the pet may suddenly seem very clingy or needy. You may not be able to address these behaviors at the time. So, plan ahead for both the time before death and after death occurs. The pet that brought so much joy and comfort and companionship to your family member deserves more that being dropped off at a shelter where many will find a rapid end to their own life. You can prevent this from happening. Plan now.
What are your options?
- Family Members and Friends of the Family
The most logical and sometimes easiest and best solution is to arrange for a family member or friend of the family to accept the pet into his or her family. This option can make for a very smooth transition for both the pet and the families involved. The pet has probably met the other family before and would receive some level of comfort from that. And, the "new" family now will have a trained companion that they already know. It is always thoughtful to include a monetary amount in the will to help cover costs if that is an option. - Bequests
Bequests are part of your will or living trust. To ensure that your wishes are followed upon your death, you can appoint an "agent" to find a suitable home for your pet and to use money from your estate to provide for the pet in the way you have pre-specified. You can also specify the person to receive your pet at the time of your death so that there will be no issues about carrying out your wishes. Money set aside for the care of the pet can be specified so that you can be certain that sufficient funds are available for your pet's needs. Some animal shelters have plans that, should you make a bequest of a certain amount, they agree to care for your pet until a proper loving home can be found. If such a home cannot be found, they agree to care for your pet until the end. Your attorney can help you draft a bequest that best suits your intent and that will ensure the best care for your pet. Thirty nine states now have "pet trusts" statutes. Using an attorney to handle a pet trust is smart to help ensure that the trust will not be contested by others wanting the money set aside for the pet. Be aware that, in many states, if you leave money directly to your pet and not an "agent", that portion of your will or trust will be disregarded and the money set aside will go to the next person set to inherit or is put back into the estate for distribution. An attorney can also help you to provide for a means of compliance with the terms of the bequest i.e. an outside check that your "agent" is not using the money for another purpose. - Non-Profit Charities for Pets
A new type of charity has emerged in recent years. It is a charity that, for a fee, will take in your pet and provide a home for it for the rest of it's life - under certain conditions. Many function as insurance companies in the respect that you sign a contract and pay a monthly fee to ensure that, should the need arise, the pet will be cared for until it's death. Of course, as with any insurance program, there are conditions. They may require signing when your family member is healthy and over a certain age and/or the pet must meet certain health conditions as well. As with everything, read the fine print. However, such a charity may be a welcome choice and may provide peace of mind to a pet owner. Some charities will even arrange to transport the pet across state lines to their facility. Explore this option and you may find just the right fit for your needs and budget. Additionally, some of these type charities will provide for the pet until it's death for a fee. Typically, the cost is higher than that paid as part of a planned agreement. And, you run the risk of the charity not having the capability to take the pet when there is the need. So, think through all the options before making your choice. An example is linked below.
- No Kill Shelters
You may be considering a no kill shelter. These are shelters that do not euthanize. However, due to the high demand for their services, they may not have room to take your pet at the time you need them if you don't pre-plan. Rather than waiting until you need to make a quick decision about the pet, it would be a better option to contact the shelter now and see if they have a bequest plan that would legally ensure that, for a fee (your bequest), they would take your pet and care for your pet. However, do note that they would try to find a loving home for your pet. Older pets, in particular, are often hard to place. Is that what you want for your companion? It may be the best option - to live out his or her life in the shelter. Many no kill shelters are very well run and employ staff that love animals. Check out the most likely shelter and see what you think. - Rescue Organizations
Again, these great groups are in high demand. They rescue and care for animals of a certain type or breed. The need is great. Consequently, if you don't pre-plan and arrange something legally binding with one of them ahead of time, you may find they have no room to accommodate your pet when the time of decision occurs. Check with the Better Business Bureau and make sure your attorney includes a "checks and balances" clause should you be able to work out a suitable option with one of these groups. You want to make sure they will be operating when you have the need and that they will use your money responsibly and as you intended. - Service Animals
Service animals have been specially trained in their area of work. They are used to serving and having tasks to perform. They are valuable assets to the disabled. Consider contacting the agency that trained the service animal in your family. Depending on the age and training of the "pet", the agency may be able to place him or her with another family in need. If not, any of the above options would be applicable. These wonderful animals deserve the best you can provide for them - for the rest of their lives. - Livestock
As family members age, they may reduce the number of livestock they continue to care for. However, they may not. There may be chickens, goats, horses, mules, or others. Usually, other farmers or those living in the country welcome the opportunity to add to their "farm family". It is worthwhile to consider whether or not the livestock has been considered pets or not. As you consider where to place the animals, consider whether or not the animals will end up as food on the table or whether they will be treated as pets. That may be important to you.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the Humane Society of the US and/or your local animal shelter or Animal Protection Society.
