Arden's neighbor Flo Frum, age 86, made
arrangements for Buddy's care in the event
he outlives her. Photo by Arden Moore.
By Arden Moore
As you sit reading this column with perhaps a purring cat on your lap or snoozing dog next to you, ask yourself: If anything happened to you, what would happen to your pets?
Don’t have an answer? You’re not alone. The ASPCA estimates that a half-million healthy pets are killed each year because their owners died or entered nursing homes, leaving no one to care for the animals.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Just as most of us make funeral arrangements, set our affairs in order and draw up wills to help our families with painful transitions, it’s possible to make arrangements to help your animal companions as well.
Life is fragile and the unexpected can happen at any time to anyone, young or old. Be prepared and be responsible by:
Identifying true pet allies. Select people who are willing to step in and care for your pets should you require hospitalization, become incapacitated or, worse, die. Do not assume that your relatives will adopt your pets. Select two or three caregivers and discuss details with them. Offer to reciprocate for their pets, if you desire.
Packing a pet-plus ID. Carry an emergency identification card in your wallet that identifies you, your basic health situation (blood type, if diabetic, etc.), names of two or three people to reach in case of emergency, type and names of your pets, location of your pets’ items and medicines, veterinarian contact and after-hours pet emergency clinic contact info. Also provide contact info of your pet’s backup caregivers. Post a copy of this info in a visible place in your home, such as on your refrigerator for emergency personnel to quickly spot. Put the info inside an envelope and write in big letters: EMERGENCY INFO.
Spelling out your pets’ care in writing. Detail how your surviving pets should be cared for, by whom and where — in another home or in a pet sanctuary. Provide info on your pet’s personality, eating habits, special needs, favorite items and rituals. Let people know where you keep these instructions.
Budgeting for your pets’ care by setting up a fund. This fund should cover the cost of your pets’ food, medical needs and supplies. You can work out a monthly payment plan with estate planners, financial planners or life insurance company representatives.
Jackie Treneer, a professional pet sitter in Fort Lauderdale, adopted a 14-year-old bichon frisé and a 4-year-old miniature poodle when she discovered that their owner — one of her longtime clients — had died and the woman’s husband had decided not to keep the dogs.
“These two dogs are so bonded to one another and very sweet,” says Treneer, owner of Angels Pet Sitting Service. “It was not cheap for me to take on the care of these dogs, but it was the right thing to do.”
Treneer’s compassion is applauded by Amy Shever, founder of 2nd Chance 4 Pets, a nonprofit national group dedicated to this cause.
Shever is speaking up for dogs, cats, birds and other pets who face a double loss: their
No. 1 person and their happy, safe homes.
She is determined to deliver wake-up calls to people who are fortunate to share their lives with pets. She travels all over the country, educating and enlightening pet owners, veterinarians, animal rescue groups, civic organizations and anyone willing to listen.
I met Shever at a recent Pet Sitters International conference in New Orleans where we were both featured presenters. I attended her talk and, like everyone else in the audience, sat in silence, jolted by her message, powerful photos and short videos. At the end of her talk, Shever had a way of motivating us to take action now — not later.
Elizabeth Forman and her husband, David Closky, of Oxford, Ohio, heeded Shever’s advice by incorporating the care of their pets into their estate planning five years ago. They have four Weimaraners, a bull mastiff and three parrots.
“We have arranged for good friends to come and live in our house to care for our pets should something happen to us,” says Forman. “We put in money every single month to pay for pet care and our bank manages the money. We feel good that we have taken care of all the loose ends in our lives.”
My neighbor, Flo Frum, 86 years young, proclaims that Buddy, her energetic 6-year-old miniature schnauzer, keeps her invigorated to greet each new morning. After I talked with her about Shever, Flo put arrangements for the care of Buddy in writing — in case he outlives her.
And then she added with a twinkle in her eye: “But I plan to live to be 100.”
The 2nd Chance 4 Pets website (www.2ndchance4pets.org) contains a lot of information, forms and pet resources. You can also check out pet trust plans by visiting www.petguardian.com.
Our pets provide us with so many physical, mental and emotional benefits. Show them how much you really care by arranging for their well-being should they outlive you.
Arden Moore, founder of Four Legged Life.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author and professional speaker. She happily shares her home with two dogs, two cats and one overworked vacuum cleaner. Tune in to her Oh Behave show on Pet Life Radio.com and learn more by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com.
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