An Important Discussion about Pets - Death of the Owner

 

This is a special, short but important post, especially for Caturday.

Our friends who rescue cats have reported something that I do not think many owners think about. What will happen to my pets when I die? Our pet-rescue friends have ended up with a number of an animals in situations where the owner died and the pet left with no clear instructions as to "what next" should be done. Often they are older pets and hard to adopt out. One hopes that a shelter will take them, but not all shelters are no-kill, and sometimes neighbors just open the door and let the pets out onto the street--and, having been cared for all their lives, they have no idea how to fend for themselves and end up sick (or, if they are lucky, trapped and with our friends who will work hard to find a home for them).

Owners probably do not think about these things, especially if they are not yet facing end-of-life conditions. However, any of us can die at any time, and our pets deserve to be in our will, just like our children.

In the case of myself and my husband, who take in ferals, adopt them, and domesticate them (usually in that order) and now have six kitties of varying ages from young-ish to very old, we have a daughter who does the same. So, we know where our pets will go, plus, I have a special joint savings account with her that has sufficient funds in it for her to provide the expensive care needed for the three cats who have cancer.

When my sister-in-law died unexpectedly, however, she had no plan for her little doggie, whom she had adopted from a rescue shelter. He had been an abused dog, not in good health, and clearly ecstatic to have a home. When my sister-in-law did not return from the hospital after a routine heart test, following which she died in a matter of hours, the little guy was confused and sad. Relatives returned him to the shelter, where he died within a couple of weeks. If it is possible to die from heartbreak, that was likely the cause.

Here is a good article that can help you make appropriate plans for your pets: How to provide for pets in your will.