Pet Care when You are Not Here

If you think your best friend in the world or your relatives will happily take care of your pets in the event that you can’t, “think again.”

Your friends might not be willing to say “no” while you are alive, but what happens later? I know for a fact, even my mother would not want to look after my cats because she doesn’t really like cats. It would be unfair to the cats and to her to leave them in her care. Not everyone loves pets, that is for sure.

While thinking about your soul is the most important thing you can ever do, thinking about what will happen to your pets if you are not here to look after them, could be a close second. Especially for those of us who think of our pets as being like kids.

Apparently, many dogs, cats and other pets found in shelters end up there because their owners became ill or were unable to care for them. Some owners died without leaving plans for their pets’ next home. Unfortunately, many of these animals are euthanized because they can’t find homes.

“64 percent of all pets that entered the participating shelters for any reason were euthanized.” –A survey conducted between 1994 and 1997 by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy

We all heard the stories about pets being left behind in homes and apartments after the Sept 11th tragedy and while that was more “visible” to us, this problem is not uncommon.

Lisa starts her book with a rather frightening story about how an owner died and his son had no interest in protecting animals and let them all out of the house to wander and fend for themselves. Fortunately a local animal shelter and rescue coordinator were able to save the animals and find homes for them. Lisa states that unfortunately not all stories end this happily.

This book will show you why:

1. Having a will isn’t enough
2. Why probate is dangerous for your pets
3. How to fund a pet trust even if you’re broke
4. How to avoid challenges from non-pet-loving relatives.
5. Why it is a good idea to keep a “In Case of Emergency” wallet card.
6. It is a good idea to have an emergency kit for your pets if you live in areas where there is danger of a natural disaster.
7. Why it is important to take this seriously if you love your pets.

Contents:

Chapter One: Why You Need Perpetual Care

Chapter Two: The Essentials

Chapter Three: Finding Your Perpetual Caretaker

Chapter Four: Estate Planning for Pets

Chapter Five: Of Hound Mind and Body

Chapter Six: In Dog – Or Cat -We Trust

Chapter Seven: Gimme Shelter: Sanctuaries and Retirement Homes

Chapter Eight: The Fine Print: What Else You Can Do

An Appendix guides you to pet-friendly lawyers and pet retirement homes and sanctuaries. There is also a list of states where pet trusts are legal.

The fact is, many of us think we are too young to write a will. Maybe this book will also encourage you to write your own will and there is information included that will give you some ideas on how to go about writing a will.

Lisa Rogak is the author of more than 25 books. She lives in New Hampshire with her 12 cats where she also runs a company that produces over 100 different greeting cards.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to humane organizations in all fifty states.

A book about making plans for the continued survival of your pets in the event you are unable to care for them, due to either disability or death.

Can you have too many cats?