putting your pet in your will?

[violagirl]

We don't have a will yet (procrastinators) but in the event we both die I have told all of my family and friends that Kirk (my favorite dog) gets the house and whoever wants to take care of the animals can live there with him. I do trust my family and friends to find the animals good homes if that is needed though. They would not abandon them or bring them to the shelter. The problem with trying to rehome cats is - they are a dime a dozen. I have a very nice, friendly 12 year old tortie that would really be happier in a single pet home where she is not terrorized by the dogs or other cats but I have pretty much given up on finding someone to take her. I would never just drop her off at the shelter. I would even pay for her vet care and food as long as she lived. I wouldn't just place an ad on the internet and give her to just anyone. At this point she has her own room and seems happy enough to sleep in the sun most of the time. She will probably be one of those cats that lives to 30. 

[Bonny]

Apr 9, 2015 1:08:02 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

The nonprofit I'm with is a lifetime cat sanctuary as well as a cat rescue... a number of people plan for their cats for when they die (or can no longer and care for them) and in exchange for a surrender fee, their cats come and live at our 12-acre sanctuary. Just this past fall, an elderly man from Texas made arrangements to have the 8 stray cats he took care of sent to our sanctuary ... they were flown from Texas to Los Angeles and then Fed Ex (in a special vehicle) drove them up to us. He died a month later ~ but he knew his kitties would be OK and well taken care of. Another woman wanted to make sure her cats would be very comfortable with us when she can no longer care for them, so she helped fund an extension to our "senior house" (for older cats).

Even when people haven't made arrangements ahead of time, from time to time we get contacted by executors and trustees and family members who make the financial arrangements to have a loved one's cats come and stay with us. We've even had people from other countries make arrangements to ship their cats to us and pay the surrender fees.

How much is a "surrender" fee?

This seems like a great idea for situations where there's no one capable of taking care of the animal. I know my remaining family members are allergic to cats (I am too but one does develop a tolerance for one's own animals).

[Gardening Grandma]

I know one woman (no children) who left a generous amount to the local humane society with the stipulation that the HS find a good home for her dog.

Our dog is unlikely to live much longer (she's 14), but if I had a young dog, I'd have a chat with my son about my expectation that he provide the dog with a good home...  

I don't think a will is required if one had family that they know will give the animal a good home, but it sure couldn't hurt.

[movingforward]

Apr 9, 2015 6:48:06 GMT -5 violagirl said:

We don't have a will yet (procrastinators) but in the event we both die I have told all of my family and friends that Kirk (my favorite dog) gets the house and whoever wants to take care of the animals can live there with him. I do trust my family and friends to find the animals good homes if that is needed though. They would not abandon them or bring them to the shelter. The problem with trying to rehome cats is - they are a dime a dozen. I have a very nice, friendly 12 year old tortie that would really be happier in a single pet home where she is not terrorized by the dogs or other cats but I have pretty much given up on finding someone to take her. I would never just drop her off at the shelter. I would even pay for her vet care and food as long as she lived. I wouldn't just place an ad on the internet and give her to just anyone. At this point she has her own room and seems happy enough to sleep in the sun most of the time. She will probably be one of those cats that lives to 30. 

I have decided that the next cat I adopt is going to be an elderly cat.  There is nothing sadder than seeing an older animal who has been kicked to the curb.  I would adopt one now but my current cat has made it quite clear that no other cats are allowed in the house.  I believe he might tolerate a dog since he loved his foster mother's Irish Setter and I have been tempted to try and foster an older dog to see how he would react.