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Cocker News

Who’ll Feed Fido When You Can’t?
Your will should designate a caretaker for your furry friends if you're suddenly out of the picture.

By Elizabeth McCall

If you died unexpectedly, what would happen to your beloved four-legged companion? The American Veterinary Medical Association says more than 58 million households have at least one animal companion, and many pets are abandoned or euthanized after their owner dies, because no one planned for their ongoing welfare. Planning is not just for singles or seniors: The dog and cat owned by John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, killed in a 1999 plane crash, for example, weren't provided for in a will. (His family took the pets.)

So what can you do to plan?

"If you're going to sit down and figure out who is going to get your house after you die, think about your animals at the same time," says Charlotte Alexander, who, along with husband David Congalton, co-wrote "When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animal Companions After You Die" (NewSage Press, $12.95). Making financial arrangements for a pet in your will isn't always easy; non-pet-loving relatives have successfully challenged bequests. "Historically, the courts have not looked positively at large gifts left to animals," Congalton says.
And pet trusts, which provide money and name a pet caretaker, are legal in only 17 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Help is out there: The Humane Society of the United States, for example, has set up foster care guidelines for military personnel called to active duty. But pet owners should identify several potential caregivers, Lisa Rogak writes in her book, "PerPETual Care: Who Will Look After Your Pets If You're Not Around?" (Litterature, $15). Rogak, who owns a dozen cats and publishes a pet greeting card line, says relatives and friends aren't necessarily the best insurance against your pet ending up homeless -- or worse. Congalton agrees: Ask, "Is somebody going to take care of them the way you would want? [It's] the logical extension of the human-animal bond -- that last step."

Preparing a pet alert card

Do this today! It provides immediate instructions in the event death or hospitalization prevents you from returning home to your pets. (Source: When Your Pet Outlives You)

1. Create a profile
List/describe household pets.
List contact info of emergency care providers.
Keep card in wallet/purse.

2. Set up a pet ID file
Create a file for each pet that includes a photo, vaccination and medical records, and current medication.
Include contact info of veterinarian, pet sitters, neighbors and/or a boarding kennel.
Are any pets in cages or crates? If so, why? Are there special instructions?
Does pet have a microchip?
List meal instructions.
List socialization needs (e.g., cats that grew up together and should stay that way).
Make info easy for others to access. Put a note on the fridge telling where file can be found.

3. Name emergency caretaker(s)
Make sure each caretaker has a house key and knows where pet files are located.
Discuss expectations in advance.