Felines and wills

Does anyone know anything about wills and the continued care of pets? I worry if something were to happen to myself and my husband what would happen to our pets. I love our families, but none of them would take as good of care of them as we do. We don't have any children, nor will we. What has everyone else done?

Heather

I saw something on tv about this not too long ago. let me see if I remember what they said.

basically it was about how if something happens to us there is no garauntee (please excuse my horrendous spelling) that our animals will go to good homes or be taken care of in the manner of which they have become accustom. you can set up a trust fund to go to the care of an animal, or make sure you donate money to a no kill shelter & leave your animal there if you don't have any one to care for your pet. legally I have no idea how this works, I just remember the story talking about what a concern this in now days.

Is in our existing will we have named individuals that we feel the animal would be the best cared for with and left them enough financial settlement as an incentive to do so. Of course, we have spoken with the people before doing this. You can also find an animal care facility and talk to them and donate a sum of money with the express instructions about how to care for your pets.

What about having savings accounts for your pets if they need some kind of surgery or treatment. I watch a veterinary show on tv and when pets get hit by cars, get sick, or get injured some other way and they need surgery or treatment, they have to think about the costs, which can be alot. I have decided to start a savings account for Jake, so the money will be there when we need it.

Nena,

I have done the same as Hissy, in my will it states that my cats, if they should outlive me, I have asked that my friends at Helping Paws take them and find them good homes or have them live on our Sanctuary once it's open. I also put $5 every two weeks in an account for their care in case something happens to me.

Alot of people don't think of things like their pets. And the problem with that is the families don't want the responsibility and will either dump them off at the pound or request that they be euthanized. That will never happen with my cats.

Donna

I have volunteered at a no-kill sanctuary for three years and they will be happy to talk with you about it. I would check around where you live and go and visit the place where they will reside. I would definitely ask what their adoption policies are so that you will know up front whether they adopt to just anybody or if they screen potential applicants. We are very strict with ours and are still very successful by adopting out around 35 cats per month. You can also specify whether you want your kitties to stay together. We have an application and if the people have kids, we must meet everyone first. We are very popular with people going into nursing homes and things of that nature because we are known for finding wonderful homes.

Oh WOW! I have never thought about this...well, I have to a certain extent, but always figured if I died hubby would still be alive, and would love me enough to still take care of my babies.....but geeesh...what if we were BOTH killed in a car accident or something!!!! What would happen to my 14 cats, 2 dogs, 5 duprasi, 2 hedgehogs, 2 rabbits and 1 rat????





I think ( I hope) my friend shannon would step in and take care of them, although I have never officially asked her....maybe I should do that tomorrow....ask her if she would take care of my babies if something should happen to me.

Thanks for making me think about this!!!!!

Not to be a dingaling but what in the heck is a duprasi??? What an ecclectic blend of critters you have!!!!:flash: :flash: :flash: :flash: :flash:

Ttapestry1,

How would I get a hold of them? There are several no-kill shelters in Michigan, but I don't know them personally. Do they have any information on what to do?

(everyone),
Brad (my husband) and I are going to make an appt. with a lawyer to get our will drawn up... I don't want to go in and be clueless about it, 'cuz I'm sure the lawyer will give us a weird look - but hey these are our children I'm talking about! Does any one know the "average" cost per year for the 'upkeep' of a cat?

Brad and I don't have many good friends, and those we do have I wouldn't feel comfortable about asking them to take in our 6 cats - I mean 6 is quite a few and most of them already have AT least 2...

I really appreciate your help!

Heather

and what the heck is a duprasi?

You don't have to know them. Just call and find out when they are open so that you can go in and visit. They know all about what to tell you. Some people choose to make small contributions every month and then in their will, leave a decent amount in it to them as well. They can advise you as to what to do. Just let them know what you want to do but you don't have to tell them anything that day. I would visit them all and figure out which one you want them to go to first. Then, when you decide, let them know and let your lawyer know. They can take it from there. Good luck! I wish more people were like you and plan ahead!!!

Steph, To answer your question a duprasi is a little bit like a hamster or gerbil, except they have the really soft fur of a chinchilla, and they have very fat tails....they are desert animals, and store fat and water in their tails, much like a camel does in it's humps. Don't feel bad, I had never heard of them either till I got them from a lady who sells them...they are so sweet!

If you want to see a picture of them, go to this website, make sure you scroll all the way down the page, their is alot of cute pics of them, and a closeup of the tail!

http://www.rodent.demon.co.uk/gerbils/duprasi.htm

Debby-They are sooooooo cute. I can't believer that little fat tail! They look so sweet! Do your cats like them?

Steph....well of course the cats don't like them....

I have it pre arranged that if anything happens to me, then both of my cats go to Laura and half of my life insurance policy will go to their needs and welfare. And, if I die before them, when they die I want them cremated and their fully closed urns to be mounted on my headstone. And, if they go before me, I want their urns to be buried with me. Of course, if I live to be 80, I will undoubtedly have many more cats and then I'll have to have a ctypt made to fit all my passed babies in there with me. OK, I'm sure this sounds demented.

Doesn't sound demented to me. My instructions to my husband and family are: I am to be cremated and my ashes are to be mixed with the ashes of all my cats that have passed before me. Then our ashes are to be spread somewhere nice. I just haven't figured out where yet.

I don't think that's demented at all!!! You guys have got me thinking!

If anything happens to my husband and I at the same time, my life insurance is left to my oldest daughter provided she uses the money to care for my cats. If she does not wish to do that or for any reason cannot, the money goes to one of my friends as long as they are willing to care for my cats. I do not want them placed, except for certain cats (the abys go to Frannie), but I have made sure there is money enough to take care of them. My house will be paid off and whoever takes my cats can live there with them. There are other terms and conditions, but that is the gist of it.