Leaving Your Pet to A Shelter Requires Planning
If you, as a pet owner, have no real friend or relative whom you believe can take care of your pet after your death, you may need to consider leaving your pet with a charitable organization whose goal is to care for you pet.
A local humane society or shelter usually is a good starting place to look for acceptance for your pet.
Keep in mind, you will almost without exception, need to make financial provisions to the shelter to cover the costs of your pet.
Many times, a specific will clause is optimized to help in this type of a situation.
Below is one example:
"I give all of my [dogs' cats, and other animals] to the [Humane Shelter], presently located at [address], with the following requests:
. that the [Humane Shelter] take possession of and care for all my animals and search for good homes for them;
. that until homes are found for my animals, the animals be placed in foster homes rather than in cages at the shelter;
. that if it is necessary to keep some of the animals in cages while making arrangements to fend permanent homes, in no event should any animal stay more than a total of 2 weeks in a cage;
. that each animal should receive appropriate veterinary care, as needed;
. that after attempts have been made for 3months to place an animal, my [son], presently residing at [address], be contacted if it is not possible to place an animal so that he can assist with finding a home for the animal;
. that the shelter make every effort to assure that none of my animals are ever used for medical research or product testing or painful experimentation under any circumstances:
. that, after placement, shelter personnel make follow-up visits to assure that my animals are receiving proper care in their new homes.
If the [Humane Shelter] is in existence at the time of my death and is able to accept my animals, I give [$_ to the Humane Shelter]If the [Humane Shelter] is unable to accept my animals, I give my animals and [$ / to one or more similar charitable organizations as my Executor shall select, subject to the requests made above."
If no friends or relatives come to mind to care for your pet, all it not lost. Meet and speak with your local shelter personnel to see if their needs meet your concerns.
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