Happy New Year
Happy New Year to you, your family and your pets.
I hope that you have a safe and prosperous 2009.
It seems that it should not take much for next year to be better than 2008.
New Airline To Offer Cabin Travel for Pets Only
Many pet owners cannot stand the thought of leaving little Flu Flu at a veterinarian or at a boarder while they are whist away to some exotic vacation spot.
On the other hand, if you simply must have your pet with you and shudder when you watch little Fido stuffed into a cage and then stashed under the cold lonely belly of the plane.
Another alternative may be on the way.
Although there are no flights yet scheduled, you can become a member of the newest airline to support your pets.
According to their website, PetAirWays will begin a new concept in pet travel next year:
"Pet Airways was created because we love our pets and we were distressed by the conditions they had to endure to fly.
Our pets are not luggage, so why should they fly in the cargo hold where it is dark, scary, noisy, very cold or very hot, and basically a terrible experience?
Pet Airways is the first pets only airline specifically designed for the safe and comfortable transportation of our pets.
Our pets travel in the main cabin of our specially outfitted aircraft,with climate and lighting controlled for comfort and safety and with a pet-attendant always watching over the pets. "
The airline is supposed to have a fleet of twenty cargo planes to travel to all of the major cities in the United States.
If you have any interest, visit their **site for further information.
It may be a bit over the top for some of you, but who knows?
**Pettrustlawblog.com does not endorse or recommend PetAirWays in any manner, but offers their site for your review and consideration.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
The long weekend is upon us and I wish you well.
Travel safely.
Have an enjoyable time.
Share with your friends.
Relax.
May you receive exactly want you want from Santa.
Smile.
Laugh.
Eat too much.
Forget the economy for a short time; it will still be bad next week.
Hug your family and your pets.
Make Your Holiday Home Safe For Your Pets
We want to give you some final reminders for safety for your pets as the holidays are really, really here.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has the following advice:
"O Christmas Tree:
Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling.
Tinsel-less Town:
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.
Toy Joy:
Stuff your pet’s stockings with gifts that are safe:
• Many a dog has been known to tear her toys apart and swallow the pieces, which can become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, digestible chew treats or Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods.
• Ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in a cat’s intestines often necessitate surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play time together.
Forget the Mistletoe & Holly:
When ingested by pets, mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and many varieties of lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet."
A little planning and prevention can protect your pets during this season.
Microchip Did Not Save This Pet
I have written before about the need and usefulness of microchips for your pets, here and here.
They are used to assist you and others in identifying and locating lost pets.
Some times though, even common sense will not overcome this technological advancement.
A family in Naples, Florida recently lost their pet when a local veternarian failed, for whatever reason, to search and scan for a microchip when an an unidentifiable pet was presented to his facility.
The sad story is as follows:
"Katie's Story:
I was adopted by Maureen, Victor, Matthew and Jamie when I was 4 months old. I had a wonderful life. We traveled alot, went camping, boating, horseback riding and walking. Maureen and I could walk for miles together. My favorite was going for car rides! And I didn't care where we went. I met alot of friends along the way. I had a litter of 5 puppies, one looked just like me, her name was Minnie Me.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer when I was 7 yrs old, my Doctor's said I still had a long life ahead of me. I didn't even have to take medicine on a regular basis.
Maureen made sure I had a Microchip, OUCH! she said it would help me get home if I ever got lost.
Well, I did get lost, on 11/30/08, I wondered out of the back door, just to see who has been walking by! I was found shortly after by a Neighbor. They had 2 Black Labs. They took me in and the next day they took me to their Vet.
The Vet told them that I had Breast Cancer and Cataracts, but didn't check me for a MICROCHIP?? So, they took me back to their house.
I wish they would just call Maureen, I know she is looking for me!!
The next day they took me back to the Vet and they decided to put me to sleep!!
WAIT!!!! My Birthday is next month, I am going to be 14 yrs old! Jamie was 3yrs old when I met her, she is about to Graduate High School, I HAVE A MICROCHIP! Someone PLEASE scan my Microchip! I want to go home to my family. They must be so worried about me!
Well, the Vet DID NOT scan my Microchip and they are going to Euthanize me. I just want to go home.
Maureen will tell the rest of the story........."
Unfortunately, Katie was euthanized less than 48 hour after she went missing from her home.
The family has now established a non-profit organization in Katie’s memory to improve the awareness of microchipping.
You can visit the site of Katie’s Story here and become involved with the organization if you desire.
We know that microchipping your pet is not infallible, but it is still a protective option that you should use.
More Pet Sitting Tips
I have written on numerous occasions, here, here and here, about pet sitting services and critical items that you need to know before you leave your pet with a stranger.
Fur Pals Pet Care offers some additional insight into the issues involved and provides answers to some basic questions as follows:
What services do you offer?
"We offer in home care for travel or vacations, midday walks, baths and nail clips, massage, reiki, personalized shopping, animal-themed gifts for pets and their people, referrals, errand service, taxi service, animal behaviour consultations, total life cycle assistance - pre-pet, new pet, grief and loss."
What advice do you have for pet owners who are using a pet sitter for the first time?
"Be realistic and honest about you, your pet and what you expect from the pet sitter. Realize the pet sitter is a service provider like any other service provider and may be able to help you in many different ways. However, they need information, help and so forth from you in order to provide the best care for your pet and the best value to you. Keep in mind too, that both you and your pet should be comfortable. Anybody can hang out a shingle and say they are a petsitter. Check for certifications in things like animal first aid and animal CPR, insurance, bonding, and business licensure where required. Make sure the company checks the backgrounds of those who they employ or contract to care for your pet. Find out what kinds of pets the pet care providers have as well as the worst experiences they have had with pets and how they handled the situation."
Do you have any expectations of your pet sitting clients?
"Again, the client being realistic and providing the information, materials and so forth that we need is important. We expect them to communicate with us about what is going on, such as the pet’s health/behavior or behavioral changes, aggression, the animals’ fears or likes, the travel dates, early or late arrivals/departures, if others are looking in on the pets aside from us, emergency contacts being current. We also like to have an idea as to what we should do should the client meet their demise while away. We encourage our clients to book as far in advance as possible but we try to accommodate emergencies as much as we can."
You can see the full site and information of Fur Pals Pet Care ** here.
Since I believe that this is a very valuable tool for pet owners, I will continue to provide information that I think will assist you in your decision for a good pet sitter.
**Pettrustlawblog.com does not endorse or recommend Fur Pals Pet Care in any manner, but offers their advice for your review and consideration.
Triva Answers Provide for Shelter Animals
I recently stumbled across a new website.
Thus far, it appears to be legitimate.
A pet food manufacturer sponsors it, but in exchange for this consideration, they provide kibble to animal shelters.
All you need to do to assist is to answer a simple animal trivia question.
12-year-old Mimi Ausland, from Bend, Oregon, stated the site.
The site states that since its inception in April of this year, over 61 million pieces of kibble have been donated to eleven animal shelters throughout the United States.
Seem like a fun and simple way to assist animals in need.
You can go to the site once each day and do your part to contribute.
Check out the entire site here.
Let me know what you think.
Continuing Education for Professionals
Many of our active readers are also avid supporters of their local Humane Society or other similar community organization.
They support these facilities with their time and their money.
In addition to providing care and medicine for local animals, a vital part of the many programs of the various entities is education.
This applies not only to the public, but also to the professional groups, such as attorneys, financial planners and estate planners.
I have been working with the Humane Society of Naples to assist in the education process of pet trusts and estate planning for pet owners, to present to the public and the professionals.
To that end, we have been successful in preparing a Continuing Legal Education program that has received approval by the Florida Bar. The program is entitled Estate Planning For Animal Owners.
If you believe that your organization could benefit from a similar program, I will do whatever I can to assist.
Have your organization’s representative contact me directly.
This could be a long range planning strategy that benefits your pet community.
Does Nebraska Have a Pet Lemon Law?
After the article on lemon laws for pets, we had an inquiry from a reader of this blog, from the state of Nebraska, questioning whether the Cornhusker state had such a statute.
Our initial review of the state legislation indicates that, although Nebraska has a Pet Trust Statute and new legislation regarding the licensing of veterinarians, there is no applicable pet lemon law on the books.
Currently only a minority of the states have passed this specific type of legislation.
More Pet Sitter Tips
I recently provided some tips for those of you who will be utilizing a pet sitter in the upcoming holiday season.
You can see the previous post here.
Today we continue with some additional tips from ** Pet Sitters International;
"Does the sitter have a clean criminal history?
Ask for third-party credentials that verify the sitter has a history of honesty and integrity. Official verification documents will contain current annual dates (within one year) and certified seals. PSI offers its members background checks certified through CastleBranch, Inc. and CertifiedBackground. Remember, the person you choose to hire will have access to your property and your beloved animal companion(s). This documentation can provide the peace of mind you seek when admitting a new pet care provider to your home.
Does the pet sitter meet with you and your pet(s) in advance? Is there a charge for this in-home meeting?
Initial interviews allow the pet sitter to meet with you in your home, interact with your pets and discuss services and business policies. These visits are highly recommended for both pet owner and pet sitter. Pet sitters offer this service at no charge, while others charge a nominal fee for their time and travel expenses.
How much experience does the pet sitter have in caring for your particular type of pet?
Experience in caring for special needs pets or unusual types of pets is helpful if that is what you need. Pet sitters who have completed PSI’s Accreditation Program have the resources on hand to care for a wide variety of companion animal species.
Does the pet sitter willingly and happily provide references?
PSI recommends that all of its members have a list of references for potential clients to contact.
Does the pet sitter use a service contract that spells out services performed and fees for doing so?
A well-written contract outlines the details associated with each service the sitter will provide. The contract includes all fees along with the expected amount of time that will be spent with your pet(s). This ensures that both you and your sitter have agreed on and understand the level of service being provided in your absence
How much time does the pet sitter spend in your home to care for your pet(s)?
The average in-home visit to care for one pet is 30 minutes, but additional time may be required if you request special services such as dog walking, pet grooming, etc. or have a multiple pet household.
Does the pet sitter have a Web site that you may peruse?
Many pet sitters have Web sites to communicate with current and potential clients. It is an excellent way to provide information to pet owners and to offer the option of e-mail communication between owners and sitters.
What contingency plan does the pet sitter have in the event of inclement weather or natural disaster while caring for your pet(s)?
Every professional pet sitter should have a written Disaster Plan that addresses natural or man-made disasters, as well as a contingency plan to provide for your pet’s care if anything prevents the sitter from completing the assignment.)
What does the pet sitter do if medical care is needed for your pet?
Arrangements should be made with your veterinarian and/or local emergency veterinary clinic to allow the sitter to seek medical attention for your pet while you are away.
How does the pet sitting agency screen and train their pet sitters?
When a pet-sitting business owner uses staff sitters, a careful employment screening process should be used to ensure that any of the company’s personnel who care for your pet are trained and equipped to provide the high-quality care you and your pet deserve.
During the in-home interview, does the pet sitter exhibit a positive attitude and seem comfortable and competent in caring for your pet(s)?
A positive attitude goes hand in hand with experience when it comes to in-home pet care. As a result, you can feel at ease and look forward to the in-home pet-care a professional pet sitter provides.
How will the pet sitter confirm your safe return home for the care of your pet(s)?
Your pet sitter should call to confirm that you have returned home at the expected time or ask that you call to confirm your return.
Will the pet sitter provide you with an evaluation or rating form of their services?
A service rating form is the hallmark of a professional pet sitter who wants to ensure client satisfaction.
What are the payment terms?
Some pet sitters require payment in full for first time customers while others require a deposit upon reservation and balance paid at the end of the assignment. There is no industry standard for payment terms, so be sure you understand in advance the terms of the pet sitting business you utilize..."
You have the responsibility for the safety and well being of your pets. Exercise that responsibility.
**Pettrustlawblog.com does not endorse or recommend Pet Sitters International in any manner, but offers their advise for your review and consideration.
Interview Your Potential Pet Sitter
As many of us will be way from home for short time periods, as well as on extended travel during the holiday periods, I recently wrote about some basic information that you should provide to your Pet Sitter, before you turn over your pet and leave your home.
According to their Mission statement, Pet Sitters International is dedicated to educating professional pet sitters and promoting, supporting and recognizing excellence in pet sitting.
They suggest that you carefully interview your potential Pet Sitter as cautiously as you would for a family member.
Among their suggestion are the following tips:
"Does the pet sitter (or agency) keep regular office hours?
A Professional pet sitter should have a schedule of office hours. A larger business may have additional personnel to answer phone calls or e-mails, but many pet sitters are sole proprietors who use answering machines to field inquiries.
If you left a message inquiring about services, how soon was it returned?
All phone calls should be returned within 24 hours.
How much notice does the pet sitter (or agency) need in order to schedule your request for a pet sitter?
Most pet sitters request at least two weeks notice, but may be able to accommodate an occasional short-notice assignment. Sometimes there is an additional charge for short-notice assignments.
Does the pet sitter (or agency) have established fees for pet care they can quote over the phone and/or in company literature?
A professional pet sitter should have a published list of fees that cover the most common pet-care requests. Fees for special services may be worked out on a case-by-case basis.
Is the pet sitter bonded and insured?
Ask for proof of coverage. PSI members have access to group rates on policies specifically for pet sitters and are provided insurance cards...."
We will provide some additional tips on this important issue next week.
Lemon Law For Your Pet
Did you know that many states have Lemon Laws that apply to pets?
Really!
Florida has one of the most inclusive buyer protection laws in the nation and it applies to both cats and dogs.
The law requires vaccinations and examinations for all animals prior to sale.
It also provides, in part, that a pet dealer may not knowingly misrepresent the breed, sex, or health of any dog or cat offered for sale within the state.
The definition of a pet dealer also includes active hobby breeders. A pet dealer is defined as anyone who sells more than two litters or twenty animals per year, whichever is greater.
Consumers have two weeks from the purchase date to document contagious or infectious disease and a full year to document congenital or hereditary defects.
The law provides for replacement of the animal, plus reimbursement for veterinary expenses related to certifying the illness, up to the price of the dog.
In addition to monetary damages for the buyer, there may be misdemeanor issues for the seller in violation of the statute.
You can review the entire statute here.
Approximately twenty states have enacted this type of legislation.
Check in your state to see if you have this protection for you and your pets.
Talk With Your Attorney
I was told by a lawyer (not my lawyer) that a pet trust and a living trust are one in the same. He said they both have the same provisions.
He said by slightly changing the words in a few paragraphs, 95% of the trust articles and the length of both trust are nearly the same.
I am writing to get your opinion, not to try and prove anyone wrong.
1. If the lawyer is correct, and I already have a living trust, could I use that same document as a template, and have my lawyer draw up a pet trust for my pet?
2. Do I need a living trust and a pet trust or can I amend my living trust to take care of my pet?
3. If I can protect my pet by adding an amendment to my trust, what would you charge to draw up the amendment?
4. Can I provide for the care of my pet in my durable power of attorney, or should I have a separate document for that?
Thanks
Billie
Billie, I am not trying to avoid any of your questions or issues, but I cannot begin to answer your inquiries.
Each individual’s estate plan, financial needs and family situation varies tremendously.
A living trust, a trust, a statutory pet trust and a common law trust are very different entities.
You should discuss all of these issues with your attorney after he or she has had the opportunity to secure the necessary information and background to give the proper advice and guidance.
Idle conversation with an attorney unfamiliar with your situation is like securing medical advice on how to set your own broken bone from the internet.
