Reconsider an Euthansia Clause In Your Estate Planning for Your Pets
Many times, pet owners believe that no one can care for their companions with as much care and love as the owner.
Unfortunately, many owners take this idea to the extreme and inset a clause in their will that dictates euthanasia for their pets.
Why would someone spend an entire lifetime caring for a pet and then insist that the same animal be euthanized upon the death of the owner?
An excellent reference source that we often use is the website of the Michigan State College of Law, Animal Legal and Historical center.
They provide the following insight into this question:
"Just as there are instances of wills that stipulate that animals are to be cared for in the event that their owner dies, there are also instances of wills that stipulate that the animal is to be euthanized in the event that their owner dies. Although it seems ironic, the evidence indicates that these people are motivated by good intentions. In each and every case, the testimony revealed that the testator truly loved their pets. However, they believed that no one would take care of their pets and this was the only way to save them from inhumane treatment. In hindsight, their beliefs turned out to be false because once the public was made aware that the animals were to be destroyed, numerous people stepped forward to take them. In fact, usually there were so many people who wanted the animals, an agency had to be appointed to determine who would be the best caretaker among the candidates..."
You can read more here, at their website.
Please reconsider the use of a euthanasia clause in your estate planning.
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