How Do I Become a Pet Caregiver?
I recently received this inquiry from a reader.
Hi Danny - I am interested in becoming a pet caregiver. I am recently divorced and my ex kept the dogs - I miss them terribly.
I figure becoming a pet caregiver can fulfill two needs that I have 1) have a dog on whom I can lavish attention and love, and 2) potentially garner a small income to help me adjust to the single income.
What is the best way to find organizations that match potential caregivers with pets newly in need of homes?
Most local humane societies and other safe refuge and sanctuary facilities for companion animals are always in need of good, qualified and competent caregivers.
I suggest that you contact them and request an introductory meeting with the director of these facilities and explain your interest and qualifications.
How Much to Pay A Pet Caregiver?
Can you just give me general info on the cost? How much does one get paid to be a pet caregiver? Tony, Marco Island, FL
Tony, there is no standard that a pet caregiver receives for taking care of the pets of a deceased owner.
If obviously depends on the type, number and age of the pets.
For example, it would certainly be easier to take care of a parakeet, as compared to three horses.
Other factors include items such as the daily schedule or routine that the owner has established in the pet trust.
It will also make a difference if the pets reside with the caregiver or if the caregiver moves into the former owner’s residence.
Many times the owner and the named caregiver will have discussed and agreed upon all of these factors
Of course, the language of the pet trust will ultimately control the amount of payment.
Reader Wants To Be A Pet Caregiver
I recently received a call from a reader who is interested in the position of pet caregiver.
I do not personally know this individual and have only spoken to her on the phone.
These are her credentials:
"My husband and I are interested in taking care of a small, nonaggressive dog or two dogs for an owner or owners who can no longer keep their pets. We would provide these pets with the best of care. Our dog, a Havanese, is 14 years old. We had a Maltese 12 years old who passed away. She had Cushings Disease. We have a residence in a gated community. The house has a yard and a doggie dog which provides 24 hour access to the outside area. Previously, we have volunteered at rescues, Van Nuys, California and West Palm Beach, Florida in working with large and small dogs. We have assisted in their training and socialization. We have fostered a number of dogs home to prepare them for their new homes. My husband works from home as a graphic artist. He has designed, photographed dogs and maintained a dog rescue website. I have been a guidance counselor and am currently taking classes in the medical field. We have no children. Both of us spend a lot of time home or taking our dog to the park or out for walks. We have access to an excellent veterinarian."
If you are in need of a caregiver for your pet and have any interest in speaking with her about this opportunity, contact me.
Thanks.
Concerned About Choosing A Caregiver for Your Pet Trust?
Pet owners often complain to me that they are not comfortable with picking a friend or family member to be the caregiver for their pets.
Many local Humane Societies are a viable alternative to choosing an individual pet caregiver.
They usually offer a number of programs that include providing care and shelter for the remaining life of your pets.
Some offer to secure a good adopting family for a new home for your pets.
These organizations will require some type of monetary arrangement with your to ensure proper planning. A yearly donation to the Society and then a clause for an additional bequest in your will are normal minimum requests.
If you can afford the financial burden, Humane Societies are excellent choices for the future of your pets, long after you are gone.
Just plan ahead.
Three Million Dollars Left To Fund a Pet Trust-Mansion to Caregiver
Victor Posner was an American businessperson, millionaire and philanthropist who was an original pioneer of the leveraged buyout.
Upon his death, he left a wife and son to survive him.
That wife Gail, has now passed away and left $3 million in a trust to her pet Chihuahua, Conchita and two other dogs.
Her housekeeper will be able to live, rent free, in an $8.3 Million Miami Beach mansion, as long a sheremains the caregiver of the dogs.
She also left some $26 million to house staff and bodyguards.
By the way, she left her son Carl----One million dollars.
What Information Does My Pet Caregiver Need From Me
When you establish your Pet Trust, you should be clear and provide very specific information about your pet to your caregiver.
Even if the new caregiver knows your pet very well, they still need as much information as possible to make a new and happy home for your pet.
At the very least, the following information should be provided;
Identify any specific behavior or habits of your Pet,
Is your pet basically an indoor or outdoor Pet,
Identity the Breeder of your Pet (if applicable),
Identify the brand of food that you feed this Pet,
What are the usual feeding time schedules and the amount of food for each meal,
Identify any special medications, supplements or other dietary needs,
Identify the location of all medical records, inoculation and spay/neuter certificates,
Identify the daily routine for your Pet including the specific (if any) location for sleeping, eating, baths, grooming, walking or exercise locations and interaction with other local animals, special play activities, how to calm your pet when it is disturbed or in fear and adaptations to travel, and
Identify the favorite toys or play objects for your Pet.
The more information given to the caregiver, the smoother the transfer for all parties.
Still Need a Caregiver For Your Pet Trust?
Who will be the caregiver?
This is the most difficult question that needs to be answered when doing estate planning for animals.
Most of us do not want to impose those daunting responsibilities on unwilling friends or families.
If you cannot find someone to appoint as the caregiver for your pet trust, you might consider a Homeless Animal Rescue Team or H.A.R.T.
There are many H.A.R.T locations throughout the United States.
These are 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations formed to provide care and shelter for neglected, abused and abandoned animals.
They are generally local and actively engaged in monitoring the animals in the area and assisting in the placement in temporary and then permanent homes.
Although there is no national headquarters that I know of, you should be able to find a local H.A.R.T. in your area.
Who do You Appoint as the Caregiver in Your Pet Trust?
The choice of a Caregiver for your pet is always a tough decision in the estate planning process for animals.
The Caregiver is essentially the person that you choose to be the Guardian of your pet when you cannot.
He or she will be responsible for the daily care and decisions made on behalf of your pet.
The issues of diet, exercise, medical treatment and ultimately even death and this individual must make follow-up decisions.
They should be expected to follow your wishes and directives regarding the care of your pet and must be willing to assume the responsibilities associated with caring for your pet.
Many times another family member will be appointed as the Caregiver. Nevertheless, you need to discuss the situation completely with them in advance, to make sure that they are will to accept this responsibility.
Tough choice.
How Much Do I Pay the Caregiver in My Pet Trust?
How much should I pay the caregiver of my pet trust?
Betsy Naples, Florida
Betsy, this is a very good question and one that I cannot easily answer.
You obviously need to make some type of arrangement in your pet trust for payment to your pet’s caregiver.
The amount can vary greatly.
It depends upon the number of pets in the trust, the expected duration of the life off the pets, the relationship between you-the caregiver-and the pets and the expectations of duties and responsibilities that you place upon the caregiver.
The fee may be as small as a few dollars every week or can increase to several hundred dollars per month.
Remember, that no matter how much the caregiver likes your pets, it is still a chore for them to provide this service.
Discuss the potential caregiver fee with your attorney, pet panel and maybe even your trustee.
A Pet Guardian Instead of a Pet Trust?
I want to write a pet trust for my three cats, Curly, Larry and Moe.
However, I do not have anyone that I can trust to be the Caregiver.
Is there an organization that you could recommend for this position?
Kathy Seattle, Washington
Kathy, Most local Humane Societies will perform this duty for your pet.
In Seattle, the Seattle Humane Society provides this service. It is called the Seattle Humane Society Pet Guardian Program.
According to Brenda Barnette, CEO, their Pet Guardian Program,”provides animal lovers with the peace of mind and the guarantee that we will be there for their beloved companions when they are no longer able to care for them due to disability or death.”
The Pet Guardian Program is a free service for Seattle Humane Society adopters, volunteers and donors who specify in their wills or trust documents that their pet.
She also makes the following recommendations:
• Prepare written instructions including the pet's likes and dislikes and the name of the pet's regular veterinarian,
• Update the instructions every six months and keep them in a safe place,
• Make arrangements with a trusted friend, relative or designated caregiver to transport the pet to the Seattle Humane Society when the time comes.
For further information, visit their web site here.
Give Your Pet Caregiver Some Guidance
When you establish your Pet Trust, you should be clear and provide very specific information about your pet to your caregiver.
Even if the new caregiver knows your pet very well, they still need as much information as possible to make a new and happy home for your pet.
At the very least, the following information should be provided;
Identify any specific behavior or habits of your Pet,
Is your pet basically an indoor or outdoor Pet,
Identity the Breeder of your Pet (if applicable),
Identify the brand of food that you feed this Pet,
What are the usual feeding time schedules and the amount of food for each meal,
Identify any special medications, supplements or other dietary needs,
Identify the location of all medical records, inoculation and spay/neuter certificates,
Identify the daily routine for your Pet including the specific (if any) location for sleeping, eating, baths, grooming, walking or exercise locations and interaction with other local animals, special play activities, how to calm your pet when it is disturbed or in fear and adaptations to travel, and
Identify the favorite toys or play objects for your Pet.
The more information given to the caregiver, the smoother the transfer for all parties.
Add a Pet Trust to Your Estate Planning
If I have provided for my dog Derron in my will, why do I need to consider a Trust Agreement?
Chandra, Milroy, Indiana
Chandra, first of all, I applaud you for including your pet in your estate planning.
Second, keep in mind, that a will only becomes operative and effective when you die.
It can direct who will take care of your pets and how those tasks will be completed only after your death.
A valid Trust can provide for immediate care of Derron in the event that there is an emergency and you become ill or incapacitated.
You can nominate alternate caregivers for your pet and establish methods to fund and pay for the Trust.
A provision for your pet in your will is a good start; now begin the New Year with some planning and thoughts for a Pet Trust.
Seperate the Caregiver and the Trustee in Your Pet Trust
I want to appoint my accountant as the Trustee for my Pet Trust because she has a full background and understanding of my financial condition. However, the accountant insists that she should also be the caregiver for Moxy, my terrier, so that she can combine duties to save time. Is this a good idea?
Rex Lavergne, Tennessee
The animal caregiver, custodian or guardian is an important component in the Pet Trust.
Usually a family member or close friend is appointed to this position. Someone who knows and cares for the pet. Perhaps, someone who has a history with your animal.
Professor Gerry W. Beyer has taken this position on the appointment of the Trustee as the caregiver. In 2008, he wrote:
"This is the most important decision because this person will provide the pet’s care. The pet, the prospective caregiver, and the caregiver’s family (human and nonhuman) should make sure they get along. It is important to name alternates in case the designated person is unable to care for the pet. The trustee may be given the ability to select a good home for the pet if none of the named beneficiaries can care for the animal. But the trustee must not be permitted to appoint him- or herself, as this would eliminate the checks-and-balances aspect of separating the caregiver from the money provider."
Heed the words of the experts in this field.
Separate the powers, duties and appointment of the caregiver and the Trustee in your pet trust.
