Do You Have Language For A Pet Living Will?
I have read before about your thoughts on a living will for pets. If I have one prepared for my cat, Mrs. Longbeard ( a long story) do you have any suggested language.
Donna Sue Batesville, Indiana
Donna, obviously you are going to have your attorney prepared this document and he or she will have the necessary knowledge for a living will.
However, in general terms, language such as this should suffice:
...Representative is to provide any needed reasonable veterinary care that my animal may need at that time to restore the animal to generally good health and to alleviate suffering, if possible. Any animal(s) not in generally good health or who is so suffering—and whose care is beyond the capabilities of veterinary medicine, reasonably employed, to restore to generally good health or to alleviate suffering—shall be euthanized, cremated, and the ashes disposed of at the discretion of…
I hope that you will not need to use this document for many years to come.
What Happens if My Pet Trust Runs Out of Money?
What happens if I set up a pet trust and the trust runs out of property before my parrot, Pedro dies?
Pepe Estero, Florida
Pepe, if there is no money, assets or property remaining in the trust, obviously the trustee will not be able to pay for Pedro’s care. The trustee is not responsible and not likely to pay for Pedro out of his or her own pocket.
Depending upon the circumstances and the relationship involved, the caregiver may continue to pay for Pedro' care with his or her own funds.
In case the caregiver is unwilling or unable to do so, you should have a clause in your pet trust that states the name of the person or organization to which you would like to donate your pet.
The last thing that you would want, is that for lack of proper planning, Pedro ends up in a shelter where he might be euthanized.
Want to Help The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros?
In 1971, Congress passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
This strangely named legislation was enacted to:
"require the protection, management, and control of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress finds and declares that wild free-roaming horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene. It is the policy of Congress that wild free-roaming horses and burros shall be protected from capture, branding, harassment, or death; and to accomplish this they are to be considered in the area where presently found, as an integral part of the natural system of the public lands."
Now, according to the ASPCA. a proposed major change will potentially be devastating .
“The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is the agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior that administers America's public lands, including the animals who call this land home.
As part of its wild horse management program, the BLM has spent the past several years rounding up wild horses and keeping them in private, long-term holding facilities—which is expensive. Now, the agency wants to euthanize thousands of healthy horses, claiming it is too costly to feed and care for them. The ASPCA encourages the BLM to explore other solutions, including but not limited to reopening additional land for the horses and increasing certain contraception programs that have already proven safe and effective.
For more information and possible course of action you may visit their website at ASPCA.
