Lifetime Care Planning for Pets

Category: Cat Care, Dog Care | Tags:

Date: November 14th, 2011

If you find it hard to think about life without your pet, imagine your pet’s life without you!  According to the ASPCA, there are hundreds of thousands of pets in the US that are surrendered to animal shelters every year due to the death or disability of their human caregivers.  “Orphaned” pets do not adjust well to the shelter experience and they are often labeled as “unadoptable.”  Sadly, many healthy, adoptable pets are euthanized simply because their owners did not plan for their continuous care.

To ensure that your pets continue to receive the care they need and deserve, you should plan for the following three things:

(1) Identify committed caregivers who can care for your pets.

(2) Maintain written instructions.

(3) Set up a finance plan or set aside funds for the continued care of your pets.

Back to (1): Identifying a caregiver….

Don’t leave this decision up to strangers; you know your pets the best.  If you don’t have anyone to designate as a caregiver, then discuss the situation with your vet, pet sitters and local animal welfare organizations.  They may be able to help you find the right people that are capable of caring for your pets should you no longer be able to.  You can also consider appointing several individuals, such as vets, family members, pet sitters and friends to an animal care panel, that would be charged with the responsibility of locating a suitable caregiver.  That panel can use various mean of locating a proper caregiver such as advertising in a local newspaper and consulting with local animal welfare organizations.

Another option is a lifetime care program or facility, a viable alternative for pet owners who may not have a potential caregiver to leave their pets to.  Some questions to ask the facility:

1) How long has the program existed?

2) How is it funded?

3) What happens to the pets if the program is unable to continue?

4) What is the experience of the employees?

5) What is the financial commitment required?

6) What is their capacity for pets?

7) What type of space do the pets have?

8) Do they have references?

9) What level of vet care is provided?

10) Are pets adopted out or do they remain at the facility permanently?

11) What is your policy about returning adopted out pets?

12) What type of food?

13) What kind of exercise?

14) Does the program accept pets regardless of age and medical conditions?