BE PREPARED--PLAN AHEAD!
Margaret DiCorleto, AKC Delegate for the Chow Chow Club
All Breed Clubs Committee
No one wants to think about getting old or sick, but as responsible dog owners, we must think about what would happen to our dogs if we became incapacitated or died. Everyone should have a written plan for the care for their dogs in the event of an accident, illness, or death. Share this plan with the significant people in your life! Every day we hear about dogs that end up homeless or confiscated because the owner couldn’t care for them. Do not assume that family members will be willing or able to take on the responsibility of caring for your beloved pets!
Plan Ahead
Regardless of your health today, have a plan for your dogs in the event of temporary or permanent disability or death. The best way to do this is with an attorney familiar with these issues, but even an online Power of Attorney form, properly witnessed, is better than nothing. Post Emergency Care and contact instructions in an easily found location in your home or kennel. Authorize AKC registration/ownership to be made on your behalf if you are incapacitated or dead.
When preparing an estate plan, pet owners often fail to include provisions that provide for their pet's care upon the owner's death. Pets surrendered to shelters due to the declining health or death of a caretaker can often be avoided had the pet owner asked their attorney to prepare a pet trust.
Including Your Pet in Your Will
Once you have selected a caregiver for your pets, finalize the arrangement and include it in your will. This ensures that you are leaving formal instructions for who will take custody of the animals after your passing. You may also want to discuss setting up a trust with your attorney. This way you can leave behind funds for the caregiver to help cover the financial costs of caring for your pets.
If the court does not appoint an Executor of your estate, the next of kin will be the executor of the estate. A “Statement of Legal Rights” form (available under AKC Downloadable forms) signed by the next of kin and notarized will be required for the next of kin to be able to sign for the deceased. Upon submission of the form, he/she may sign for the deceased on AKC papers.
What if Dogs Need Placement?
Time is of the essence if you die! Establish and confirm who should be contacted if your dogs would need immediate care. If necessary, identify a breed rescue and provide contact information if you do not have family, friends or club members who would help. Make sure that health records are available for those assuming care of your dogs. All dogs should be microchipped for identification purposes.
Your designated caregiver should be trustworthy, responsible, and be able to provide a safe environment. Consider selecting a backup caregiver as well. Life can be unpredictable and the original caregiver’s circumstances might change and become unable to care for your pet(s).
The responsible individuals should have:
1) keys to the home and kennel where the dogs are housed
2) your veterinarian’s contact information, and information provided by you regarding permanent care of the animals.
Make sure neighbors, friends, and relatives know the names and contact numbers of the individuals who have agreed to be emergency custodians. Emergency custodians should also know how to contact each other.
Post “In Case of Emergency” signs or window clings on doors or windows with the number and type of animals inside. These signs will alert emergency responders during a fire or other emergency.
Inside the home and any kennel building
Post a listing of the emergency contacts. Inside the home attach a pet emergency packet to the refrigerator, or other prominent location. A copy of a Pet Care Durable Power of Attorney and/or Pet Trust document (if in place) should be included.
Summary:
As difficult as it may be to think about, there’s a chance your dogs might outlive you or you die unexpectedly. What happens to pets when their owners die and there is no plan in place? Thousands of pets are placed in animal shelters every year when their owner passes away. It is estimated that the exact number is between 100,000 and 500,000 animals per year. Of those, roughly 60 percent end up being euthanized when an adequate home cannot be found. Is that the outcome you want for your dogs?
Please plan ahead.
AKC has a form “In Case of an Emergency” (https://images.akc.org/pdf/public_education/emergency_info.pdf)
Print one out for each of your dogs and post.
* For breeders who have stored frozen semen, include information about care and/or transfer of ownership in your will and in your emergency contact packet. There is an AKC “Transfer of Ownership of Frozen Semen” form at AKC Downloadable forms. You may also want to consider the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.
There are three forms on the PPB Bequests page which may be of interest for those planning dispositions in their estate or other bequests. They are on the akcppb.org website. https://akcppb.org/bequests/
** Please note: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should always consult with a qualified attorney regarding any legal matter.
Below is a link to our Best Practices for At Risk situations. This applies to clubs and how they can be helpful to individuals who may be in need.
Best Practices for At Risk Situations.docx
12/2024
