As I grew older, I started thinking that I would like to have my beloved Beagle placed with caring people in case he outlived me. After a considerable amount of research, I discovered a way to do this which would gave me peace of mind.. I found an online source for preparing a trust for my Beagle which involved a very reasonable fee. Then I found a shelter that specializes in older dogs and dogs that have health problems. They gladly accepted the trust and funding is not required until it is needed. The trust I set up calls for the shelter to assume caring for you pet when, for any reason, I can no longer take care of him.. In my circumstances, I found this to be exactly what I wanted.
A sad topic, but well done John, this is something that we have been wrestling with too. The Dogs Trust have a similar scheme here in the UK; if you make a bequest in your will, they provide a wallet card which you carry, so they can be contacted immediately in case of emergency. Also, we are lucky in that Beagle Welfare is such a good organisation, I know the hounds there have lovely lives - and will receive care and companionship for as long as it takes. I do not really want to leave any dogs behind when I go, but whilst I am training and involved with show people, I know there would be friends or club members who would carry out my wishes. What does worry me though, is that if I became too ill to carry on with doggy activities - how many of these people would know whether my dogs needed help, - or even what was in my will? I suppose we just have to let as many people as possible know what we would like to happen - and trust that our wishes will be carried out.
Im very wary of these schemes and personally wouldn’t trust them. Please check carefully for any ‘Get-out Clause’ like (Will do all we can" and "we'll try our very best" ect) The RS#CA states they can pts the pet if it`s in the pet`s interests. Like if it`s old - has Health problems -or they haven’t got a suitable home for it, or any kennel space ‘unsound or aggressive temperament’ and have admitted to putting down 17.2%, of the animals taken in as part of its Home for Life service.
Gosh, that does sound a high percentage, Vee, though I seem to remember there was a news item about a cat which was pts - even though it had come to them with a bequest of something like £10,000. I suppose old people do tend to have old pets, and maybe some of them are too infirm to rehome happily, but it does make you wonder what their priorities are.
If my kids want the house the dogs are in residence and come with it. I've already discussed it with my kids they love the dogs and would happily take them on, with or without the house.
You are exactly right to be wary in setting up a trust for your dog. I was at ease only because I had known some of the shelter's people for years and am in communication with them almost daily. This particular shelter is highly respected in its community and has several events per year which are attended by the public. Even if you find one you can be comfortable with, do not let them write the trust. The online service or a personal attorney will write the trust so that your instructions must be followed exactly as directed by the trust. Of course, a family member is first consideration but was not available in my case. (The Trust should be written so as to encompass any dog you may have in the future)
Yes, I'm getting on in years now, I just didn't feel comfortable about what would happen to Pikey if I got sick and disabled or if I passed on. One scenario is having to call 911 and ending up in the hospital. In this event, the local Police Dept. would take custody of Pikey and the shelter would pick him up and bring him to their facility.
