Preparing for the Unexpected: Ink's Story and the Importance of Planning for Those Who Depend on Us

 

Preparing for the Unexpected: Ink's Story and the Importance of Planning for Those Who Depend on Us

Ink was a loyal companion, his every wag a testament to the bond he shared with his owner.  But when tragedy struck, his unwavering love led him to take a dangerous leap—literally.

    “This can’t be happening: that’s my dog, my companion, my best

 friend…”

    “No … he’s hungry. He’s desperately pacing... Ink, don’t do it,

 wait!”

    Ink took a flying leap through the closed front window of his

 1940's-built one-story home in Louisville, Ky. He’s a big, strong dog

 so he survived, and fortunately only a few scars on his arms and legs

 remain testament to his misadventure.

    Ink couldn’t hear nor heed his owner’s warning and dismay—

because she was already dead. Ink was alone in his home for days

 when hunger finally gave way to his brave yet risky escape.

    Ink's story is a stark reminder of the risks our pets face when we

 have no way to alert others in case of a sudden disability or death—

and how deeply their well-being depends on us.

    To ensure your pets never face a situation like Ink's, consider

 this simple yet crucial 2-step approach: 

First, if you live alone, establish a reliable and consistent way to

 notify someone in case of an emergency or unexpected passing. 

Second, make sure your will or trust is up to date, easy to locate,

 and explicitly includes plans for your pets' care.

    Let’s take a closer look at each part of this two-step approach,

 starting with the importance of establishing a reliable notification

 system: several medical alert devices are now available on the

 market, offering features like GPS tracking, wall-mounted buttons,

 wearable technology, Wi-Fi or landline compatibility, and even

 multilingual support to notify caregivers of an emergency. Most of

 these devices provide a free trial period and cost less than $30 per

 month, making them an affordable option.

    Alternatively, a simple, low-tech approach can work just as well.

 For years, 92-year-old Margaret relied on a tried-and-true system

 before her middle daughter, Joan, moved in with her: “My neighbors

 knew that if I didn’t open the side living room window shade about a

 quarter of the way by noon each day, something was wrong. That

 would signal them, a married couple, to check on me.”

    This straightforward system is not only tested and reliable but can

 often be more effective than electronic devices, which do not detect

 death.

     While including pets in life and death plans may seem

 daunting at first, it's become increasingly manageable

 thanks to organizations dedicated to this

 specific mission, and to pet-loving estate planning attorneys. 

    “Most people reach out about pets after the death of an owner, and

 there’s rarely anything in the estate plans concerning their care,”

 shares Jessica Pita, owner of The Paw and Feather Plan Inc, a rescue

 dedicated to pets in planning. “We step in as often as possible,

 regardless of whether pets are included in a plan... as was the case

 with Ink, we immediately took him in when an estate planning

 attorney friend called and let us know about him- we literally

 stopped him on his way to the shelter. However, the only real

 guarantee someone will show up to care for your pet after you pass

 is by putting him or her in those critical legal documents…

 remember, your pets cannot advocate for themselves, so you must be

 their voice,” adds Jessica.

    An estate planning attorney that understands and values the bond

 between pet owners and their pets can guide you in adding your pets

 to your will. For individuals with multiple pets or those seeking a

 more personalized approach, such as arranging for a live-in

 caregiver after their passing, a pet trust offers a more comprehensive

 solution.

Ink pictured here in foster care with Jessica Pita, owner of Paw and Feather Plan Inc

    

      Frances Carlisle, a now-retired estate planning attorney, was

 instrumental in drafting New York's pet trust statute, paving the way

 for all states to adopt similar legislation. -These statutes allow for

 the creation of trusts to ensure the care of pets after their owners

 pass away. One of Ms. Carlisle's clients, for instance, arranged for

 her

 cats to live out their lives in a cat sanctuary dedicated to providing

 excellent care. While this is one option, it is more common for a

 trust to designate a trusted friend or relative as the pets' caretaker,

 including specific instructions for their care and allocated funds to

 cover associated expenses.

    Some attorneys specialize in estate planning for pets, such as

 Peggy Hoyt of Animal Care Trust USA. Peggy is also the author of

 the book “All My Children Wear Fur Coats,” which provides

 guidance on ensuring pets are cared for after their owner’s passing.

    When it comes to the cost of paying an organization or individual

 to take in pets, "That’s largely up to the pet owner’s discretion,"

 explains Jessica of Paw and Feather Plan. "We trust that pet owners

 who take the initiative to include pets in planning will make

 thoughtful decisions to ensure the well-being of their pets, as well as

 the rescues or caregivers entrusted with their care."

    And as for Ink, he’s deeply grateful Paw and Feather Plan had

 the space to take him in during his time of need, along with the time

 and expertise to find him a loving home—even though his owner

 didn’t have a will.

Ink's big adoption day, circa 2021

Ink pictured in his forever home