“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.
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| 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.
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| Ink's big adoption day, circa 2021 |
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| Ink pictured in his forever home |
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