If you pass away, who gets your pets?

@breepeace (3014)
Canada
September 8, 2007 11:13pm CST
I know lots of people have wills, or they've made agreements with family members in regards to their final resting place, financial obligations, or children, but who actually makes provisions for their pets if the unthinkable happens? I know of so many pets that ended up getting relinquished to the humane society, rescue organizations or a friendly neighbour who is helping look for a new home for them because of an unexpected death, and I would never want my pets in that situation. I also know of pets who were supposed to go to children or a family member who actually didn't want the burden, so I think it's expecially important to make sure the person you give guardianship to doesn't take the responsibility of care of your best friend lightly after you're no longer around. Parrots are famous for outliving their masters and recently my boyfriend has been corresponding with a parrot rescue that has 2 fosters right now that were both turned over to the society after their masters passed on. Both were given to the society by a family member of the departed after they discovered parrots aren't as low maintenance as other domestic birds. They're in a good place now, and in capable hands, but I still can't believe their former owners wouldn't take into consideration what a responsibility an unexpected pet is to a mourning family member. Have you ever thought about where your animals would go if you passed away and your partner or kids couldn't take them? My boyfriend and my cat, Onye, share a stronger bond than even the little brat and I share, and since we've been friends for almost 8 years, I can't think of anyone I'd want more to take care of her than him. He's happy to take over that responsibility since he adores her and vice versa, and that makes me happy. My dog goes back to my mom, who is her breeder, and mom will allow her to live out her life there, in the event of my passing. Since she's been in the dog world, breeding, showing and training for almost 18 years now, I know that Summer wouldn't be a big burden for her. So what about you? No one likes to think about it, but it's an inevitability we all face. I even hear of lots of people setting up trusts for the care of their animals. Would you ever do that?
5 people like this
6 responses
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
10 Sep 07
I honestly don't know what will happen to my fur babies because I dote on them all of the time and I don't know of anyone who would do the same for them. All they know is love and understanding and that's what they should get if and when I do pass and they're still around. I'm sure my husband would take care of them but I also know he doesn't dote on them like I do. He'll pet and love them but not like I do. My mom doesn't either. She loves her fur babies but doesn't dote on them a whole lot so I'm at a loss at what to do. It freaks me out to even consider that but I know I should and I have but I don't know what to do. I'd like to leave a trust fund in their care but what would be enough? Would the money be spent correctly? And still, would they all get the love and attention that I've given them all of their lives? It's so hard to say.
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
9 Sep 07
Very interesting and worthwhile discussion. Thanks for it. have 6 cats - they are my "babies" - and I have made very adequate prvidion for them. Obviously in the first instance, they would be with my partner, with whom I live, and who I know is as devoted to them as me, and would always watch over them. In the eventuality that he and I went together (in an accident for example), then my best friend from schooldays has promised that she would take them all, and care for then, and never split them up. She always comes to live in our house to care for them when we're on holiday, so I know they love her and she can be trusted. And if anything should happen to her before either of us, then there is a charity here in England who pledge to look after pets in these circumstances, and it is in my WIll, that they would look after my babies in one of their homes, and keep them together.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
9 Sep 07
If something happens to just me, of course my husband would keep my girls. If something were to happen to my husband and I at the same time, my sister gets our human child(ren) plus the dogs. She doesn't like cats, so my in-laws would get our cat. We've already talked to my sister about it. Obviously we had a serious discussion about it, since she would be responsible for our little boy. She understands that he is super close to our pets, and she wouldn't have a problem taking them in, too. They both get along well with her dog. And her and her husband both like my dogs. We haven't really discussed it with my in-laws, but they love cats, and specifically my cat. She stays with them when we go home (we take our pets everywhere, but my parents don't let our cat stay at their house). I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have any problems taking her in.
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
9 Sep 07
I would give my pet to any of my close friends that already have pets. We can't afford to have more than one pet right now, so it will be nice for my pet to live with people who love pets and happen to have pets in the house so she won't be lonely
1 person likes this
@khithi17 (762)
• Philippines
13 Sep 07
i think im going to give my pet to my boyfriend, if ever im dying.lol. cause he really love them and he is responsible enough to take care of them. also because we both own them. it's like their our babies. nobody cares for our dogs more than he does.
• United States
9 Sep 07
MICHAEL VICK! So, do not die!