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Have You Included Your Dog in Your Will?

Posted by Clare Bristow

The news that Leona Helmsley left US$12 million to her Maltese Terrier, Trouble, started me thinking about the lack of any provision I have made for my dogs.

I've always assumed that I would outlive Zoe and Fritz, and if I didn't my partner would take care of them. However, I haven't given much thought to who'd care for them if they were left on their own.

It seems that a growing number of people are establishing trust funds, or making provision in their wills for the care of their dogs after they die.

Sarah Amundson, a director of legislative affairs at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has stated that "As a nation, we still euthanize 4 to 6 million cats and dogs every year, and a good number of those are pets left without care when their owners die." That's quite a sobering thought isn't it?

The HSUS has produced a free information kit on providing for your pet's future without you, and which includes the following advice:

• Nominate at least one emergency caregiver who will look after your dog until the long care provision you have organized for your dog can be implemented. Make sure friends and/or family are aware of who the emergency caregiver is, and add their name and contact details to your list of 'in case of and emergency' names.
• Decide how you'd like your dog to be cared for - by a friend, family member, rescue organization etc. Make sure that the person you are asking fully understands what will be required of them, you trust them to look after your dog as you'd like them to, and that they genuinely want to care for your dog and aren't just agreeing to it to keep you happy.
• Decide on how much money you will leave/are able to leave to your dog - are you able to pay your dog's caregiver and provide for food and other living expenses including veterinary bills? How would you like any bequest to be spent?
• Discuss with your lawyer whether setting up a trust for your dog might be better than making a provision in your will; the laws governing the setting up and running of trusts, and the validity of making a large provision in your will for the care of your dog, vary depending on where you live, so it's recommended you take legal advice on this.

No one loves our dogs like we do. If we don't make our wishes clear, the most likely consequence is that our dogs will be taken to the local dog shelter - what would be their chances of finding a good home do you think?

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