Monday, November 23, 2009
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Living alone, dog will need to be rescued if something happens to me
I live alone and have no family to rely on. How can I make arrangements, and with whom, to take care of my dog, permanently in case I die, or temporarily if I become hospitalized or incapacitated? Are there organizations that give this kind of help? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. There must be many others in the same situation. Naturally, I expect to pay for such a service. I've never given thought to this before, but I woke up with a start at 3:00 A.M. thinking of Max and what would happen to him. He's an eight-year-old Lab mix, the world's best dog!
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Post a commentHi, I don't have the answer to your question, but I wanted to applaud you for thinking ahead about your dog's welfare. I suspect you could set up a financial trust to provide for his care, but the question would be to whom would the money be assigned. Possibly a close friend could be in charge of selecting/recruiting the caregiver and the money in the trust would provide for vet bills, etc. Another idea would be to discuss this with your veterinarian and see what they suggest.
Hi,
Max and I thank you for your suggestions and encouragement.
See him at http://bad.bounder.fleetwood.net/max.htm
Different states have different laws on pet trusts. I have a pet trust set up in Michigan. It is well funded and has lots of specifications about how to take care of my dogs. There is a trustee and a substitute trustee if something happens to the trustee. Michigan law makes it clear the trust is enforceable. I will probably outlive my dogs, but you can't be too careful. They have a deep emotional life, lots of routines and habits, and the same rights to dignity that my husband and I accord to one another. It is my job to protect as much of that sense of security and home that they have as is possible within the limitations of human mortality. When I get older, I will at some point conclude I should not have a new dog, or, if I do, it should be an older dog that I rescue from a shelter. Humans must take on a trust relationship with their dog family members.
Look into the North Shore Animal League.
For a lumps sum ($10,000) they will care for your pets after you're gone.
http://www.nsalamerica.org/how_we_help/surviving_p...
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