Setting up a trust for pets. I have no family/friends.

[SimchaJ]

Hi all,
I am preparing to cross the Rainbow Bridge and wanted to see if anyone here has experience with setting up a trust for my dog and cat, so that they will be well cared for after my death.

Thanks in advance-

 

[John-LW]

Friends and family would be your best bet. They don't need to be cared for, they need to be loved and cherished.

I'm fortunate in that my cats are being taken away from me by my wife.

 

[SimchaJ]

I don't really have family or friends.

Any advice for someone in my position would be well appreciated.

 

[Julgran]

Hi all,
I am preparing to cross the Rainbow Bridge and wanted to see if anyone here has experience with setting up a trust for my dog and cat, so that they will be well cared for after my death.

Thanks in advance-

Couldn't it be possible to give your dog and cat to an animal shelter - or is that what the trust is for..? I'm not really sure how that works, but it's really considerate of you to think about your fellow pets

I also hope that you yourself find peace eventually, if you do decide to cross that bridge.

 

[Jimblue]

May be to see if anyone want to adopt them? Or is there any rescue centre in your country?

 

[SimchaJ]

I have plenty of money for their care, I would rather not subject them to an animal shelter where they would be split up and have to live in small cages and suffer. Both are older and wouldn't be adopted. My dog has moderate hip dysplasia and no one would adopt her with this condition.

Now that I am thinking this through, perhaps I should have them put to sleep before I die. They are both older.

 

[Lost Magic]

Setup a will

Here is what I found out.
Legally, you can't leave money to your pet(s) as they're viewed as "chattels" (property) under the law. Instead you have to leave money directly to the friend or relative who will inherit your pet when you die. This normally entails setting up a trust for the benefit of the pet from which the caregiver can withdraw funds for their care.

If you don't know anyone who would be willing to look after your pet, you can leave it to a charity. Several charities, including Blue Cross, RSPCA and World Horse Welfare will take pets left to them in a Will. Make sure you include details of any arrangements in your Will.

source of info: https://www.legalwills.co.uk/blog/who-will-take-care-of-your-pets/

 

[SimchaJ]

Thanks you Lost Magic for this info.

 

[Lost Magic]

Thanks you Lost Magic for this info.

your welcome. I just hope it helps!

 

[nopride86]

I believe there are some geriatric care rescues but it depends on where you live. There's a chance of them being split up though due to being different species (such as, the rescue may only take dogs but no cats).

Given their age, and just the state of animal services, I would absolutely not send them to the shelter. It is terrifying and upsetting for them and they most likely will be put down after a short stay due to kennel shortages.

I've thought about this too, with my older dog who has health issues. Luckily I know people who could keep him, but if I didn't I would give money along with my dog to a well known geriatric dog rescue prior to my death, to make sure he was in a good place. Maybe I'd say that he belonged to a family member who passed, so they don't just think I'm dumping my dog on them. Idk. I've also thought about euthanizing but he has a lot of life left in him at this time so I won't go that route yet.

 

[makethepainstop]

Thank you for thinking of your pets. That is extraordinary good of you. Your a good soul.