Do your pets have an alternate caregiver? Important, pls read.

16 years ago

The other day there was a man on the local TV news. He appeared to be in his 50's and lived alone. He talked about how he had suffered from a heart attack and had to go to the hospital and stay there for a while.

While he was there, he was persuaded by hospital staff to sign over his two dogs (lab type dogs) over to county animal shelter. He was out of it when he signed the papers but by doing so, he agreed to small print legalese that said if the dogs were not picked up in 30 days or if the shelter was overcrowded then they would be put to sleep.

Apparently after 4 days the dogs were put to sleep by mistake, much to everyone's horror. The spokesperson for the shelter was interviewed briefly and said something to the effect of "sorry but these things happen".

So here this poor guy comes out of the hospital and is left with nothing.

I know nobody wants to think about this happening to them but... If you live alone, or even if you don't, set aside some time this week to put together a little notebook with care instructions and find a friend or family member who will take your pets during emergencies like this. Be sure to include where your pets food is stored, where their crates are if applicable and any other toys, meds or must-haves. Then put this information somewhere easy to find and put a note in your wallet or pocketbook that says what to do with your pets during an emergency like this.

If nobody in your area can do it, now is the time to contact vet clinics with boarding or some other reputable boarding facility and discuss making these arrangements with them in advance. Other ideas would be to contact your breed's rescue coordinator for your area or a trustworthy rescue foster home.

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Comments (10)

klimkm
16 years ago
Great idea! This is horrible, and I can't imagine having this happen to you. What dopey hospital staff!
Elly_NJ
16 years ago
Thanks, QQ. Good advice.
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katyroadpink
16 years ago
That's so sad for that man. He must be devastated.

Quirky, you bring up a great point. I'm sure I could rely on my friends to take care of my pets for a few days, but I've never put anything in writing or made arrangements for longer periods.
JerriEllijay
16 years ago
An absolutely GREAT suggestion and we will put it to gether now. Another thought, don't forget to think about your pets if you were to die. We have dear friends that have agreed to take our brood, and we will take theirs in the event of death. Work this out beforehand, put it in your will and give someone immediate instructions until the will is read.
quirkyquercus
Original Author
16 years ago
I've been working on my emergency pet care notebook today. Why don't we have a contest to see who can make the most creative emergency pet care notebook or at least just share with one another what we've come up with?

It's very hard to write these things without tearing up. I've begun writing mine to work in the event I die or hospitalization.
petaloid
16 years ago
What a good idea.
quasifish
16 years ago
That's a terrible story. It just breaks your heart :(

DH and I recently wrote wills and the care of our animals was one thing that has really bothered me. We don't want to go to the trouble and expense of setting up a trust for our animals, and decided it wasn't necessary. Instead I spoke with my mother about caring for the animals (only cats now) if something were to happen to us. I trust that she would step in and make sure they were cared for if a temporary or permanent event occurred.

We also decided to set up a money market account as "POD-payable on death" directly to my mother. Since all our assets would otherwise be held in trust for our DD if something were to happen to both of us, this allowed us to set aside some money for the care/re-homing of our cats that would pass outside the will, should something happen to us. Again, I trust my mother to do the right thing for the kitties in that unlikely event and having that money set aside and available directly to her gives me a lot of peace.

Q
quirkyquercus
Original Author
16 years ago
Just a reminder.
Now is a good time
to get set up your
emergency care plans.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
I have told all my friends and family that if anything were to happen to dh and I simultaneously (death), our two dogs are to be put down right away. Everybody understands. My two dogs are pampered, watched over and loved so much that anything less would be cruel at this point in their lives.
We are going away for approx. 36 hours tomorrow and although I have a sitter coming in to take care of them and my Dad who lives with us, I still feel like I don't want to leave them!
puc13
16 years ago
Definitely a good idea.

Bumblebeez, that is our directive as well for our feline-boys, quality not quantity.

Do your pets have an alternate caregiver? Important, pls read.

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klimkm

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Do your pets have an alternate caregiver? Important, pls read.

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