Preventing indeterminate futures

The police arrive at 12 Main Street for a well-being check of a 55-year old woman whose employer reports has not shown up to work for two days. When police enter the home, they find the woman deceased, her 6 year old Labrador Retriever and her 4 year old Boxer, unrelentingly pacing in the kitchen, determined to show police their empty bowls of food. The Medical Examiner verifies that the victim has been deceased for about four days. Animal Control is called to take temporary custody of the dogs, until the deceased woman’s family is contacted.

 

As a returned phone call is made to the victim’s employer, advising him of the finding, police learn that the deceased victim has no known family members or friends. A thorough follow-up by authorities confirms these results.

 

The lab and the boxer (whose names remain unknown) continued to stay at the shelter until each was adopted…at different times… into different families – and with different names.

 

These dogs were the fortunate ones. Scores of unwanted pets are euthanized every single day in animal shelters all across the country.

 

Each year countless pets, with indeterminate futures, wind up in animal shelters after their owners pass away, because no prior arrangements were made for the animal’s care, in the event that something should unexpectedly happen to their owner, or in their owners natural passing.

 

Most people (young, healthy, or elderly, or sick) don’t even realize that they haven’t stopped to consider what would happen to their pets in the event that they were suddenly unable to care for them or if by unprecedented chance their pet should outlive them.

 

Perhaps by drawing attention to this now, many pet owners can take protective measures to ensure that a plan is in place, so that pets who have already suffered the great loss of their owners, can be assured a new, warm, loving home – and possible retention with their pet mate.

 

Of course, lawyers can draw up personal Wills, which may include custody arrangements for pets. But, there is something that you can do now -- just to protect your pet(s).

 

ItsMyLife.com is a service that allows you to ‘make personal documents to protect you and your loved ones’. One of their featured services, ‘Pets Letters of Wishes’, is free, through February 14, 2009.

 

Don’t let what happened to the dogs above happen to your pet(s). And tell anyone you know, to consider making these arrangements now. You will feel better having peace of mind that your loyal, loving pet(s), will be well-taken care of, if…even…in the absence of you.