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We're talking about my pet here and I don't even know you. How can I trust you?

I've been working in animal rescue, beginning as a volunteer, since 2006. That's 18 years of experience working with pets.  -This is one of my life's callings.

"Bequeath" means to leave something to someone in a will.

With a pet plan you'd bequeath your pet(s) to The Paw and Feather Plan, and pay nothing up front.

Your probate or estate planning attorney works out those financial end-of-life planning details with you.

A probate attorney could also assist in creating a pet trust for your pet. 

Property, investment accounts, annuities, life insurance policies are all options you may have to be able to designate 'after death provisions' to assure care for your pets (you don't need 'all' of these, just one of these should more-than-suffice!). 

 

This sounds like a great idea and all but I don't have money to spend on making a plan for my pet for when I die.

Great question!

Some no-kill pet shelters do offer this service: you agree to leave them x amount of money and they agree to take in your pet when you die, and find it a loving home ( known as adoption-guarantee-intake).  This arrangement is often referred to as 'legacy membership.' 

However, when your pet's surrendered to a shelter, it will almost definitely be placed in a cage or kennel, at least temporarily. If it stays for any amount of time, it will be lucky to get out and/or be socialized 3 times/daily.

Being surrendered to a shelter, even the best of shelters, is extremely traumatic for a pet (I've worked in 2 of them and am still an active shelter volunteer).

PAFP is different since one of the primary reasons we exist is to keep pets out of shelters and cages, and in loving homes. With our pet plans, your pet will be picked up within 24 hours' notice of its greatest time of need, and taken immediately into a vetted foster home, or potentially straight into its permanent adopter's home... or potentially it will live out the remainder of its life in your home with a designated caregiver, if that's what you have specified in death docs. 

 

How is this different from leaving a legacy gift to a no-kill-pet-shelter in exchange for a guarantee my pet will be adopted out by that shelter?

 

I or someone I know is very ill and can no longer care for his pet. We may need someone temporarily or permanently to take in the pet. Does your business help with that too?

Yes. The Paw and Feather Plans deals well with uncertainty.

As a veteran pet foster caregiver and pet sitter, I'm comfortable having a pet in our home for a set time, then giving it back to the owner- or finding it a permanent home if need be.

Although this would be treated as a pet sitting service (different from the 'plans' we offer), provided the owner would one day take the pet back. -Contingent on availability at any given time. -See services page please. 

 

I get all of this, kind of, but if something happens​ to me... who will get my pet? You or someone else?

I personally will show up when needed and take your pet with me to my home (unless we have other arrangements set up in advance for your pet).  

I personally will foster and place your pet in a loving, vetted home.

If you live out of state from me at the time of your death or illness, that's o.k. too. -I love to travel, and have dedicated fosters scattered around. 'Networking' is one of my greatest strengths. 

Let's talk :)

 

I'm considering a pet trust for​ my pet. Does the Paw and Feather Plan work with trusts?

Yes. Trusts can be a great option for those that want to create a more detailed plan for their pets, and have more longtime oversight in place. Unlike wills, trusts can go into effect while you're still living (if you were to fall very ill or disabled).  -We do have our first 'pet trust client' as of summer 2023. An estate planning attorney would need to help establish a pet trust; I'd be happy to recommend one as needed. 

 

I'd like to include my pet in my will but, I'm younger than you. So... what if I'm around longer than you?!

Good point! This is a family business. My 10 year old son is already a great dog, cat and bird handler. He loves helping out with all our foster and pet sitting guests. -He will inherit this business. 

I also have foster parent and boarding team members in a few states across the country that are younger than me. 

This service, this business, is meant to last for generations to come, for whoever needs it.  -We're in it for the long haul. 

Website Last Updated by Jessica on 09/20/2024

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