I know this is a weird thing to think about, but as my mom pointed out the other day, it's something that we should plan for. She and I are constantly traveling together, and what happens if we should be killed? Who would take care of our furcats and puppy?

Do any of you have plans? We have two cats that we would want put down if we were gone... they require hand feeding because their teeth are bad. Every single little bite has to be torn so they can just swallow it... we buy deli turkey for them. I can't imagine we could ever find them a home where the person would be willing (or available, these two are time consuming) to give them such intensive care. I'd rather know they were peacefully sleeping then living somewhere that they were hungry and alone.

I think we may start a cat savings account... goal would be to get $500.00 or so for each cat. This would cover their care, should they have to go to a new home. I guess we'd also have to find someone to help our babies find new homes, but certainly I don't want them to go to a shelter and live in a cage, afraid and alone.

You know, there should be a pet network where people like us... and take that as a great compliment, because I think we are in the minority with how much we love our babies... where we could sign up to be foster parents and leave information about the pets that may some day need to be adopted.

Does this exist? Are any of you interested? I think I'd be willing to front the money for domain registration if we could find someone who could code the board... maybe link it to LS in some way?

It breaks my heart to think that any of our kids would ever have to leave the farm... worse yet to think that they might not be loved enough. And wow, I know I'll have cats around me until the day I die.

On the sight, in order to be an adoptee, I suppose there will be some sort of registration process. There's got to be some way to make it safe so our pets won't go into unhealthy homes. If this idea flies, I suppose there will eventually be regional "supervisors" or something that can go and check out prospective homes.

What do you all think? Any better ideas out there?

Thanks for your input!

Kate

hi Kate, I believe there are many places that offer home care until your pets can be adopted to a good family, even your special needs pets. I have always thought about this, and my idea was to put my old cats down and cremated and buried with me. All of my babies are oldies, but I just couldn't imagine the teenagers that still have a lot of life in them being put down because of my fears. most animals adapt easily and if you find or create a place for loving and caring pet adoptions all of your fur babies as well as many others will do great. I intend to include instructions for my pets in my living will. I have it written on a note with my life insurance policy but I'm not sure what good that will do. Good Luck!

My will includes the name of the "inheritor" or "adopter" as well as leaving them $5000 to ensure the continued care of any pets that are alive when I die.

I chose a loving relative who cried when I asked her if she would do it.

Hi Kate, My husband and I made provisions for Snookie if she were to out live us. We always thought of her as our child, so we wanted her to be cared for. But she is gone now but we have our new puppy Schnitzel. We will leave money for our daughter to provide care for Schnitzel should we die before Schnitzel does. Our daughter gave us her toy poodle and 2 kitties not long ago. She said she would take them back and also take Schnitzel in the event of our death.
Ann

Kate,

This is something I have thought about and I have made arrangements for someone to care for my two pups should something happen to my husband or I.

You could always contact a rescue to see if they would be willing to take your animals if something should happen to you. All purebred dog breeds have a rescue and there are rescues around for the mixed breeds as well. I also know that there are some rescues for cats. You could make a donation in your will to cover the care of your cats. As for the two that need special care ... you might be surprised. There are people out there who would give the care your cats need ... its just a matter of finding them and rescues are the first place I would look.

Hugs,
Beth