Do you have plans for your pets if you were to die?

[CountAllVotes]

I'm in a situation right now where I am having to have legal things taken care of.

I was going to name my only sibling as Executor. I received the envelope from my attorney a week or so again and could not bring myself to open it. Its just sitting here unopened.

I found out that my sibling lied. He won't be "caring" for my cats if I die! They will end up being "barn cats". Huh?

These are indoor pampered pets!

What plans do you have as I don't know what to do! I have not signed anything to appoint my sibling as the executor of my estate (which consists of the house I am living in). Said sibling wants this house and suddenly I get letters signed, With love. Never saw that before!

Giant ugh!

Please share what plans you may have with me. Any advice as to what to do with my tRUMP sibling is greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[634-5789]

1. In my will....

Our surviving pets will go to the local humane society, and there is money provided for thier care, and instructions for thier housing, habits etc.

[CountAllVotes]

2. The local "humane" society is the local kill-shelter

I have found a place in Mendocino that will take them but they'd be kept in a huge outdoor catio type of place with hundreds of other cats.

I don't think they'd care much for that!



This whole thing is making me sick!

The thought of my cats become barn cats = oh my fucking god!



I haven't signed anything.

Maybe dying intestate would be a better option?

[CharleyDog]

3. We have a "Friends Forever" plan with our Humane Shelter in Portland

It's where we adopted our two dogs, and the plan will take them and rehome them. It's in our will. (also, we contribute monthly to the Shelter).

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Yes, included in my trust.

[marybourg]

5. I adopted a senior cat when I was 74. The shelter

told me that they would act as a rescue of last resort if I could no longer care for him and there was nowhere else for him to go. I entered that information in my “death and disability” book, where I keep all the information my children will need when one or the other event occurs.

If you got your pets from a rescue, and have no other alternative, perhaps they will do the same. Sorry you are having to face this.

[CountAllVotes]

6. Its pretty awful

My cats are all I have other than a dead husband in May of last year.

I knew I did not open that envelope for a reason nor sign anything!

I found out his child, like him, is also allergic to cats.

Why the fuck did he not tell me this?

I would have NEVER appointed him as executor.

You know, anybody but?

[Paper Roses]

7. Those of us with pets worry if something happens to them. Can I tell you a story?

I have been a widow for 15 years. My late husband and I always had a kitty. We card for them until the end. They died of died of Feline Leukemia or kidney failure. They were great companions for 15 years.. No shots available then for leukemia and the kidney problems were severe for these old timers..

My husband died of a stroke in 2008. This was between times when we had a kitty. In 2010 my grandchildren encouraged me to adopt a kitty and I visited a shelter and adopted a wonderful young cat. The shelter had no idea how old she was. Didn't matter, she was friendly and stole my heart.
About 6 months ago, she started to show some strange behavior. To the Vet several times to the tune of $1000+. Shots, change in food, exams and other stuff.

2 months ago, she started to exhibit some strange behavior to the point that I was alarmed...now she was about 12-14 years old or even older. I tried to reach the vet for emergency visit. They were too BUSY to see her.

I called the other vet in my town and explained what was going on and they wanted to see her the next AM. She had dropped from 8 pounds to less than five and was not eating, just drinking water. I was told by the Vet that she was sick and probably had Cancer. We did a review of her history and symptoms and it was determined that she was at the end of her life.

I am a very senior and had written information about her care for my kids as to what to do if something happened to me. Sorry to say, this will not happen. My poor kitty was euthanized.
I'm now encouraged by my family to adopt a new kitty. I can't do it as much as I'd love to. My health is not good and if I die, there will be no care for any new pet. The next step the shelters here are to put cats up for adoption and given a few weeks, they will be euthanized if no-one chooses them.
I know this is slightly off topic but I wanted to let you that we all love out pets but there is a time when you have to step back and realize that they need you if you are not there.
I miss her every day.

[CountAllVotes]

11. All of them were in a kill shelter

One of them was sick and they were going to get rid of her the next day. Turns out the problem was from tapeworms!

The other two are bonded twins and they were healthy when he adopted them but they are semi-feral cats. She is very friendly!

The twins hide when people come around.

One way I try to look at it is like you. Had I not adopted these cats from the local kill shelter maybe no one would of, esp. the black cat that was so sick.

I gave them a home for 10+ years. I tried my best.

I just hope it doesn't have an awful ending as my health is no good either but I'm not knocking on death's door quite yet!

Thank you for your post!

On edit: Paper Roses, maybe you should consider being a foster mom? Would that work out for you? You'd have yourself another kitty this way!

I hate seeing any potential cat mom out there not have a kitty! There are so many that need homes waiting for YOU right now. Give it some thought!

[redstatebluegirl]

8. Yes, we just had our wills updated and made arrangements for our fur babies.

We contacted our friend who works at at vets office. She has agreed to take our dogs and find good homes for them if something happens to us. We are leaving her a lump sum to take care of any expenses she might have. We wrote very clear instructions about the type of home we want, and about the two who are a bonded pair and need to go together.

[CountAllVotes]

24. Thanks for that

I have the twins and they are certainly a bonded pair alright.

I have someone in mind to be the executor in lieu of this sibling.

I'm glad I found out about the lie as the papers are right here waiting for my signature.

At least I found out! Wow!

[redstatebluegirl]

33. We made our nieces executors.

We trust them to do what is right. My husband's siblings will not understand but we do not care.

[SheltieLover]

9. Personally, I would disinherit that sibling!

Last edited Tue Jan 17, 2023, 06:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Maybe make a legal arrangement with a rescue to give your fur babies a forever home in exchange for willing your house to them.

[CountAllVotes]

13. I just contacted the kill-shelter I got them all from

They have referred my call to the supervisor.

Maybe she can figure out something else.

I know what you mean btw. I had not heard from this person for years, all notes signed "Regards". Now the word is "Love" being said person figures they are in charge. Not quite yet though. I haven't signed a damned thing!

[SheltieLover]

15. Good! Don't sign that!

And great idea to call the shelter your babies came from.

Is your sibling, by chance, a maga?

[CountAllVotes]

16. Yes, I believe so

From what I know where he lives is a nest full of them.

All born-again sh*theads ya know?

The lie is what gets me.

Why lie about it?

I'd come back from the grave for revenge!

[SheltieLover]

17. That is unconscionable to lie go you about your kitties!

Sounded like a greedy maga! Lie to get what they want...

Glad you found out before signing!

And good for you taking measures to ensure your beloved companions' care, should you depart ghe mortal coil before them.

[CountAllVotes]

20. When my husband died

Nothing. No card, no words, no nothing but GOOD I was told.

GOOD?



These people have no soul. None.

[SheltieLover]

21. Right! No soul. Just greed!

[KarenS]

10. Been thinking about your OP for abit,,,,

can you look for a Cat Rescue and talk with them. Perhaps leave some money to them to care for your kitties. Also an accountant or fiduciary to handle your estate. My Husband and I have no children together ~ but I have 3 ~ he has 2.... they don't really know one another and do not live in the same city so we did not want to make any of them trustee and/or executor ~ we went the fiduciary route.

Good luck with all of this.

[ShazzieB]

12. I guess I need to talk to my daughter.

I'm pretty sure I can trust her to do the right thing, but I should talk to her to make sure we're on the same page. I'll tell her that if anythng happens to us, and she can't keep Willow herself (because her cats don't get along with her or some such thing), I want her to contact the rescue we adopted her from.

These situations can be tough. Several years ago, I was really worried that we were eventually going to have to take care of my brother in law's cats. Logan, the cat we had at the time, hated all other cats on sight and HAD to be an only cat, so we couldn't have kept them, and they were very elderly with high-maintenance health conditions, dietary requirements, etc., which would have made rehoming well nigh impossible. Fortunately (for the cats, not for him), BIL has ended up outliving them by quite a bit and did not adopt any more after they passed.

[CountAllVotes]

14. Good point!

I may well outlive all of these cats.

If I adopt any more, I need to make sure they have somewhere to go should I die.

Its hard to know.

Given the illness I have, my time is technically up according to statistics. However, statistics statistics statistics.

Who knows, I could live another 10 or 20 years. It is possible.

Thank you!

[Chicagogrl1]

18. You bring up such an interesting point

As far as leaving your estate to your sibling, go with your gut. Maybe donate your estate to a cause that you are passionate about.

As far as your fur babies, do you have any friends/neighbors that would take them? Perhaps you could designate a portion of your estate for their care?

[CountAllVotes]

19. My gut says ...

NO FUCKING WAY!

Even both of my parents told me separately before they each died (not knowing what other had said to me) was stay the hell away from that SOB.

Your best interest is not in their mind I was told. I know what they would say if they were here. Same thing they said when they were alive.

They had little to no contact w/this person at the end of their lives.

[Chicagogrl1]

22. Then you have your answer

Designate a close friend or charity that deserves your estate & fur babies

[niyad]

23. I have appointed a very dear friend as my furbaby's legal guardian in the event

of my death or incapacity. We signed a form (available online). She is on my phone ICE (in case of emergency) contact list, has a set of keys to my place, and instructions, including about money for his care.

There is a lot of valuable information on the web about this very thing.

As far as your traitior-loving sibling goes, you are not required to give him anything in modt states. A mention in the will and a dollar eliminates the "I was forgotten/overlooked, etc." bs. There are plenty of good organizations to which you could leave your estate. A non-relative can be your executor (lawyer, banker, trusted friend?)

[debm55]

26. Niyad, what do I look up to find this form?

Thank you, debm

[debm55]

27. Niyad, what do I look up to find this form?

Thank you, debm

[niyad]

29. Google "pet guardianship form for cats". There are a number of sites, and lots

of information. I hope this helps.

[TexasBushwhacker]

25. My brother will

He's a cat and dog lover.

[virgdem]

28. I have plans for any surviving pets that I put into place in the early 90's

I have no children, so my lawyer is designated as my executor. As to any surviving pets, I have an arrangement with North Shore Animal League in New York. They have a Safe Haven program for surviving pets. I have set up my will to include instructions as to care and transport to North Shore when I pass to the great beyond.

I also have Brother problems and I would not trust him with care of any animals. You may want to think about contacting a lawyer that deals in wills/trusts to act as your executor. As to pet care, search out any organization such as North Shore in your area to see what they have to offer. I wish you the best of luck in planning for your kitties.

[CountAllVotes]

31. I've been looking at the North Shore Animal League

That is the place I mention earlier in Mendocino.

I've never been to the place but it is located in a beautiful spot. It is better than ending up in a barn somewhere with no food nor care!

If the executor doesn't want to deal with the cats, they would be the alternate is my idea.

I'll have to contact them again to see if they have an example of what the instructions are like.

Just seeing your post and mentioning them makes me feel positive towards them. I hope they would be a good choice for a batch of aging felines that do not go outside.

Thank you in advance.

[Rebl2]

30. In our

wills, my husband and I said she is to go back to the shelter we got her from and it’s a no kill shelter by the way.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

32. Yes a long time cat worshipper

A long time friend of mine will take Othello as his own. He adores Othello.Othello trusts him.
The backup plan to the plan above is my sister who lives in Delaware who loves cats will take him in. She has 2 himalayans she got from a shelter as kittens they were a bonded pair. She found out about them from someone she knows from the shelter and got first in line to adopt . And one himalayan she got when an elderly lady she knew died. She really loves himalayans and takes excellent care of them.

[CountAllVotes]

34. That is great Underground Panther

I'm so glad you do not have to worry about Othello.

Its making me sick to be honest with you.

Take care and I am happy for you as at least you don't have to worry about Othello!