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ESTATE PLANNING FOR YOUR OTHER CHILDREN – YOUR PETS

By Sharon Richards

Real Estate Agent with Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida

September 28, 2009 09:28 AM

I have been thinking about this for awhile but with the passing of 2 kitties - one this week and the other last Christmas, I am not ready to implement a plan for I am surviving my pets. So, what will happen when your pet survives you? Do you have a plan? Do not assume you're good friend or relative will step up to the plate. This is an unwise assumption. This is the checklist I have come up with and maybe, you can add a few other pointers.

•1. Designate someone to assume ownership

•2. Keep in touch with this person to see if they are still willing

•3. Authorize payments for food, veterinary care, grooming, etc.

•4. Ask an attorney how to include language that will protect our pets in estate planning

•5. Name a Trust Protector to oversee a pet's new owner and any funds set aside for the pets care

•6. Carry a pet alert wallet card

The best news the SPCA Tampbay offers "The Pet Owner's Guide to Estate Planning for Pets" a pet alert wallet card and pet profile forms. To request any of the FREE materials call 727-581-3249 or visit www.spcatampabay.org

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Sylvie Conde

Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON

Broker, Toronto Real Estate

Sharon, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you lost two kitties. Mine died a year ago now ... and I still miss her so much.

This is great information. I actually had provided for my cat in my will, and I had 'forced' a friend of mine to play with her over the last few years, just in case. The cat goes and falls in love with the friend. :) They already loved each other, which was great. It made me more comfortable with the whole idea. I wouldn't have wanted my kitty to go to anyone else. Unfortunately, she's gone.... but should I ever feel like I can go get another pet, it's already named in the will. :)

Sep 29, 2009 12:00 PM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Sharon: This is a huge issue for my husband and I. Our pets are our children. I would hate to think of them being split apart and farmed out to strangers.

Oct 04, 2009 02:05 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Sharon, we have thought about this as we have a 2 year old lab named Zeke. My brother loves this dog and will take zeke.

Oct 04, 2009 04:11 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Sylvie - Yes, I miss both kitties - one was with me for 8 years died of cancer, and the other who was 2 years old was over dosed at the vets office by mistake - yes this vet was fired but it is still hard to forget. I think having your friend to bond with your pets is a good plan, then the change of residence will not be so hard on our fur children. Thanks for stopping by.

Oct 04, 2009 05:56 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Chris Ann - I totally agree with you. This was never on my mind till the passing of my cats.

Oct 04, 2009 06:00 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Rebecca - What great peace of mind to know who is taking over and also loves Zeke.

Oct 04, 2009 06:03 AM

Susan Mangigian

RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA

Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Sharon, I've never given this a thought before JJ came along. He has so enriched my life that I can not imagine my life without a dog. That got me thinking that God willing, JJ will live a very long time, 15 years or more, bringing me to 65, at least. If I get another dog then, I will worry that I could die before the dog, and probably would. I actually asked my 13 year old if he would keep that in the back of his mind, that as I grow older, that he keep room in his home for any future pets. He said that of course he would. He's a big time animal lover too. Of course, there should be something formal as we never know what life will bring.

Oct 07, 2009 08:45 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Susan - It is a hard thing to do - make a plan for your pets in case you are not around but we should think of not only when we get older but what about an accident, or illness. That is great your son will take over in your absence.

Oct 09, 2009 02:49 AM

Shirley Parks

Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX

Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Sharon, This is a very important thing to think about - thanks for the reminder. I need do some planning for my two wonderful pets.

Oct 09, 2009 06:15 AM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Shirley - I didn't think about this till I had two kitties pass and then I researched what other people were doing. Thanks for stopping by.

Oct 09, 2009 06:49 AM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I'm thinking that instead of you being "not ready," you're actually "now ready." Notwithstanding that, great list.

Oct 23, 2009 01:51 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Jim - You are so right. It was a wake up call for me.

Oct 23, 2009 01:59 PM

Bob & Leilani Souza

Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA

Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about your two kitties. :(

This is something we should plan for, though...no matter how unpleasant it is to think about.

Leilani

Oct 28, 2009 07:22 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Leilani - Thank you and thanks for stopping by.

Oct 29, 2009 11:42 AM

Gary Coles (International Referrals)

Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV

Latin America Real Estate

Sharon, That is a great list and very important to every pet owner. My cat, Yazmine, and I thank you for sharing it.

Yaz studying Spanish

Nov 23, 2009 03:42 PM

Sharon Richards

Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Gary - I thank Yazmine and you for stopping by.

Nov 24, 2009 09:26 AM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

The Humane Society visits our local news with pets needing adoptive parents and they often have animals whose owners have passed away. It is so sad. One of my kitties get depressed when I leave her for just a few days.

Dec 10, 2009 10:41 PM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

I love it when I see other people's cats visiting other ActiveRain blogs. Yazmine has been over to visit us, too.

My mother-in-law and her boyfriend lost both of their cats within the last ten months, the most recent having to go last week. They are now catless, but I hope not for long.

Feb 24, 2010 08:29 PM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Good news! My mother-in-law and her boyfriend announced that they will be getting a new cat shortly after March 19. As her boyfriend said, "or two, or three, or four.... we'll see what happens."

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Come join the fun in ActiveRain's Guerrilla Marketing Team Contest.

Mar 18, 2010 02:26 AM