Will vs. Trusts.

I have heard so many stories of dogs being either put down or taken to a shelter, because their elderly owners have gone to be with the Lord. While their owners have gone to a better place, the pets are left to the mercy of family or the State.

Here are some options and information to help with making sure your pet is taken care of when you are no longer here to protect them. If our pet precedes us, we can choose many options to bury them and ensure their dignity in death. There is burial, cremation, taxidermy and cryogenic freezing. The last two are the least popular.

What is the difference between a will and a trust? A trust is effective upon creation and it can also provide for your pet in case the trust maker becomes disabled during their lifetime-it doesn't require the trust maker to die. Plus, it does not require going through probate.
So, theoretically, there are no delays upon disability or death.

With a will, you may own assets jointly with another person and upon death, those assets go to the other person and never reach the instructions in the will regarding care of the pet. Because of long standing, traditional rules concerning estates, it has been almost impossible to bequeath money to animals, as they are considered property themselves.

It might be hard for some to believe that family would not be thrilled at the "gift" they have received upon your death. But, the hard truth is, most are not. The care and expense of a pet is a burden to some. I would be thrilled, personally, but many are not animal lovers like me.

Their are some breeders that request all animals that are left, be humanely euthanized because they don't want their breeding line to continue, or are afraid that the animals will not be cared for as well as they took care of them. If you are a breeder, put in your trust that all remaining animals be spayed or neutered and have your estate pay for the process. That way, it will be done. Remember, their are no-kill shelters and breed specific rescue groups that will take your pets, ensuring them a long life, with someone that will love them, maybe not like you, but love them in their own, unique way.