Pet Forum

If You Care About Your Pets, Prepare for Their Future

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By Debra Berger

Many of us have been blessed to know the joy of living with a four-legged friend.

Our cats and dogs (and horses and other furry creatures) bring us companionship, amusement and pure, unconditional love. When we remove an animal from its birth pack (family unit), we become the "pack" that commits to its lifetime care.

As responsible pet guardians, you provide your pets with food, water, shelter, exercise, veterinary care and love. If you are unable to do this, you want to ensure that your pets continue to receive this care, so please plan ahead.

Because most non-human animals have a shorter life span than we do, it is natural to expect to care for pets for their entire lives. Unfortunately, there are several situations that can arise to prevent us caring for our pets. A few examples:

• Emergencies and natural disasters. (For more information on ensuring your pets' safety during natural disasters, visit the Humane Society of the United States Web site at www.hsus.org.)
• Unexpected or long-term hospitalizations.
• A move to a nursing home or assisted-living facility.
• Death.

Here are a few steps you can take now to ensure that your pets will be cared for in your absence: (This information is provided by the HSUS in its kit "Providing for Your Pet's Future Without You." Order one free kit per family by e-mail at petsinwillsrp@hsus.org or call 202-452-1100. The kits, which include the forms mentioned below, are in huge demand and may take up to 12 weeks to arrive. In the meantime, readers can go to www.hsus.org/petsinwills to download a fact sheet.)

• Find at least two responsible friends or relatives who agree to serve as temporary emergency caregivers in the event that something unexpected happens to you. Provide them with keys to your home; feeding and care instructions; the name of your veterinarian; and information about the permanent care provisions that you have made for your pet.
• Make sure that your neighbors, friends and relatives know how many pets you have and the names and contact numbers of the individuals who have agreed to serve as emergency caregivers.
• Carry a wallet "alert card" that lists names and phone numbers of your emergency pet caregivers.
• Post removable "in case of emergency" notices on your doors or windows specifying how many and what type of pets you have. These notices will alert emergency response personnel during a fire or other house emergency. Do not use stickers. Hard-to-remove stickers are often left behind by former residents, so firefighters may assume that the sticker is outdated or, worse, risk their lives trying to find a pet that is no longer in the house.
• Affix to the inside of your front and back doors a removable notice listing emergency contact names and phone numbers.

In addition to these informal arrangements, it is important to make formal arrangements that specifically cover the care of your pet. After choosing a permanent caretaker for your pets (with their permission, of course!), you must put this information in your will.

Other options include giving power of attorney to someone you trust, or considering a "pet retirement home." One of these facilities, Animal Companion Rescue Foundation (www.animalcrf.org), is in the development stage in Atlanta. You will need your attorney to prepare the proper paperwork that ensures your wishes are carried out.

Susan Feingold, the director of Fulton County Animal Services, reports that many animals are turned in to her shelter when guardians go into the hospital or retirement homes without a plan for their pets. You do not want your beloved pet to end up in an animal shelter. Despite a dedicated and caring staff, a shelter is a frightening place. If you have horses, they could end up as dinner in France or Belgium after a grueling truck ride to slaughter.

We do not want these fates to befall our pets. It is worth the time to plan for their future.

Debra Berger has been concerned about animal protection for more than two decades and has a particular interest in the relationship between Judaism and animals.

Adoptable Pets of the Month

Top: Duke, Bottom: Miles

Duke and Miles are healthy, 4-year-old brothers who have never been separated. They must stay together and need a fenced yard. Duke and Miles are great with children and other dogs and are housebroken. If you are interested in adopting these boys, visit the Southeast Pug Rescue and Adoption Web site at www.rescuepug.com, where plenty of other pugs and pug mixes are also available, or call (770) 887-9741. To nominate other homeless pets to be featured in Julep's Pet Forum, e-mail amquill@JULEPonline.us, or call (404) 564-4560.

Reader Pet of the Month

Meet Sabrina, a 10-year-old bichon frisé born on Thanksgiving Eve and owned by Julep reader Howard Horowitz, who says she can often be seen walking at the Forum on Peachtree Parkway or sitting in front of Caribou Coffee. She's also a regular at the Home Depot. Sabrina loves everyone, especially her human sister, Emily Rose. To submit a picture of your pet, e-mail amquill@JULEPonline.us, or call (404) 564-4560.

Calling All Pet Lovers!

Do you want to be part of Julep's Pet Forum? Send pictures, anecdotes, letters or columns to amquill@juleponline.us, or call (404) 564-4560.

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