I don't come from a long line of worriers, but I do manage a certain balance of paranoia and superstition in my life. For instance, a part of me is convinced that, if I ever remember to bring an umbrella with me, it won't actually rain. Following that logic, it stands to reason that if I'm prepared for sudden disaster to strike, leaving my husband and myself unable to care for our pets, that worst-case scenario will never occur. Whether or not the magic works like that, I'm convinced that having a plan for my pets and making sure others know about that plan is never a bad idea.
With our current count of three rabbits, four dogs, one cat, five guinea pigs, 15 rats, and seven fish, we need a variety of people with a wide array of know-how to care for the animals in our absence and, should the very worst happen, find them new homes. Here's what we did to give ourselves a little peace of mind.
I remember my mom writing my name and address into my book bag every school year; the pet-parent ID card serves a similar function. On a piece of paper the size of a business card, I've written the following: "I have pets at home who depend on me. Please contact [my pet sitter] at [this phone number] if you find this card on my person and I am unable to communicate. Thanks. My pets are counting on you. Andrea Zander"
If no one knows that I have other beings dependent upon me, no one knows to do anything about it. I used our pet sitter's name because she has a key to the house and knowledge of how to care for our animals, but you can use contact information for anyone familiar with your pets. Carrying this card can be as life saving to my pets as wearing a Medic Alert bracelet can be to a diabetic.
Before you can put together instructions for the care of your potential orphans, you need to know exactly where they'll be going should something happen to you. In our case, we have an entire network of people involved. Here are some of the key criteria we used:
In the case of our three bunny girls, we have a number of rabbit owners in the area who have agreed to find new homes for our rabbits if the need should arise. It begins with our pet sitter and extends out through two e-mail lists of people who own pet rabbits, including PetBunny@lsv.uky.edu, which is an international list. Our dogs will stay together and move to Michigan with my cousin, our cat will go live with our pet sitter, and so on. Even rescue groups can be involved, as is the case with our guinea pigs.
Remember, though, that it's vital that the person you choose knows you plan for them to take your pets in! Also decide on someone who is willing and able to see that your wishes are carried out. It's one thing for people to say they'll help, but if any of them fall through for any reason, someone needs to be there to pick up the pieces for your pets.
The master list is a collection of information about each pet. Preparing to write this article, I noticed it was past time for me to update my own master list. I've opted for a table format, like this:
Be as specific as possible and be sure to include the date the entry was updated. My final version of this will likely have even more detail about Tundra, so whoever takes her in will have a thorough description. You might even consider adding a photograph or two, especially if you have pets with a similar appearance.
Once you have all the information together for your pet, it's time to distribute it. The caregiver you've chosen should get at least one copy, and should be informed of any updates you make. Also keep a copy filed away in a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe – somewhere it will be found in case of emergency. You may also want to give a copy to your vet's office, in case they need to hold your pets for a time. And by copy, I mean the entire list of pets, even for those only taking in one animal.
This is a different master list, and it fills the role of a will, to some extent. If you already have a will, this can be incorporated into it. Make sure you give a copy of this to everyone involved in your disaster plan, and consider distributing it to your local animal shelter, your vet, and your family or friends so everyone is aware of your wishes. The list should include:
At the top of your list of caregivers, you may want to add a statement that looks something like this: "[Name of the person in charge and contact info] is in charge of carrying out the directives of this list. He has the authority to make changes as necessary."
As with the master list, it's better to have too much information than not enough, so if you want to list multiple alternative contacts, go ahead. Just prioritize them clearly so it isn't a guessing game for the person trying to execute your wishes.
Much as we don't like to think about it, there's no way to predict if or when we'll no longer be able to care for our pets. By making preparations, though, you'll always be able to care for them, even if it's through someone else.