What provisions can seniors make in case the human dies before the pet?

there are older cats for older senior citizens. When getting a pet when you're older you should not get a kitten because they are way too active. But they suggest that an older pet would be for you, however then you have two elders getting sick simultaneously and a lot of worries. My cats lived between 14 and 18 years. Perhaps you have a grandchild that likes pets, can't have one at home, and enjoys visiting you and a pet so then you'd say they would get the pet if something happened to you (you'd not say that to their face, only to write it in your will).

My elderly neighbor years ago got sick and had two cats, the vet took both cats when she went into the nursing home and, well put one to sleep almost immediately and the other one was still healthy so it stuck around for a while but then the vet went bankrupt and went north to live with her family so sold or put to sleep the animals she had on her farm. She didn't come out and say it but I presume the other cat got put to sleep. All I know is that if a cat has a chip and goes to the animal shelter they try to get it a new owner but for any others it's a luck of the draw. Usually when elders are thinking it's time for a nursing home then they give away their nick nacks and things they feel were important to them because things will get lost in the shuffle after they leave the home. Even in a will everything isn't followed according to their directions. So I'd think you'd gage things on your heredity, like if your parents went into dementia by a certain age then you should not have a pet at that age any longer.

The seniors here have a lunch time program and one guy several years ago asked me if I'd come in and get groceries for him because the county put him on a list after he was in the hospital and he couldn't get food. I noticed he had a large dog and found that his neighbors of long time would take the pet, and people from his church would stop by to see if he's ok, and to make sure his pet was fed. So it kind of "takes a city" as they say to help out someone in need.

Make arrangements with a friend or family member. Our daughter has our instructions pertaining to our dog.

We have a widowed friend who has no close relatives. He has a cockatoo and he has it in his will where Peaches will go when he dies. It's a pet bird sanctuary. Peaches stays there when our friend has to travel, too.

Ask those that you think would take good care of your animal. Then put it in your will that that is where the animal is to go. Nice to give some funds for their care too since vets can be expensive.

A few years ago I was rushed into hospital and a long questionnaire was gone through with me. This included asking who else was at home looking after the house. Were there any pets etc. These things were asked so that the hospital could contact appropriate authorities to sort things out had there been no-one who could do so.

In my case I had a husband and daughter at home and they took care of the pets as well but it was great to know that such a system was in place.

Whether this is the case with you I don't know but it would be good for you to find out BEFORE needing such help so that there will be no panic if this happens. You can write instructions stating what you wish to happen to any animals etc. so that, if you die unexpectedly, your wishes will be found but, if you are taken into hospital and unable to discuss this, your instructions will be found and followed until you are well again.

Just ensure that other people are aware of where you intend to leave those instructions. If they are not found other people will make the decisions which suit them.

A cat is an excellent pet for us seniors as there is no walking first thing in the morning, etc. The provision I have made is that I have a dear friend who adores my cat and is willing to take him on. Also, in a worse case scenario - cats are grazers when it comes to dry food. ALWAYS leave plenty of dry food and plenty of water in case of the worst. I would also suggest adopting a cat from SPCA/shelter that is a bit older and not a baby with many needs.

SPCA/Dumb Friends/shelter will ensure the cat is healthy, social, and up to date on shots, and fixed. They usually can help seniors with any questions and I found some shelters provide a goody bag for the cat to get you started on your new relationship. Best wishes on your new love who I know will love you more than you can guess :).

Put him in your will and leave him to a trusted friend.

Arrange with a relative who loves animals, and leave some money in your will for your pet's care. It costs quite a bit for a pet's shots, other medical care and food. If that's not an option, specify that you want the pet to go to a rescue organization to be adopted. This sometimes happens with older owners who have to go into a nursing home.

I know my local SPCA has a program where you can have them step in should you die, take your cat (not sure if they do this for dogs too, I don't have dogs so I don't really pay attention to the dog stuff) in and care for it/them if you fill out the forms and leave a certain amount of your will for that to happen. I haven't really looked into it so I don't have details. There are other animal rescue places that will do something along those lines (Best Friends in Utah for instance). I've also talked to my younger sister about my cats and although she always has big dogs that are known to attack cats (she rescues the dogs so it's not a matter of raising her dogs with cats, they come to her already fully formed and often neglected or abused so she's already got her hands full), she assures me she'd find good homes for any animals I may leave behind if I suddenly die; she and I have the same attitude about the animals we take in (which is why I wouldn't ask my brother, who is a cat person but he believes that cats are basically on their own, he infrequently puts down cheap cat food but that's all, never has taken a cat to the vet ever, his cats only live maybe 7 years at most and then disappear into the unknown--hit by cars, attacked by other animals, carried off by hawks, etc.--and he just gets another cat; this is not the way I care for my own cats). I intend to continue to adopt a cat until i can no longer get the litter home or clean the box daily since I cannot live without a furry bodied being to share life with. I generally adopt the older cats because they are settled into life already, they don't need to test everything, don't need to be doing anything all the time, etc. And there are so so so many older cats at the shelters because everyone wants kittens. Have decided that after my current cats pass away, I'll not have 2 cats again, just 1. I'll be retired by then so the lone cat won't be left alone for 13+ hours a day. 2 cats are great but it's just too much cleaning and too much dragging home litter and too much cat food and too many vet visits.

My cat died on March 29th, and as much as I miss her terribly, I was glad that she went before me. I have decided not to get another pet, as much as I'd like to. My health is failing, and it would be unfair to a new pet. To get an older pet has its problems too. My cat had diabetes and renal disease, and needed a great deal of care.

However, I did have my cat in my will. I was fortunate enough to have a "young" friend, who offered to take her. I left money for her care. I did have a pet sitter that I could call if I went into the hospital.

Believe it or not, I needed some homecare this week, and rather than call an agency, I had my pet sitter take care of me.

Like Jojo says Dog's Trust will take and rehome or keep your dog. Also the RSPCA has a scheme that you can sign up to where your pet is taken in by them and rehomed or kept until it also passes away. But I'm personally not a great fan of the RSPCA so I have arranged for my rabbit to go to a top-notch rabbit boarding/rescue should anything happen to me. I have left details of this with several friends and the boarding/rescue concerned are aware of my wishes and have a full list of all his likes/dislikes and funny little ways. I carry a card with their details on just in case. This same establishment will readily take him in in an emergency.

The above mentioned RSPCA and DOG'S TRUST are UK based.