Essex & Suffolk Wills Ltd, Habendum House, 1-2 High Street, Colchester, Essex. CO1 1DA
Tel: 01206 615254 Email: info@essexandsuffolkwills.co.uk
© 2008 - 2022 All Rights Reserved
Registered in England and Wales Company No: 06740848
\ Back …
Pets are our loyal much-needed companions, our trusted friends and our surrogate children. Eastenders’ actress Wendy Richard MBE stated in her will that it was her wish that her ashes be placed with the ashes of her faithful and much loved dog Shirley. Dog lover and fashion designer Alexander McQueen recently left £50,000 in his will for the carers of his dogs to enable them to upkeep and care for them. Needless to say, the bond that exists between us and our pets is strong. Why not have a say in what happens to your pets in your will?
Too many cats and dogs are needlessly left homeless after their owners die. No-one expects you to leave lots of money in your will for the benefit of your pets but it would be the responsible thing to make certain that they are cared for in the event that you die before them. Essex & Suffolk Wills Ltd is happy to advise you on your options and enter the correct wording in your will to pass the responsibility of your pet to your desired carer so that you can ensure they're properly looked after should anything happen.
What are your options?
A family member or a friend
This is the first option that springs to our mind. Ask them. You should know them well enough to know if they like animals and if they may consider the idea. It might be unlikely that you predecease your pet and that you will ever need their help – but it is worth asking just in case. If they say yes, gift the pet to them in your will. That way, there will be no confusion. You may also want to gift in your will some money to the person towards the upkeep of the pet, and vet bills etc.
Reserve option – Your family member or friend may for some reason be unable to care for your pet when the time comes. So you must choose a reserve option. This could be another family member or friend or maybe a charity.
Leave your pet to a charity
If you don’t know anyone who would be willing to look after your pet – or as a reserve option, you can leave it to a charity. Several charities will take pets left to them in a will. Make sure you include details of any arrangements in your will. The service is free of charge but the charities will be grateful if you consider leaving a legacy or donation in your Will.
RSPCA: has a Home for Life scheme free service giving pet owners in England and Wales peace of mind. They will take care of them and set about finding them a new and loving home. Although, if you own several pets, it can’t guarantee to re-home pets together but it says it will try to. There’s more information on its special Home for Life website.
Blue Cross: runs Pets into Care, which accepts dogs, cats, guinea pigs and hamsters etc (no fish or exotic pets) and horses are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you apply for the scheme you’ll find out within seven days whether or not your pet has been accepted. Blue Cross won’t keep your pet at the sanctuary but will try and find it a new home. The charity cannot guarantee to take in more than four pets from one owner, although it will try to do so.
Dogs Trust: run its Canine Care Card scheme so as well inserting their suggested wording into your will they will issue you with a wallet-sized card so that there is no confusion with regard to your wishes. The Dogs Trust have 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK and firmly believe that no healthy dog should ever be destroyed. They will try to find your dog or dogs new owners whose lifestyle and experience match their needs. Any new owners would be visited at their home and given a thorough briefing in caring for your dog.
Cats Protection: are happy to look after your cat or cats in the event of your death, until a suitable loving home can be found. They would never put to sleep a healthy cat.
World Horse Welfare: the charity promises that your horse(s) will remain safe in their ownership, for the rest of their lives. They will do their very best to find them a new home with someone, who like you, loves horses and will be delighted to welcome your horses into their family. The charity is not a sanctuary.
Redwings: the sanctuary's Home in the Event of Death scheme (the information is under the ‘Helping Us’ section. The charity says that it only has limited space but will make sure it honours its commitment to take a horse after someone’s death. It asks for a donation of £10,000 (index linked) in your will for each horse. You can email the Legacies Officer at legacies@redwings.co.uk if you’d like to donate a horse. If a horse is under the age of 15, it will generally be re-homed unless it’s not suitable. If it’s over the age of 15 or if you specifically request it, it can be kept at the sanctuary.
We are a nation of pet lovers!