According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 36.5% of households own a dog, 30.4% own a cat, 3.1% have birds, and 1.5% have horses. In most cases, that ownership expands to one or more pets in the same house.
Research shows that about 30% of people age 65 and older live alone, with most of those being women. Most of them do not care to live with their adult children as this is often viewed as a sign of dependence. The key is that they prefer to stay as independent as possible. Because living alone – at any age – can promote periods of loneliness, pets have become excellent companions.
Older adults find that owning a pet has various psychological, physical and social health benefits. As part of the companionship aspect, pets prevent depression and mental stress. One particular study even found that seniors with pets had fewer doctor visits than those without pets. They also provide exercise – dogs need walked and cats need to play. Furthermore, the social benefit occurs especially among dog owners as walking a dog promotes conversation with other dog walkers and strangers who just want to pet your puppy. For older adults, regular conversation and interaction with people is necessary for enhanced mental well-being.
Okay, so we know pets are great for your health, but what happens to those same pets if the senior who owns them becomes sick, hospitalized, or dies? What then? Many people don’t consider the possibility and family members end up scrambling to take care of their loved ones furry companion. The Michigan State University School of Law discovered back in 2000 that about one quarter of pet owners will include their pets in their wills. For those famous pets, such as those formerly owned by actors and actresses, they will truly be taken care of simply because they have the money to ensure that it does. For the rest of us, it’s not really a given even if the pet is listed in the will.
The University’s School of Law also said that in most cases where money is left in a will to take care of the pets, the act cannot be carried out because there is no legal entity to serve as the beneficiary to enforce that gift. The animal usually ends up in a shelter or euthanized.
To make sure your companion is taken care of through your illness, hospitalization, or death, the Humane Society of the United States suggests taking several actions now to ensure your furry friend(s) is well cared for.
1. Find at least two responsible friends or family members who will agree to serve as a temporary emergency caregiver. Write down feeding instructions, veterinarian information, and any relevant details that they should know about your pet.
2. Carry a wallet-size card with the names and phone numbers of these emergency caregivers. This way, if you are hospitalized or unable to make the calls yourself, this card will be handy. Keep it with your medication listing or medical alert information so it will be easily visible. Yes, you could even create a bracelet much like the medical condition bracelets that people often wear.
3. Place the same information on the inside of both your front and back doors in case you die or are incapacitated at home and are rushed to the hospital.
4. Draw up a formal agreement with your long-term pet caregivers and have it notarized. Check annually that they are still able to fulfill that agreement. Remember, circumstances change and one of your caregivers may have relocated to a place that does not allow pets. Always keep that agreement updated.
Keep in mind that if you do nothing for your pet’s future, do not assume that your pet will be re-homed through a local shelter. Shelters are already overcrowded with homeless animals. You may run the risk of euthanasia if you do not have alternative arrangements. There are some organizations nationwide that offer “pet retirement homes” or “sanctuaries” but these are rare. They often require a fee or donation to reserve a place for your pet.
One more thing to bear in mind: your pet has been used to personal attention and affection. Being placed in a facility – even a retirement pet home – is like confinement or institutionalization. They truly do not want to be caged any more than you would want to be confined. Your best option is to arrange for a family member or friend to take your pets in the event of an emergency and/or death. Don’t wait until you’re already ill or gone…work on it now so that your furry companions will be able to spend the rest of their lives in a happy home.
Works used for this article:
American Veterinary Medical Association. (2012). U.S. pet ownership statistics. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Statistics/Pages/Market-research-statistics-US-pet-ownership.aspx.
Beyer, G. W. (2000). Pet Animals: What happens when their humans die? Retrieved from https://www.animallaw.info/article/wills-trusts-pet-animals-what-happens-when-their-humans-die
Hara, S. (2007). Managing the dyad between independence and dependence: Case studies of the American elderly and their lives with pets. International Journal of Japanese Society, 16(1), 100-114.
Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.) Providing for your pet’s future without you. Retrieved from https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/providing-pets-future/
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