What is done with pets if their senior owner passes away or can no longer care for them?

The family finds homes for them or keep them. I bought a Chichua dog from a lady 6 years ago .It was her deceased Moms dog and I still have her. She is a precious dog. She lived with her owner in a nursing home.She was housebroken which was a plus. Margie

As Blaz noted, it can be a great gift all around if family members are able to find a new home for the pet.

But pet owners who want to plan ahead can also leave their pets to specified beneficiaries in a will. (The law considers pets to be property, rather than the people they sometimes convince us they are.)

The most conscientious owners will also often leave a sum of money to the beneficiary earmarked for caring for the pet, along with a letter or specific directions about the pet's preferred care.

All of this should be dicussed with the intended beneficiary first, of course, to prevent Spot from going to a dog-phobic friend or Kitty from going to a relative who's wildly allergic to cats.

Unless the pet owner has left specific arrangements for the pet, it is likly it will end up at a shelter and euthanised. The best way to assure this doesn't happen is to attach a binder to the estate that the person who gets the "stuff" has to take the pet. I will take my fathers cat if no one else in the family will take it. I will not let my father turn over in his grave knowing that his beloved pet was dumped in a shelter.

I have made an effort to be part of several social groups. If you are a member of a group it is wise to try and arrange placement for your pet in the event of your death. There is usually a secretary in every organization who could hold the paper that is to be opened in the event of your death. You could even add arrangements for your pet to your last will and testament. Remember though that if your current pet dies before you do and you acquire another pet, you need to update your preferences in your will or other such document. No two pets are alike even if they are of the same species and/or breed and you might wish to arrange placement based on personality of the pet being compatible with the human to whom you will leave your pet. People do this for their children all of the time.

I've heard of many endings for animals who've lost their humans, some terribly sad.They need to be allowed to grieve, too.

I have an almost three year old Bichon-Poodle purchased at age 12 weeks, at the suggestion of our chaplain. My husband was so wrapped up in his illness, losses, pains and so forth that I was a caregiver in need of a living creature who would be glad to see me. An amazing bonus came from this addition to our home. Even though he didn't originally want a pet, my husband fell in love with the Bichon-Poo nearly instantly and we shared her until he died, which was 8 and a half months ago. My new will specifies that whoever takes her [or a subsequent dog I may acquire if she dies] will have a stipend to care for food, vet bills, grooming etc. If the specified relative cannot take her,and another willing and loving home can't be found there are provisions for the dog to be euthanized, with a family member staying with her until she's gone.

It's a good idea to talk to your parents about the future of their beloved companion. In a case where you can't take the pet yourself, ask if your parents have younger friends or neighbors who may already know the animal, then ask if they would like to talk to one of those friends/neighbors about adopting or prefer that you do it. It will definitely provide comfort for them to know the pet will be well cared for in the future.

i have never had to deal with this issue,but if that was to happen to one my family members i would take the cat in and give him a good home. cats and other animals have feelings and they miss their human friend very badly. they are all God's animals and they need to be taken care of,they are grieving and they don't understand so give them lots of love.

Janet Schultz

Sometimes I stop and realize that it is my cat that keeps me alive because there is no where for him to go if I am not here to take care of him. I want to make a provision in my will that states he is to be humanely put to sleep and his remains cremated with mine. I love that animal and the thought of him being out in the cold or left to an animal shelter to be destoyed chills my bones. He is the one living creature on this earth who loves me and I know it because he is the most loving, empathetic and caring presence in my life. None of my family would care for him because he was mine and they all hate me. I have no friends so that option is out. I know he would miss me and be hurt if I suddenly wasn't here, so I want to take him with me whenever and wherever I go. I think he would be better off with me.

My dad has a little dog and he dearly loves it---and she loves him. He's made my sister and I promise many, many times that when he passes away, we will keep her and be good to her.