Pets And Owners Death

[rsvp]

A group of us got on this subject today and was interested in the wide variety of option provided/not provided for their pets. Some options were....back to the rescue centre, euthanasia, family members, don't want to think about it. I'm asking for your provision for your pet if you'd like to share it.

[ladybirder]

The rescue where I got my dog has it written into the contract you have to sign when adopting that you never rehome to anybody without their approval and the dog must be returned to the rescue upon your death. I believe the Dogs Trust do the same because a friend of mine who adopted a dog from them put it in her will that she wanted her dog put down if she died first. And she did and the dog was only about three years old. As I had done fostering for the DT, I knew their policy and immediately phoned them and told them and they were out like lightening to take her back again. She was adopted within the week.

[rsvp]

The DT were quick off the mark then Ladybirder - most reputable rehoming centres have the same policy which means you never legally own a dog from them so don't have the final say as to their fate if you predecease them - an obvious safeguard for just the situation mt friends and I were discussing.

[thugulike]

Most breed clubs will help with rehoming a pedigree dog if it can't go back to the breeder. Reputable breeders have a contract when you buy a puppy which should include a clause which says if for any reason you cannot keep the dog it should be returned. This needs to be mentioned in your will if you have no close family who know what to do.

[woofgang]

It may be of interest to know that those contracts between rescue and owner are pretty much unenforceable in law, particularly when a payment has been made for the animal even though the payment is called a “voluntary donation".

The argument goes (and it has been tested in court) that whatever the exchange of money for animal is called, if the rescue cannot prove that they would have handed the animal to you anyway without money changing hands, then in law, the payment is not a voluntary donation but a purchase. Given that animals are considered as things, the fact that you have purchased the animal gives the purchaser almost the same rights over it as over a washing machine or a car or any other purchased item. I say “almost” because there are of course animal welfare laws that cover cruelty and neglect.
I am NOT saying that a 3 year old dog should be PTS, simply that a rescue cannot in law set conditions on what should happen to the dogs they rehome if money has changed hands in the process and if the dog would not have been handed over without the cash! Rescues can also no longer require that an animal’s microchip remains registered to them, they can still stay on as alternative contact if the owner agrees.

[woofgang]

PS, my pets are provided for in my will, not by name but as “any pets I may own or be caring for at the time of my death.

[EDDIE51]

Wood Green animal shelter also have the 'never own' policy. You can only 'look after' a Wood Green dog, it is always owned by the charity so if the carer dies the dog goes back the shelter.

[Islay]

My dogs and cats will go to a local shelter that I support should both hubby and I die at the same time, my will has all our money going with them. The shelter has promised to look after them depending on age.

I volunteer at this shelter and I cannot think of any better place for them to go.

[woofgang]

EDDIE, Woodgreen can try but if money changes hands, then you could drive a truck through the policy.

[rsvp]

Probably academic anyway Woofgang because thousands of rehomed animals have been relocated with their new owners and rescue centres have no idea whether or not the animal is even still in this country.

[ladybirder]

True rsvp. Unless a nosy neighbour or relative sticks their oar in as I did, and would again, they would never know. And I don't suppose all rescues would act as quickly as the DT did.

[rsvp]

Exactly Ladybirder

[woofgang]

Absolutely, yes. The issue has arisen to my knowledge, when rescues have made it a requirement that a pup is neutered at or before a certain age and the owner has refused to do it for reasons other than wanting to breed the dog, which I can see why the rescue do not want. Research is starting to show that there are good reasons for delaying the neutering of some types of dog and some individuals, until they are through puberty. Some rescues require early neutering and will try to enforce it, hence the legal opinion.

[rsvp]

whose post and at what time is this an answer to woofgang :-)

[woofgang]

ermmmm, yours

[rsvp]

think we may be talking at cross purposes Woofgang - where's my post about neutering?

[woofgang]

I was saying that the reason that whether or not the rescue could enforce a contract had been argued legally had arisen because of neutering issues. (and breathe) The “returning the dog if you can no longer care for it” aspect got refuted as a side issue because of the judgement regarding the “voluntary contribution” I am sure you still can contact the original rescue and it may well be that they will be as helpful as the DT were, but its not an enforceable requirement.

[rsvp]

Thank for enlightening me Woofgang - apart from the fact that this topic was off the OP - 'What provision have you made for your pet' rather than what implications are there when one takes an animal from the rescue centre, I don't appreciate the slightly disparaging 'and breathe' as though I'm someone in my dotage. I maybe don't agree with you on a lot of things but I don't resort to sarcasm.

[woofgang]

oh dear rsvp the “and breathe” was self disparagement of my long and clumsy sentence...and not aimed at you at all. If I gave offence then I am sorry, it really wasn’t intended.

[rsvp]

Apols accepted and (gratefully received) woofgang - don't want to fall out with anyone as we all have something to contribute.

[woofgang]

I am glad you responded rsvp....when I upset people I like it to be on purpose :)