Wills and Providing For Your Pets

What will happen to your pets when you are no longer here to care for them?

Its not morbid to make a will - it simply makes things easier for the loved ones that you leave behind. Wheher they're humans or animals, theywill all need to be cared for after you've gone. We all lead such complicated personal lives these days that, for most of us, what happens to our personal belongings isn't as straightforward as it once would have been. Unless you make your wishes clearly known by making a will then it could take years for solicitors to distribute your estate.

At freshfields, we get many requests to take care of bereaved animals every year, sometimes as a result of the owners having the foresight to include that provition in their will, but often it is left to the surviving families to make those arrangements. Our policy is to give these animals highest priority and to get them into the rescue as soon as we have a space for them.

We're happy to take in these unfortunate pets but in many cases, when there has been no forward planning, we are expected to look after them from our own funds. Sadly when people die after a long illness, much loved pets are very often a little neglected, usually because of the pressure close relatives are under at these times. The majority of animals, very often elderly themselves, coming in need as a minimum a fresh course of vaccinations, a full MOT, a standard general blood profile to tell us all internal organs are working normally. Very often dental work, almost always an individual diet. We maintain ALL animals are rehomable, even elderly animals but they do require more time-space-input and a gentler approach to rehoming. This chairity has always specialised in settling down older pets into new adoptee homes. People trust us to do the right thing as we do.

We cannot stress enough, the importance of stipulation in writing your wishes for the future of any pets you have, and providing the financial means for this to be done. In 2005 alone we have been called in by either social services or the immediate families on 33 occassions to remove animals into our care. On none of these occassions were any written instructions left to guide anyone.

For an informal chat concerning any of these issues e-mail or write into us and one of our trustees will arrange to make a home visit if appropriate.

BY REMEMBERING US IN YOUR WILL

To support us in this way, ask your solicitor or Bank Manager how to include us.
The following form is suggested:

' I bequeath unto the 'Freshfields', Animal Rescue Centre (Reg. Charity No. 508579) of East Lodge Farm, East Lane, Ince Blundell, Liverpool L29 3EA, the sum of £ __________________ (free of duty) and declare that the reciept of the Treasurer or other authorised officer for the time being of the Charity shall be a good and sufficient discharge of such legacy'.

If you have already made out your will, you can still benefit the Charity by the addition of a short codicil and if you wish us to take care of any animals you may have, this must be included.

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