When planning your life with your pets, there are more considerations than just where you will live together and what your pet will eat. What happens to your pet if you become hospitalized for a long-term illness? What if you are forced by circumstance into an assisted-living community? What happens when you pass away? Making arrangements for your pet now by including them in your directives and will ensures that your pet will not wind up living with people who do not truly care, or worse, in a local shelter for adoption or termination.
Pet retirement planning is an up and coming concept in a life long commitment to care for your pets. When you are no longer able to properly provide for your pets, where will they go? Who will care for them? Whether your decisions revolve around caring family members who are willing to open their homes to your pet-companions, or a “pet retirement community”, the fact that you have this potential aspect of their lives covered will relive a lot of stress and worry.
Friends and family members are often a first choice for placing your pets if the need arises. Make sure that your plans are known and agreed to before making them official.
When looking for a retirement community for your pet, there are some things you should keep in mind. One step is to check for NAPPS members. NAPPS is the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. As a first step, they may be able to shorten your search for a proper facility. NAPPS maintains a nationwide listing of pet sitters, boarding establishments, and retirement communities for pets.
Look for establishments offering a home-like atmosphere rather than kennels. People, toys, warm beds, clear water and nutritional foods are all aspects to consider when choosing a community for your beloved pets.
Taking care of your pets in a way that is irrefutable is as simple as a little research and updating your will. It will leave you in a more comfortable state of mind, knowing that your furry companions are cared for.
