What would happen to your dog if something happens to you?

Take a moment to think about what would happen to your dog if something happened to you. Do you have written instructions with the name and contact info of the person that will care for your dog? Has the new guardian agreed in no uncertain terms to make your dog a part of their family if you can no longer care for him/her?

None of us likes to imagine what our life would be like without our dog, or worse, what our dog’s life would be like without us. It is important to pre-arrange for the future care of your dog in case you are no longer able to care for him due to accident, illness, or death. Once these arrangements are made, you can have peace of mind that your dog will not end up alone and frightened in an animal shelter. The best way to know that your dog will be cared for in the event of your death is to consult with your attorney to name a guardian for your dog and create a pet trust.

In the event that you do not have a friend or family member who is able to care for your dog, Peace of Mind’s Perpetual Care Program ensures that dog guardians, who plan in advance for the care of their dog, will be guaranteed a loving, warm, and safe home for their dog(s). Once your dog is in our care, he will be cared for in a foster home either for the rest of his life or until a perfect match with a new permanent guardian is found.

Listen to an NPR story about our Perpetual Care Program

To enroll your beloved dog in our Perpetual Care Program, we suggest that you set up a legal pet trust for the lifetime care expenses for your dog in the event of your illness, injury, or death. We also suggest that you make an annual gift in any amount to POMDR to support our mission to be here for dogs left behind. If you are unable to set up a pet trust or make an annual gift, but would still like to enroll your dog in our Perpetual Care Program, please contact us to discuss the next steps.

Your dog’s pet trust will ensure the resources are available for the lifetime care of your dog whether in a POMDR foster home or a new loving permanent home. We will need to meet your dog to determine if POMDR can accept him/her into our program. The eligibility for enrollment will be determined by our staff and will depend upon the dog’s age, size, temperament, and any special medical needs.

Dogs enrolled in POMDR’s Perpetual Care Program will receive the following:

• Placement in a loving foster home at any point that you are no longer able to care for your dog.
• A lifetime commitment from POMDR. We will ensure that your dog will be cared for by a POMDR foster home or a new adoptive home for the rest of their life.

By setting up a pet trust for your dog, you are guaranteed loving care for your dog when you are no longer able to provide care yourself. At the time of your dog’s death, any remainder of the trust would go into POMDR’s general fund to help more dogs. Your gift will carry on the legacy of your love and respect for dogs by enabling POMDR to continue to rescue dogs in need.

Please call us at (831) 718-9122 or email us for more information about our Perpetual Care Program or to speak with a staff member about enrollment.

Please speak with your attorney or visit our resources page for more information on setting up a pet trust and planning for your pet’s future should you predecease them.

• How do I enroll my dog in the Perpetual Care Program?

  Contact POMDR and talk with a board member to determine if your dog is appropriate for our program. Once it is determined that your dog can enroll in our program, we will give you a Pet Profile form to fill out so we know your dog’s likes, dislikes, habits, routines, health history, what vet clinic has his records, and anything else you would like us to know about your dog. You will then need to set up a pet trust with an attorney to provide the funds to care for your dog for the rest of his life.

• What if my dog is old or in poor health?

  If you enroll your dog in the Perpetual Care Program, POMDR will accept your dog regardless of his or her physical condition. Although older and ailing animals are sometimes difficult to place in permanent homes, POMDR will provide foster care for your dog as long as needed. You will want to take your dog’s age and health into account when funding his pet trust.

• What services will the Perpetual Care Program provide for my dog if I die or can no longer care for him?

  POMDR will become your dog’s legal guardian, and will start caring for your pet as soon as we receive notice of your death or incapacitation. We will then place your pet up for adoption to a suitable, loving home consistent with the information in his or her Pet Profile. Enrollment in our Perpetual Care Program ensures that your dog will receive compassionate care for the rest of his or her life.

• Do I need to pay anything up front?

  No. The Perpetual Care Program is funded through a pet trust that you set up with your attorney. There is no membership fee or cost to you during your lifetime, but a donation at the time of setting up your trust or leaving a donation to POMDR in your estate planning will help support POMDR’s mission of caring for dogs left behind.