Animal shelters are so overcrowded many abandoned pets are not even given a few days to be adopted by a new family. Instead, they are euthanized almost immediately after being brought to the shelter, through no fault of their own. What makes the difference in whether a homeless pet will be given a chance at adoption? The answer is resources. Without the money to maintain shelter facilities and pay for staff, veterinary care, and food for the animals, pets abandoned by their owners are put to death without ever having a chance to be adopted.
When you make an estate plan, you have many choices on how to distribute your property. Perhaps the inheritance you leave a family member will make their life more comfortable. But if you want to leave a legacy that will save the lives of those who are truly helpless, consider making a bequest or gift to help an animal rescue organization or other animal charity. Funds are needed for spay and neuter programs, educational programs about shelter pets that need to be adopted, and the operation of no kill shelters. Making an estate plan is not only a way to make provisions for your family and your pets in your absence, it is a way to make a lasting contribution that will truly mean the difference between life and death for many abandoned animals. See legacy planning and unwanted pets for more information.
