The Humane Society of the United States Offers Guidance to Owners Setting up Pet Trusts
Pets live in two-thirds of U.S. households, and Americans spend $41 billion annually on pet care. One rising trend that can ensure the long-term safety of our animal companions is the establishment of pet trusts. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) encourages pet guardians to consider setting up pet trusts to guarantee that their four-legged family members are well cared for in their absence.
Pet trusts allow individuals to assign their pets a permanent guardian and make provisions for veterinary care, food, water, companionship, and other needs as a part of their estate planning. The remainder of the trust can be designated for a charity, such as a local animal shelter or The HSUS.
"Pets are part of the family in millions of households, and Americans want to know that their animals will always be well taken care of," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. "Setting up a trust on your pet's behalf will give you the peace of mind in knowing that Fido or Fluffy will be cared for, if something happens to you."
Sadly, many of the 3 to 4 million cats and dogs that are euthanized each year were left homeless because their owners became too ill to care for them or passed away unexpectedly. The HSUS has developed a treasure trove of information to help owners ensure that their pets do not fall into this category.
Anyone interested in planning for their pet's future can visit humanesociety.org to find a complete guide to setting up pet trusts. With this information, and the assistance of a knowledgeable legal professional, owners will be well on their way to providing their pets with reliable lifelong care.
"The process of setting up a pet trust is a matter of personal choice and responsibility, but we also need public policies that make it even more simple for pet owners to take this much-needed step to protect their loved ones," added Markarian.
The HSUS and its lobbying arm, Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), are urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Charitable Remainder Pet Trust Act, H.R. 2491, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.). The bill would allow the creation of charitable pet trusts under the federal tax code, which does not currently recognize the pet trust provisions held by thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia.
For more information on pet trusts please visit .humanesociety.org/pettrusts
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
