As a responsible pet caregiver, you provide your dog with food, water, shelter, vet care, and lots of love, but what happens if you become ill or incapacitated? Let’s face it: no one knows when an accident or sudden illness might change life for you, and to insure that your beloved pet will continue to receive proper care if something unexpected happens to you, it is critical to plan ahead. Statistics show that a high percentage of the more than 2 million Americans who die each year are animal caregivers…in other words, more than a million companion animals potentially lose their caretakers annually, and if definite arrangements have not been made, these animals can wind up neglected, abandoned, or euthanized. Do NOT just assume that a family member or friend will automatically accept responsibility. It is not enough that long ago someone verbally promised to care for your animal. Right now we have several elderly dogs whose caregivers died with assurance that their dogs would be well taken care of by family and friends, but, for one reason or another, they ended up at the shelter, confused and frightened.  It is vitally important for EVERY pet caregiver to make plans if tomorrow comes and you’re not able to care for your beloved companion. These tips can help you create a plan:

• Find at least two responsible friends or relatives who agree to serve as caregivers in case of emergency. Provide them with keys to your home; feeding and care instructions; the name of your vet and any other helpful information.
• Have alternate caregivers, just in case your first choices become unable or unwilling to accept the responsibility. Stay in touch with the designated caregivers and alternates. Over time, people’s priorities and circumstances change, and you need to be sure that the arrangements you have made continue to be accepted by them. Communication is the key!
• Make sure that your neighbors, relatives, and friends know how many pets you have, and information about those who have agreed to serve as caregivers. Have an “alert list” with names and contact information in your home in a conspicuous place where it can be easily seen . Keep a card in your purse or wallet giving emergency names and phone numbers.

If you aren’t sure exactly how to provide for your pet’s care without you, there is a new, easy-to-use, book out to assist you prepare for your dogs’ future.  “If I Should Die Before My Dog…”, by Joe and Cathy Connolly is well written, beautifully illustrated, and includes worksheets that encourages caregivers to fill in the blanks, covering the obvious (name, medical history) and the not-so-obvious, but important (like what words to use to initiate potty needs). The information in this book is sure to make the life of a dog easier during difficult transition periods, and the book is available for under $15.00 from Amazon. I recommend that all responsible pet caregivers use this absolutely wonderful book.

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Another book that I suggest for ALL humans who want to stay healthy for both their four-footed companions, and their two-footed companions, is the book Unaccountable, by Marty Makary. This book is not a fun book, but it contains information that is vital to the well-being of everyone, and is also available for under $15. from Amazon.

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I seldom urge readers to purchase specific books, but these two books are exceptions. Thirty dollars is a small investment with HUGE rewards. The one book could save your animal’s life, and the other one could literally save YOUR life.

None of us wants to think about the heartbreaking and devastating event of not being there for our dogs, but life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and it is important to plan ahead to ensure that our beloved animals will continue to be loved and cared for in the best possible way.