Can I Put My Pet In My Will?

Boca Raton, FLA --- Have you ever wondered what to do with your pet if you suddenly passed away? Who is going to take care of it? What if it gets sick and needs medical attention? Who is going to pay the medical bills? Who is going to pay for routine shots? These are many questions you may ask yourself in thinking about this confusing topic.

Stated in an article on www.animallaw.info, the Uniform Trust Act of 2000 does not allow you to will property to an animal per se, but it allows you to set up a trust for the continuing care of your pet. The Act itself is an example of the increased recognition of animal interests.

As of right now, there are roughly thirty-one states that now recognize pet trusts. These trusts allow for the owner to name a pet as a beneficiary and to name a trustee to take care of the pet.

Make plans for your pet.

According to an article written by Eileen Ambrose of The Baltimore Sun, it is important that people make plans for what will happen to their pet. And whether they end up creating a pet trust, setting money aside in a will for care or use some other means, the issues owners face will be similar. For instance, pet owners need to find a caretaker and someone to manage the money left behind for the pet's benefit. Usually the same person handles both roles. Look for someone who is responsible, capable of handling money and likes animals.

Other suggestions in the article encourage you to:

• Name one or two backups in case the trustee cannot fulfill the job.

•Make sure there is enough money to cover pet expenses.

• Write a care plan, basically a memo detailing the veterinarian's name.

• Include in the care plan the pet's routine, medications, likes and dislikes.

Drafting a Trust

You will want to include specific information in the trust.

• The name and address of a trustee and an alternate trustee.

• The name and address of the caregiver and an alternate caregiver. (It may be beneficial to name the same person as the trustee and the caregiver)

• Detailed information on the identity of your pet. (microchip or papers)

• The standard living and care you wish for your pet.

• A detailed description of the property that will fund the trust.

• Information on how the remainder of the trust should be distributed once your pet dies.

• Instructions on the final disposition of your pet's body.

According to an article by Richard Willing of USA Today, the average amount left to pets is about $25,000. It was also stated in the article that according to a 2000 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association that Americans own roughly 68 million dogs and 73 million cats. The impulse to protect them after one's demise has always been strong and, for some, overwhelming.

Copyright 2006 Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp.

About The Author
Pete Glocker is employed in the Education and Charitable Services Department at Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp. ("DMCC"), a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization located in Boca Raton, Florida. Pete graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Multimedia Journalism and was a web producer Intern for Tribune Interactive products Sun-Sentinel.com and SouthFlorida.com. DMCC provides free financial education, personal budget counseling, and debt management plans to consumers across the United States. Debt management plans offered by DMCC help consumers relieve the stress of excessive debt by reducing credit card interest rates, consolidating and lowering monthly payments, and stopping collection calls and late fees. DMCC financial counselors can be reached for free education materials, budget counseling and debt management plan quotes by calling 800-863-9011 or by visiting http://www.dmcccorp.org. Pete Glocker can be reached by email at pete@dmcccorp.org.

Veterinarians: How to Get Your Clients to Provide More and Better Care for Their Pets…Without Making Them Think All You Want Is Money

Today's veterinary healthcare providers face a dilemma: how to get your clients to provide more and better care for their pets without making them think all you want is money. Here are some ways you can do just that (and a bonus: you'll get more new clients, too!).

America is a nation of animal lovers. We provide homes for pets in numbers unrivaled by any other society on earth. And you, the veterinary healthcare provider, who have devoted your life to the well-being of animals, do what you do for the love of animals—not for the love of money.

Yet, as you know from your daily practice, many—if not most—pets are undertreated.

Maybe you're reluctant to recommend additional treatment, for fear your clients will think you just want their money. The truth is, pet owners would spend more on pet care… if their vets told them what they needed to do…and if you could convince them that it's their pets' well-being you care about most.

The key? Vets who establish the best relationships with their clients will get the most business from existing clients…and the most new clients. And those relationships begin with communication.

The human-animal bond is extremely important in our society.

Most households in America have at least one pet, and these pets are cherished members of the family.

Consider these figures from the AAHA's 2004 Pet Owner Survey of US and Canadian pet owners:

? 94% think their pet has humanlike personality traits.

? 93 % would risk their own life for their pet.

? 87% include pets in their holiday celebrations.

? 84% consider themselves Mom or Dad to the pet.

? 82% think of their pets at least once a day when they're away.

? 80% said "companionship" is the major reason for having a pet.

? 78% greet their pet at the door before they greet their spouse.

? 72% say affection is their pet's most endearing trait.

? 67% of pet-containing households recognize pet birthdays.

? 65% have sung or danced with their pet.

? 62% sign letters or cards as being from their pets as well as themselves.

? 57% would rather have a pet than a person with them if stranded on a deserted island.

? 55% have an emergency preparedness plan that includes their pet.

? 43% of pets (not including fish and snakes) share beds with their people.

? 36% say their pet enjoys watching TV.

? 33% talk to their pets on the phone or through the answering machine.

? 25% say they brush their pet's teeth.

? 24% of dog owners sometimes dress their pets.

? 18% have attended a birthday party for someone else's pet.

Not only that…we are increasingly becoming a culture of animal lovers. American pets enjoy a better quality of life each year. Consider that:

? Spaying and neutering have reached an all-time high—82%, up from 75% just ten years ago.

? Those who provide daily exercise for their pet is now at 80%, up from only 68% in 1995.

? Dogs and cats have largely moved indoors, and 39% of pet owners say they have at least one piece of furniture reserved for their pet.

? Those who dress their pets is up from 21%, with most saying they do so to protect their pets from the weather…but also "for fun" on holidays.

? The concept of "no-kill" shelters—only recently considered unrealistic—is quickly gaining in popularity.

Yes…we love to love our pets.

But…you don't want to take advantage of our love for our pets!

Understandably, with each care recommendation you make comes the implication that the client must spend money.

Emphasize that prevention is the best way to go. Remind pet owners they can help pets live longer, healthier, happier lives by bringing in their pets for regular physical exams, vaccinations, and dental care.

Some pet owners might consider euthanizing a pet because they're not aware of the options available. You can put yourself on their team by suggesting ways they can save money—e.g., mail order drugs or generics; home care.

Don't pre-judge clients' willingness to comply…or ability to pay. Some hints…

? Start by assuming that pet owners want the best care for their pets.

? Keep educational materials and resources available; use them to reinforce recommendations you've made.

? Schedule the next appointment before the client leaves.

? Here's a big opportunity to increase client satisfaction: make follow-up phone calls. Studies show that most pet owners want follow-up calls…but only a little over half get them!

? Remember: these are quality of care goals, not financial goals.

Pets are big business! Pets are the new status symbols; a well cared-for pet is a sign of achievement.

Many vets believe obesity is the greatest health issue facing America's pets. Do you? Here's a worthy challenge to overcome: people buy ordinary pet food because it's cheaper…and it's "good enough."

Offer premium quality pet foods for sale at your practice, and suggest clients buy some along with the services they're purchasing.

Here again, emphasize that prevention is the key.

Other trends represent increased opportunity…

We have more pets per household then ever before. Consider these exciting trends:

? Pets are living longer than ever before. This is a self-perpetuating cycle: pets receive better care…therefore live longer…and older pets require specialized care.

? People are more likely than they used to be to adopt older pets…therefore animal shelters and rescue organizations are more likely to keep these pets available for adoption rather than euthanize them.

? No-kill shelters are also likely to keep available for adoption pets with other special needs…and people are more willing to adopt these than ever before.

The final frontier of opportunity: cats. A growing percentage of pets in America are cats; there are now more cats than dogs in America. Yet, cats are less likely than dogs to get annual care.

And with Americans having busier lifestyles, with fewer (human) children in the family and most people away during the day, this is a trend with no end in sight.

…Which represents an opportunity to put more emphasis on regular cat care.

Bottom line: connect with owner, who connects with the pet.

Your job is to help the owner keep the pet healthy and happy. Encourage the understanding that it's good to establish the relationship before something catastrophic happens.

This will keep your clients bringing their pets to you for regular, preventive care.

It will also establish your reputation as being a vet who cares…and by word-of-mouth advertising from healthy patients and happy clients, your business will grow.

Here are some of the ways you can keep in touch with your clients:
Brochures
Case studies
E-mail campaigns
Instruction manuals
News releases
Newsletters (internal and external)
Sales letters
Trade magazine articles
Web content
White papers
…More

About The Author
Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer with a specialty in business and marketing communications. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in animals. She is also a graduate of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), America's leading course on copywriting. Contact Lisa J. Lehr Copywriting www.ljlcopywriting.com, Lisa@ljlcopywriting.com for help with your business writing needs.
This article ©Lisa J. Lehr 2005.

Pet Care: Learned In Videos

Taking care of our pets is not only our obligation; it is also our way of showing them that we love and care for them. Taking care of your pet does not mean just giving them their meals everyday. Pets have emotions too and they need to be noticed, played with and trained. They need to know that their owners care for them.

There are lots of ways that you can show your care for your pet. For first time owners, you can learn about this ways so that you would be ready when the time comes. There are educational videos that are out in the market that will be of help to the pet owners for their pet's wellness, needs and health. They can show how to care for their pets and give them the attention they need.

Here are the top five educational videos that will show and tell you the proper care for your pets.

1. AT-Touch of Magic for horses

This is a kind of video that will give you a holistic training on how to deal with the body, spirit and mind of the horse. With the help of this video, you will be able to find out the proper way of caring for horses and how you can treat them in case they get sick or if they are feeling something wrong and unusual.

2. The Tellington Touch for Happier, Healthier Cats

This shows and teaches you the different learning techniques in dealing and communicating with cats. This video helps you to understand the sentiments and problems of cats. How they should be pampered and how they should be taken care off.

3. First Aid Pet Emergency: Cat

In here, you will learn different emergency precautions and preventions for your pets. The techniques for first aid actions that should be done in order to revive or provide first aid care of your pet in case they are in danger. With the help of this video, you will not be rattled in case something wrong happens to your pets.

4. First Aid Pet Emergency: Dogs

This is highly recommended by the ASPCA, an award winning video for pet care, most specifically for dogs. In this video, they show the proper safety measures to be done in case your pet is poisoned, injured or they have a medical emergency, like for example they are not eating, keeps on vomiting or has an unusual behavior.

5. The Tellington Touch for Happier, Healthier Dogs

This has an instructional and learning techniques taught in communicating with your dogs. Dogs are man's best friend. So as a good friend, you should be alert and observant on the actions of your pet so that they will not get sick.

These videos will serve as a guide for you so that your pet will always be healthy and in good condition. If your pet is weak and always gets sick this only means one thing, you are not capable of taking care of your pet. This takes dedication and devotion to fully provide the pet its needs.

Every pet owner should be prepared for the big responsibility of having or owning a pet. Through this, you can value the existence of your pet and your pet will love you back in return. Proper pet care would ensure that your pets would be healthy and would provide you with their love and loyalty.

About The Author
John Rivers is the owner of Pet Meds. All you need to know about pets. You will also learn where where to buy ped meds online. http://www.easypetmeds.info.

Pet Care - There's No Other Job Quite Like It

"Pets are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions and they pass no criticisms" said George Eliot about pet animals. Pets often reciprocate the love that their masters lavish on them by demonstrating various forms of affection including licking, hickeys, even love-bites.

There's no other job quite like keeping a pet. Pet care is in fact a permanent job, and includes the very important functions of grooming and striving to maintain good pet health care. General pet supplies could be considered a definition of useful tools for grooming and keeping your pet in good health.

Pet Supplies:

An essential list of pet supplies for purchase could include the following: pet food and food dishes, pet id tags and collars, pet medications, supplements and tonics, etc. Some other items to consider are animal carriers, pet houses and furniture, pet beds, clothes, and pet jewelry.

Online Pet Supplies:

Online pet supplies are supplies that can be purchased from pet stores over the Internet. There are numerous pet grooming product manufacturers and pet-grooming stores selling their products online through their individual official websites.

Pet Grooming supplies:

Pet grooming supplies include items such as grooming clippers, pet hair care products, soaps, shampoo and perfumes.

Pet Health Care:

Pet health care is a very important responsibility of pet ownership. For puppies and kittens, or any other four-legged pets, important treatments would include giving a hygiene bath, cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside of the tongue, nail trimming, removing fleas and insects, and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. A good pet owner should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions.

Pet care can require a lot of patience. Like children, pets often require special attention. A puppy, kitten or any other pet in its infancy needs to be handled with extreme care. In particular they must be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Choosing A Pet:

The process of choosing a pet is very important. Choosing a pet depends on one's preferences, but there are still some important things that should be kept in mind. One should always choose an animal of good breed. Secondly, the pet should be healthy especially if it is still in the initial stage of its life. A healthy young pet shows good fast growth.

Pet Grooming Business:

The pet grooming business is a flourishing business today. There are numerous pet grooming schools offering the equivalent services of a pet grooming professional. People hire the services of these professional experts for the proper grooming of their pets. Professional pet grooming is becoming quite popular in United States, Canada, and European countries.

About The Author
Paul MacIver writes about pets and pet health care. Visit http://www.complete-pet-supplies.info to read more about Pet Care, or http://www.complete-pet-supplies.info/pet-grooming-products.html for info on Pet Grooming, and Pet Supplies. You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed, and bio is included with all links intact.