Steve’s Mom Mary was not planning on not making it out of the hospital when she checked in for a minor issue. Mary lived alone with a very shy white cat named Cala and they lived together for over five years. Cala is a very skittish cat and hides from people unless they feed her. As a matter of fact you would not know there was a cat in the house when you visited Mary because Cala always hides from visitors.

The only instructions that Mary left with her family was “Do not send Cala to a shelter.” Now it is up to Mary’s family to find another home for Cala. Exactly how long do you think your family will spend finding your pet another good home? You know your family, would they care for your pet while trying to find a forever home for your pet? Or just drop your pet off at a shelter or post on Craig’s list and hand over your pet to the first person who answered their ad?

This is why you need to come up with a short term plan for your pet. It is your pet you need to care for them even after you are no longer able to. Short term plans take care of your pet’s immediate needs. Do you have a friend that would be willing to take care of your pet for a short term until some other arrangements can be made for long term? Get this information written down and where your family can find see it in case.

Of course, Cala could go live with her son but would have to live in the basement because he has a large dog and Cala doesn’t like dogs. Plus would this be the best place for Cala? Would Cala like to spend the rest of her life in a basement? If you have lived with a pet for any length of time you know what they like and what they don’t. Where do you think they want to spend the rest of their lives?

I know Steve and know he will take care of Cala because he feels it is his responsibility to his mother’s memory. Cala is a very lucky cat because she has Steve in her life and Steve has a temporary place he can keep her for a short period of time. Steve will work on finding Cala a forever home because Mary did not make this plan while she could.

If you are the main pet owner it is your responsibility to have a short term plan and a long term plan in place just in case. These plans need to be written down and left for your family, in case you are no longer in the picture. These plans would make it easier for your family but more importantly It will be your Pet’s Future!