You’d never go a day without feeding your cat, or on vacation without making plans for your dog.
But have you ever thought about the fate of your beloved pets if something unexpected were to happen to you? Provisions for your pet(s) should be included in your will, just like you would if you were appointing a guardian to take care of your children.
Whenever possible, we encourage you to make arrangements with family members or friends to care for your pets in the event that you are no longer able to do so. For information on how to set up a pet guardianship, please email donations@mohawkhumane.org >>
In many instances family and friends are not an option, and we want you to know that you may designate through your will that your animals be entrusted to the care of Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
If you want to designate Mohawk Hudson Humane Society as your pet guardian in your will or trust, you will need to enroll in our Pet Guardianship Program.
1. Have an estate planning attorney draw up a will or trust for you. Mohawk Hudson Humane Society can provide you with a list of attorneys who are certified specialists in estate planning for your convenience.
Have your attorney: Name family members or friends, and if they aren’t available, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society to take your animals upon your permanent incapacity or passing.
The following is suggested language for a will or a trust concerning a pet: I give any pet(s) that I may own at the time of my death to family member/friend. If he/she is unable to provide for my pet(s) I give my pet(s) to family member/friend. If he/she is unable to provide for my pets, I give my pet(s) to Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. I authorize Mohawk Hudson Humane Society to evaluate my pet(s) and determine in its exclusive judgment whether the animal is in a condition to be healthy and treatable. I authorize Mohawk Hudson Humane Society to place my pet(s) in a new home.
*Make sure to inform any family or friends that you have included in your pet guardianship plan that you have done so.*
2. Name Mohawk Hudson Humane Society as a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance or retirement accounts in any amount and provide a copy of the pertinent pages to the Vice President for Development, Whitney Philippi (contact information below).
3. Complete the Pet Guardianship Program Pet Biography Form for each of your animals. These forms are available by contacting us at 518.434.8128 or donations@mohawkhumane.org >>. This information will help Mohawk Hudson Humane Society provide your pet(s) with the best possible new home if that time comes. This information may be updated at any time and we will follow up with you every two years.
4. Keep a copy of the Pet Biography Form with your will or trust, and inform your executor or trustee of the program.
Additional Information
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society does not euthanize healthy or treatable shelter animals, regardless of age or length of stay. We take great pride in placing every healthy or treatable shelter animal left in our care in a safe and loving home.
Please note that this program is for dogs, cats and small animals only. This program is limited to four animals per family. More may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.