ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR Ensuring Your Pet’s Welfare When You Can’t Presented by: Nancy L. Peterson T HE P ETERSON LAW FIRM, LLC 501 South Cherry Street,

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAREnsuring Your Pet’s Welfare When You Can’t

Presented by:Nancy L. Peterson

THE PETERSON LAW FIRM, LLC501 South Cherry Street, Suite 610

Denver, Colorado 80246303-862-5836

www.petersonlawllc.com

Although the law defines pets as property, most people define their

pets as family members. Therefore, it is important to

protect their well-being in the event of incapacity or death.

“Those of us who think of our pets as family members are quickly learning that one of our responsibilities is to ensure that they are cared for long after we become incapable of doing so. One way to fulfill this responsibility is to set up something

called a pet trust.”

Kim Bressant-Kibwe, Esq.Trusts & Estates Counsel for the

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

“I left money for my dog in my Will.”

$25,000.00Sister, Wendy, to take care of my dog.

$25,000.00 Sister, Wendy

Shelter

Suggested Plan

Microchip Identification

Mobile Apps

AKC Registration

Power of Attorney

Pet Trust or Pet Protection Agreement®

Microchip IdentificationThe American Veterinary Medical Association recommends the use of microchip identification implants for pets to help raise the likelihood that lost pets will be returned to their owners. However, even with a microchip scanner, identifying the correct pet recovery registry to contact can be challenging. To alleviate the guesswork, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool works by checking the databases of participating pet recovery services to determine which has registration information available for a microchip. If the microchip has not been registered, the system will microchip’s default to the microchip’s manufacturer

or distributor.

www.petmicrochiplookup.org Keep registry updated through:

www.petlink.org www.public.homeagain.com

Mobile Apps

TAGG Tagg is essentially a GPS attachment for your dog’s collar, and because of its many features, it can give you peace of mind. The app will track your dog’s activity and send you a message if he or she goes beyond the boundaries you set. Not only that, Tagg allows you to make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise by measuring movement.

PET PHONE The Pet Phone app lets you track your dog’s vet appointments, medications, allergies and food preferences.

AKC Registration

If your pet is in the AKC Reunite database, your name, address and telephone number is linked to your pet’s AKC Registration number. If your pet is microchipped, the microchip number will be linked to the AKC registration number.

The AKC also provides help to pets in harm’s way as a result of a disaster through the AKC Pet Disaster Relief. The AKC Pet Disaster Relief provides local municipalities a resource to shelter pets during disasters.

Power of Attorney

• If the attorney-in-fact or Agent is a different person than your financial attorney-in-fact or Agent, such documents should reference each other.

• Should not be relied on as a long-term solution.

• Discuss with or inform your veterinarian.

• Confirm the whereabouts of the document with your attorney-in-fact or Agent.

A pet trust is a legally enforceable method of providing for the care, maintenance, and well-being of your pet in the event of your disability and/or death. Funds are transferred into an account and distributed over the pet’s remaining life. You can select the beneficiaries of any remaining funds upon the death of your pet.

Pet Trust

How often do you walk your dog?

What is your dog’s favorite food?

Who is your dog’s veterinarian?

Who will take care of your dog?

Who will take care of the expenses?

A Pet Trust Provides Answers to Important Questions

In Colorado, a trust may be created for the care of designated domestic or pet animals and the animals’ offspring in gestation.

Unless the trust agreement provides otherwise, the trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust. The determination of the “animals’ offspring in gestation” is made at the time the designated domestic or pet animals become present beneficiaries of the trust.

Pet Protection Agreement®

The Pet Protection Agreement® is a legally-enforceable document created by Rachel Hirschfeld, Esq. whose purpose is to establish continuing care for all of your animals when you are unable to care for them.

Available online through LegalZoom

Can be utilized in states that do not legally recognize pet trusts or Powers of Attorney for pets

Quick and affordable

Special Thanks!

Briard Rescue TrustGabrielle LaRocheConstance K. HardyDeborah RomeoElke KroenungHeather Gray

Briard Club of America

Briard Rescue and Haven

Questions?