When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animals Companions After You Die
David Congalton & Charlotte Alexander
The authors decided to write this book after the devastation of 9/11 in New York City. In addition to the tremendous loss of human loss life, thousands of animal companions were left alone in empty apartments and homes, with many having no one to
care for them. David Congalton and Charlotte Alexander were haunted by the realization that unless you prepare for your pet’s well-being after you died, they could end up abandoned—or worse, euthanized.
This is an easy-to-use resource guide to help pet owners realize the importance of planning ahead and protecting beloved animal companions in the event they die before their pets. This is the first book to address this issue at length, combining personal stories with step-by-step information on how to prepare today, including creating a pet identification system, choosing an emergency caretaker, and putting together a legal pet trust.
The authors have researched the subject thoroughly, drawing extensively on both primary and secondary sources to provide up-to-date information. This book also offers a complete report on relevant state statutes and important court decisions affecting people and their pets..
In addition, there is a complete report on relevant state statutes, sample legal forms, important court decisions related to people and their pets, and an extensive resource section listing long- term care programs and animal sanctuaries nationwide.
Read Three Cats, Two Dogs: One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss by David Congalton
Praise
Finally! Two gifted writers have tackled the subject no one wants to face—what’s to become of our pets if they outlive us. Without ponderous legalese, Congalton and Alexander provide the definitive word on specific ways to protect your pet from becoming a sad statistic. Compelling case histories send home the powerful message: Pet owners must plan ahead for that eventuality. To do so, caring pet owners must own this valuable book.
Every pet lover should read this book. This is the best how-to book on planning for the care of animal companions I have found. It really puts into perspective how much our non-human family members depend on us to ensure their safety and well-being even after our deaths. Planning for the care and love of our pets in the event of our death is just a small return for all the unconditional love they give us.
When Your Pet Outlives You shines a bright, positive light on a subject most of us rarely think about—what happens to our pets if we should die first. Whether you share your life with a cat, dog, parrot, or gecko, you’ll learn that where there is a “will,” there is a way to protect your beloved pet long after you’re gone. Packed with practical guidelines and fascinating true tales, this groundbreaking book is destined to be an important, inspiring reference tool for years to come.
This book is written with both compassion and wisdom. The authors finally address a long overdue and neglected issue—what happens to our beloved pets if we die first? With a soulfully stirring narrative, Congalton and Alexander tenderly show the reader, step-by-step, how to protect their beloved pets after they are gone. This book reflects the immutable grace and resiliency that is the hallmark of the human/animal bond. This is one book that I highly recommend!
You never know what is going to happen when you leave for work or play on any given day. We never think about death, but are your pets taken care of if that happens to you? Well, after reading this book, mine are! When Your Pet Outlives You is a book that all pet lovers need to read, young or old!
A forthright, thought-provoking book that encourages a pro-active approach to a subject we may prefer to avoid.
About The Authors
David Congalton is an award-winning radio talk show host in San Luis Obispom California, as well as an author, screenwriter and animal welfare advocate. His first book, Three Cats, Two Dogs, One Journey Through Multiple Pet Loss was published by NewSage Press in 2000. This book won the 2001 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award for Best Writing from the Dog Writers Association of America. Congalton hosts a popular radio talk show, which airs daily in Central California. He also wrote the screenplay for the major motion picture, Authors Anonymous, based in part on his experiences as a writer.
Charlotte Alexander is a freelance writer, editor, and animal welfare advocate. She has been president of the North County Humane Society in Atascadero, California. In 1998, Alexander was selected as Woman of the Year from her California State Senate District. Her feature articles have appeared in the San Luis Obispo County Journal. Alexander has taught public relations and broadcast writing at the college level and is an award-winning, publications, editing, marketing, and public relations specialist. In 2016 she became operations manager for the 5Cities Homeless Coalition. She lives on the Central Coast in California.
