Page 40 - Chow Life - 2025 01 Spring

under AKC Downloadable forms) signed by the listing of the emergency contacts. Inside the home
next of kin and notarized will be required for attach a pet emergency packet to the refrigerator,
the next of kin to be able to sign for the or other prominent location. A copy of a
deceased. Upon submission of the Pet Care Durable Power of Attorney
form, he/she may sign for the and/or Pet Trust document (if in
deceased on AKC papers. “ place) should be included.
Everyone should
What if Dogs Need Summary: As difficult as
Placement? have a written plan it may be to think about,
Time is of the essence if there’s a chance your dogs
you die! Establish and for the care for might outlive you or you
confirm who should be die unexpectedly. What
contacted if your dogs their dogs in the happens to pets when their
would need immediate event of an accident, owners die and there is no
care. If necessary, identify plan in place? Thousands
a breed rescue and provide illness, or death of pets are placed in animal
contact information if you do shelters every year when
not have family, friends or club “ their owner passes away. It is
members who would help. Make estimated that the exact number is
sure that health records are available between 100,000 and 500,000 animals
for those assuming care of your dogs. All per year. Of those, roughly 60 percent end
dogs should be microchipped for identification up being euthanized when an adequate home
purposes. cannot be found. Is that the outcome you want for

Your designated caregiver should be trustworthy, your dogs?
responsible, and be able to provide a safe Please plan ahead.
environment. Consider selecting a backup
caregiver as well. Life can be unpredictable and the AKC has a form “In Case of an Emergency”
original caregiver’s circumstances might change (https://images.akc.org>pdf>emergency_info)
and become unable to care for your pet(s).
Print one out for each of your dogs and post.
The responsible individuals should have:
* For breeders who have stored frozen semen,
1) keys to the home and kennel where the dogs include information about care and/or transfer
are housed of ownership in your will and in your emergency
contact packet. There is an AKC “Transfer of
2) your veterinarian’s contact information, Ownership of Frozen Semen” form at AKC
and information provided by you regarding Downloadable forms. You may also want to
permanent care of the animals. consider the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank.

Make sure neighbors, friends, and relatives know There are three forms on the PPB Bequests page
the names and contact numbers of the individuals which may be of interest for those planning
who have agreed to be emergency custodians. dispositions in their estate or other bequests. They
Emergency custodians should also know how to are on the akcppb.org website. https://akcppb.org/
contact each other. bequests/

Post “In Case of Emergency” signs or window ** Please note: The information provided in this
clings on doors or windows with the number article is for general informational purposes only
and type of animals inside. These signs will alert and does not constitute legal advice. You should
emergency responders during a fire or other always consult with a qualified attorney regarding
emergency. any legal matter.

Inside the home and any kennel building post a

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