8th June 2007

Protect Your Pets After Your Death

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It’s not a pleasant subject, but an important one. New research from the RSPCA suggests that around 70,000 pet owners die each year without making arrangements for their pets in their Will.

To tackle this problem, it has launched a free service called Home for Life, that aims to look after pets when their owners pass away.

All pet owners need to do is add a clause to their Will instructing that care of their pets is handed over to the RSPCA when they die, and, should the worst happen, Home for Life will care for your pets at an RSPCA Animal Centre before a suitable new owner can be found.

"Rehoming pets is a vitally important part of the work that the RSPCA does," said Des Lynam, a firm supporter of the RSPCA's Home for Life scheme. "Thanks to the RSPCA pets should continue to enjoy a good home, even after their owners die."

While cats generally live up to 16 years old, some pets are even more likely to outlive older owners. Macaws can live for a staggering 80 years and cockatoos are not far behind with a life expectancy of 70.

No other animal charity finds more homes for pets than the RSPCA - in 2006 it rehomed nearly 70,000 animals. New owners are checked for suitability, to ensure both the pet and the new owner are happy.

Find out more about Home for Life by visiting www.homeforlife.org.uk