(In Case of Injury or Death) LegalZoom Offers Pet Protection Agreements: Reasonable or Ridiculous?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2012/09/23 22:20:42

Related Topics: Pets, Pet Protection Agreement, LegalZoom, Injury Death, Animals, Owners, Dependents

241 votes
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	Reasonable	194 votes	80%
	Ridiculous	47 votes	20%

In the case of injury or death, are you confident that your pet would be well taken care of? Now, with the help of LegalZoom, you can plan for your pet’s future as though your animal were a real dependent.

62% of American households own pets and their owners collectively spend $53 billion on them a year (according to the American Pet Products Association). However, as things stand now, pets are considered property under the law. As a result, in the event that you are no longer able to care for your pet, you can’t be sure that the furry friend you love like a family member will be cared for adequately. In fact, your children or spouse may take your precious animal straight to the shelter.

If you want to ensure your pet’s future, you may want to consider a Pet Protection Agreement through which you can identify guardians for your pets, list their caregivers (such as veterinarians or groomers), specify dietary and medication needs, and even leave funds for their care.

What do you think SodaHeads? Are Pet Protection Agreements reasonable or ridiculous?

+12

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Anonymous Loner 2012/09/24 02:45:22

Reasonable

+11
Pets are like family members. Not ridiculous at all.

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More polls by SodaHead Living

MayLin 2012/09/26 05:03:51 (edited)

Reasonable

It's the right thing do if you love your pet.

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Muver 2012/09/25 20:51:07

Reasonable

+1
This is the thing thoughtful people should do...I fear lots of pets are dumped after a loved one passes on...the family can't take care of the pet, and don't want to or can't be bothered finding a home for the poor thing, who is suffering a loss as well...

Responsible pet owners should always do this...accidents happen and a pet could be left..this is not just for the elderly...

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KCMamabear 2012/09/25 16:27:30

Reasonable

+1
It;s the only way to guarantee they're taken care of. Otherwise you're relying on someone's word, and I'm sure everyone knows how reliable that is.

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Lucy 2012/09/25 03:25:03

Reasonable

Absolutely vital unless you want you pet to go to a shelter. I have legal instructions that my 13 year old dog must be euthanized immediately if my husband and I die together. She would be miserable if she had to go to a shelter or a stranger. Now, my cats are young so they can go to someone who wants them.

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Torchy 2012/09/25 01:11:43

Reasonable

+1
It's something that you've loved and cared for and it should be accommodated for if you pass away just as much, if not more so, than any other possession. I wouldn't want certain family members of mine to inherit my pet; I would certainly set up something that gives my pet a loving environment.

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Adam 2012/09/24 22:02:36

Reasonable

+1
If you want to spend money on your pets well being while it's alive, then its just as rational to ensure its well being in case you die. Sure, I don't want to spend money on this, but that's why I don't have a pet.

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Rachel 2012/09/24 21:57:57

Reasonable

+1
A pet is dependent family member, and, just like I would want my children (don't have any yet, but one day...) looked after if I were to die, I would want to ensure that my pets are well cared for. It hurts to think of all the pets that end up strays or are taken to the shelters after their owners pass - warm and safe at home one day, and the next having their whole world upturned and all their safety and understanding destroyed. Many even end up euthanized depending on their health, temperament, and the capacity of the shelters. Breaks my heart. T_T

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boredcolliedogBringMarianne... 2012/09/24 21:02:33

Reasonable

+3
If anyone even attempted to take my fur kids to the shelter after I die, I will haunt them to their graves and beyond!!!

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Muver to boredco... 2012/09/25 20:52:43

+2
me too!!! And I have told all my family members this...if you can't keep them, you must find them a home...and I believe they will..

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boredco... to Muver 2012/09/25 21:24:29

+2
I've already been through this fire drill when I was going through chemo and my doggy daycare stepped up to the plate without even asking. They knew my situation was iffy and they came to me and gave me the game plan. God I love those people! They totally took the stress away! My family are all dog lovers too, so I know my girls would be taken care of no matter what. It feels so good to have those bases covered! :)

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Joy Buchanan 2012/09/24 20:22:21

Reasonable

+1
100% Reasonable... Pets are aslo important for some People... Such as blind to guide them through. And many other invalid people... And they are a loving company....

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Piperpc 2012/09/24 20:20:58

Reasonable

+2
They ARE "real" dependents, and making secure arrangements for animal companions is far from ridiculous.

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Flamingolady 2012/09/24 19:23:28

Reasonable

+2
I wish we had this for our greenwinged macaw that died. We spent so much money, time and were in such pain when he was sick. To have had this would have been a blessing.

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Muver to Flaming... 2012/09/25 20:54:57

+1
This is for If you pass away, there are then legal papers on file, to care for or have proper arrangements made for your pet after YOUR death...

And I am so sorry for your loss....it is just way to painful to lose a loved pet...

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the judgebigdogeagle 2012/09/24 18:46:07

Reasonable

+1
Too many Dog Haters will ship a dog to his death than not care for it after its original owner was dead.

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Tennessee3501 2012/09/24 18:15:53 (edited)

Reasonable

However, instead of using "Legal Zoom", we should use real lawyers and pay the going fees. They have to make a living too! How else can they pay back their student loans?

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RTHTGakaRoland 2012/09/24 18:04:08

Reasonable

+2
Reasonable, but one would be better advised to do this as part of a will or trust that would determine the disposition of the entire estate and be more certain to stand under probate laws.

Dogs and horses because of their special places in Western Cultures and many of our hearts are the obvious choices for some type of legal protection like this, but for those who are bird or tortoise (Some species live longer than any human.) owners their long lifespans certainly present special concerns.

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alex 2012/09/24 17:22:00
lynn 2012/09/24 16:41:40

Reasonable

+2
Until the human race evolves sufficiently to realise that no sentient, living being is mere "property", options such as this are not only a good thing, but very wise.

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♌βļąƈʞƦơșƐ3033♌ 2012/09/24 16:30:45

Reasonable

+1
Damn good idea in my opinion. My BF wouldn't take care of Trace if something happened to me. My dad and stepmom would though.

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Mike 2012/09/24 15:35:52

Reasonable

+1
pets are almost like your kids unless you are

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RTHTGak... to Mike 2012/09/24 17:49:12

+2

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Mike to RTHTGak... 2012/09/24 17:51:08
HOMBRE to Mike 2012/09/24 17:49:44

+3

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Waiting in the Wings 2012/09/24 13:50:49

Reasonable

+1
It also responsible pet parenting as I'd hate to add to the numerous pets who are in desperate need of a home and the many who are put to sleep every year. I'd also want to make sure that the person loves animals or at least loves my dog.

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acacia86 2012/09/24 12:27:53

Reasonable

I always knew my Dad would look after any children I had if I had to go somewhere or if something happened to me (I'm childless) but I also knew he'd look after any pets that I had as well. My first kitty girl had to be put to sleep last month... and Dad passed away Oct 2011. So, with that in mind I have a kitty boy who'd need someone to look after him. he's just a kitten. I'm thinking my one cousin who loves cats would be a good candidate.

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DANNY59 2012/09/24 12:26:24

Reasonable

+2
I think every living thing should be treated with the utmost kindness and respect. I don't even kill a bug if it happens to come into my house, so I certainly couldn't treat a pet with anything but the best care I could manage, whether I'm dead or alive.

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★earthbound_misfit★ 2012/09/24 12:08:06

Reasonable

+1
Good idea.

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PoliticalSanity 2012/09/24 12:06:32

Reasonable

+1
Financial provision for my dogs' (3) care is in my will already.

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Zuggi to Politic... 2012/09/24 15:25:14

Reading the article, it looks like there's an issue with using a will; if the will is contested everything grinds to a halt. Now, that's not a particularly likely circumstance for most people, but you should probably consider it if you have a turbulent family or a couple of billion in the bank (the nicest folks will fight for a share of a couple billion).

But in 99% of cases, a will provision would work.

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DizziNY 2012/09/24 11:37:29

Reasonable

+1
I love my cat way more than I like people so yea I think making sure your cat/dog will be taken care of after you're gone is a great idea.

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Lady Whitewolf 2012/09/24 11:05:34

Reasonable

+1
Sounds OK to me!

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CrazyJason 2012/09/24 09:29:17 (edited)

Reasonable

+4
I think that's really nice

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El Prez 2012/09/24 08:53:26

Reasonable

+2
Some provision has to be made for pets.!

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timothy.hill.14 2012/09/24 08:27:24

Reasonable

+2
I think this shows evidence of a conscientious mind at work. Sadly far too many people in the world consider their pet disposable not unlike the guy in Colorado who left his dog on a mountain to die recently. I do wish however that people would refrain from taking their pet's to the grocery with them. That's not hygienic not polite unless it's a service animal.

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addie 2012/09/24 05:52:22

Reasonable

+5
I am responsible for her, she cannot take care of herself, of course I know who can step in if it is needed!

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Resp 2012/09/24 05:01:27

Reasonable

+6
I don't want my pet left alone or sent to a shelter.

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Lady Wh... to Resp 2012/09/24 11:06:14

+1
SO SO agree.

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Bob DiN 2012/09/24 04:54:13

Ridiculous

some people got overboard.

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Omni to Bob DiN 2012/09/24 05:50:23

+1
wat

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