Pet Guardianship Program
At San Diego Humane Society, we know that pets are not merely animal companions, they are members of your family.
Provisions for your pet(s) should be included in your will or living trust, just like you would if you were appointing a guardian to take care of your children.
We know that it is not always possible to make private arrangements with family members or friends to care for your pets, and we want you to know that you may designate through your will or trust that your animals be entrusted to the care of San Diego Humane Society.
San Diego Humane Society does not euthanize healthy or treatable animals, and takes great pride in placing every healthy or treatable animal left in our care.
How to Enroll
- Have an estate planning attorney draw up a will or trust for you. Provide your attorney with the brochures Estate Planning With San Diego Humane Society in Mind and Pet Guardianship. San Diego Humane Society can provide you with a list of attorneys who are certified specialists in estate planning for your convenience.
Have your attorney: Name family members or friends, and if they aren’t available, San Diego Humane Society to take your animals upon your permanent incapacity or passing.
The following is suggested language for a will or a trust concerning a pet: I give any pet(s) that I may own at the time of my death to family member/friend. If he/she is unable to provide for my pet(s) I give my pet(s) to family member/friend. If he/she is unable to provide for my pets, I give my pet(s) to San Diego Humane Society. I authorize San Diego Humane Society to evaluate my pet(s) and determine in its exclusive judgment whether the animal is in a condition to be healthy and treatable. I authorize San Diego Humane Society to place my pet(s) in a loving home. - Name San Diego Humane Society as a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance, or retirement accounts in any amount. A legacy gift ensures the future of all homeless animals.
- Complete the Pet Guardianship Program Pet Biography Form for each of your animals.
These forms are available by contacting Joseph Passaretti at 619.243.3443, or JPassaretti@sdhumane.org. First, provide the pertinent documents demonstrating that San Diego Humane Society is a charitable beneficiary, and then we will provide the Pet Biography Form. The information you supply will help San Diego Humane Society provide your pet(s) with the best possible new home. This information can be updated at any time and we will follow up with you every two years. - Keep a copy of the Pet Biography Form with your will or trust and inform your executor or trustee of the program.
Restrictions
Please note that this program is for dogs, cats and small animals only. This program is limited to four animals per family. More may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.