What We Do

Pet Stewardship

Ensuring your pets will be cared for.

We often assume or believe that we will outlive our pets. But unfortunately, that is not always the case. Though it may be unpleasant, it is important for us to have a plan in place in case we are the ones who become ill or incapacitated or pass away before our animal companions do. That way, we ensure our pets receive the care, attention, and accommodations they deserve.

The Paws for Hope Pet Stewardship Program ensures that if or when you are no longer able to care for your pets, they will be adopted into loving and appropriate homes suited to their needs and preferences.

The Pet Stewardship Program involves making a formal arrangement with the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation and we encourage you to seek legal advice as part of this process. A Pet Stewardship Agreement form is available below. You can also make formal arrangements for your companion animals through a will, a Trust, a Power of Attorney or a Personal Representation Agreement to ensure your pet will always be cared for.

The Pet Stewardship Program

How the program works

The Pet Stewardship Program is a formal agreement between you and the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation to provide appropriate care and placement of your companion animal when you pass away or are unable to care for your animal. The terms of the contract are confidential and binding.

The program operates as follows:


  • You sign a Pet Stewardship Agreement with Paws for Hope
  • You complete a care information form about your pet and their needs
  • You bequeath the animal to Paws for Hope
  • Upon your death or severe illness, Paws for Hope takes immediate custody of the animal and places it with a foster family
  • Your estate transfers funds to Paws for Hope
  • A permanent home and caregiver for the pet are found
  • Monitoring visits are arranged
  • Medical care is arranged for the animal’s lifetime

As part of the Pet Stewardship Agreement, Paws for Hope agrees not to euthanize any animals except in cases of disease or severe and dangerous behavioural problems. Paws for Hope also retains the right to remove the pet from the caregiver if necessitated.

Downloads

Send completed documents to Kathy Powelson at [email protected].

The Paws for Hope Pet Stewardship Program is inspired by the Ottawa Humane Society’s excellent Pet Stewardship Program.

How to register

We encourage you to seek legal advice when completing or drafting arrangements with the Paws for Hope Pet Stewardship Program. We have provided a Pet Stewardship Agreement that you can review and use; however, you can also make formal arrangements for your companion animals through a Will, a Trust, a Power of Attorney or a Personal Representation Agreement. A legal professional can help you to decide which is best for you.

Please contact Kathy Powelson at [email protected] if you are interested in joining the Pet Stewardship Program.

Registration process

  • Review the Pet Stewardship Agreement with a legal professional and/or financial advisor
  • Sign the Pet Stewardship Agreement
  • Bequeath your pet(s) to Paws for Hope Animal Foundation in your will
  • Arrange for a future payment to Paws for Hope Animal Foundation in your will, through a life insurance policy, a trust, OR make an outright payment at the time you enrol your companion animal in the Pet Stewardship Program
  • Complete and submit a Pet Stewardship Program Animal Information Sheet for each pet along with a digital photograph
  • Update the Animal Information Sheet and photo on an annual basis
  • Send a copy of the section in your will that refers to the Pet Stewardship Program to:

Paws for Hope Animal Foundation
PO Box 20973
Maple Ridge RPO Square
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 1P7

Sample Language for Bequeathment

The key aspect of the Pet Stewardship Agreement is the transfer of pet ownership the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation. It is very important that the appropriate language be included in your will so that ownership is bequeathed to Paws for Hope. Below is sample language that you can include in your will or insurance policy. Please consult with a legal professional and/or financial advisor during this process.

Sample language for a will
I hereby bequeath to Paws for Hope Animal Foundation (Paws for Hope), PO Box 20973 – Maple Ridge RPO Square – Maple Ridge, BC V2X 1P7 (Registered Charity #846898088RR0001) (the amount of $$$) (or % of the residue of my estate). In the event that there is a companion animal in my home, in my possession or under my control at the time of my death, I give possession of my companion animal(s) to Paws for Hope. I direct my executor to make an advance payment to Paws for Hope, at the time Paws for Hope receives my companion animal(s), which amount should be sufficient to cover companion animal care costs for my companion animal(s) until such time as the bequest mentioned above can be distributed to Paws for Hope. The amount paid as an advance payment to Paws for Hope shall thereafter be credited against the amount I have bequeathed to Paws for Hope.

Sample language for an insurance policy
In the event that there is a companion animal in my home, in my possession or under my control at the time of my death, I give possession of my companion animal(s) to Paws for Hope Animal Foundation (Paws for Hope). To cover the costs associated with caring for my companion animal(s), I declare that I have designated Paws for Hope as the beneficiary of an insurance policy on my life with [name of company], policy number ***. I direct my executor to make a payment to Paws for Hope at the time Paws for Hope receives my companion animal(s), which amount should be sufficient to cover companion animal care costs for my companion animal(s) until such time as the proceeds of the said policy can be distributed to Paws for Hope. The amount paid to Paws for Hope shall be treated as a debt which is repayable to my estate if and when Paws for Hope receives the proceeds of the said policy.

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