Companion animals of seriously ill, elderly, or dying owners face welfare risks when care capacity is reduced or owners die without transition plans.
The welfare of companion animals during owner illness or death is an often overlooked vulnerability. Animals who have been well-cared for throughout their lives can face sudden welfare decline when their owners can no longer provide care. Proactive planning — identifying backup caregivers, establishing pet trusts, working with hospice organizations — prevents the trauma of sudden surrender for animals who may be elderly themselves and poorly suited to shelter environments.