Do you ever worry about who will be there for your beloved furry family members if you can’t? Where will your pet go if something happens to you?
Seattle Humane’s Pet Guardian Program is a service for Seattle Humane supporters who wish to entrust their companion animals to Seattle Humane in the event of their incapacity or death.
For a one-time fee of $1,000, an individual or family can enroll as members in the program. This membership covers up to five cats, dogs and small critters; remains in effect during the lifetime of the enrollee; and includes any animals they own at the time of their death.
In return for enrolling in the Pet Guardian Program, Seattle Humane will:
- Provide microchipping for the pets.
- Pick up the animal within a 100-mile radius of Seattle Humane’s Bellevue campus and transport to Seattle Humane, if requested.
- Contact Pet Guardian Program members annually to update our files regarding the pets in their household.
- Take pets immediately upon death.
- Keep pets together, including a dog and a cat, when requested, if beneficial for the animals.
- Place the pets in a foster home when requested or if they are not doing well at the shelter.
- Take as long as necessary to place adoptable pets into appropriate loving homes.
Your enrollment fee may be considered a tax-deductible contribution, minus any fees for microchipping services provided at the time of enrollment.
Enrollment
To enroll in the program, please complete the enrollment form and the pet information form and mail to:
Seattle Humane
13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005
Attn: Pet Guardian Program
or scan and email to plannedgiving@seattlehumane.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to help! If you don’t see the answer to your question below, please feel free to reach out to plannedgiving@seattlehumane.org.
The lifetime enrollment fee for a household is $1,000. Will this cover only the animals I have now, and will I need to pay again if I get additional pets?
This enrollment fee will cover up to five companion animals in your household at the time of your death. This includes dogs, cats and small critters. If you have farm animals, horses or other livestock, please be sure to make other arrangements for them since they are not included in our adoption program.
If I name Seattle Humane’s Pet Guardian Program (PGP) as the secondary name in case the first person I identify in my will or trust is unable or unwilling to care for my animals, do I need to pay the enrollment fee up front?
No, you may include conditional language in your will or trust stating that if the person/people you have identified to provide care are unable to do so, the animals in your household are to be enrolled in PGP upon your death. The enrollment fee will need to be paid by your estate or your heirs. However, some time may pass between your death and when the enrollment fee is paid by your estate or heirs, during which the animals may not necessarily be cared for. To ensure the animals receive care and are immediately taken into the PGP, we suggest that the fee be paid up front.
I would like to enroll in the program, but I cannot pay the $1,000 in one lump sum. Is there a way to pay over time?
Yes, our staff can work with you to come up with a payment plan over time.
If I enroll in the program but do not end up needing it, can I get a refund?
No. We will still offer you microchipping and services at the time of your enrollment. Because we are not offering substantial material benefits at the time of your enrollment, the $1,000 fee will be considered a charitable contribution (minus any microchipping fees).
If PGP is named as the secondary caretaker of a pet trust, and becomes the caretaker in the case that the primary caretaker is unable to serve, what happens to the funds in the trust?
We will work with your legal counsel to ensure your wishes are followed. If you would like the funds to go to Seattle Humane to benefit companion animals, please be sure to use our legal name and federal tax identification number in your documents (The Humane Society for Seattle/King County, Tax ID# 91-0282060). If you wish for the funds from the trust to be distributed from your estate to the person who adopts your pet(s), please indicate that in your trust documents. Please note that you should also designate a remainder beneficiary for your trust. This beneficiary may be any person or charitable organization you name.
Can I designate that my pet will go straight into foster care instead of going through the shelter?
All animals who go through PGP will be evaluated when they arrive at Seattle Humane by the veterinary staff, behavior team and adoption department to determine immediate steps. If medical care is needed, the animal will be provided care. If the animal is healthy and adoptable, it will be placed into the adoption program. Your desires set forth on the enrollment form will be honored as reasonably possible, including placing your pets directly into foster care.
If I die and my heirs who will care for my pet or pet caretaker as determined by the will are unable to take the pet immediately, can Seattle Humane help in the interim?
Seattle Humane no longer offers boarding services for dogs. In the event that temporary care of the pet is needed, please contact your preferred pet sitter or boarding facility and make sure your will designates your wishes. Your estate and heirs will be responsible for the charges incurred. The only way Seattle Humane can help in this situation is if you have named PGP as the secondary pet caretaker and have paid the enrollment fee up front.
What if I change my mind and decide to leave my animal to someone else?
Membership in PGP entitles you to the program services but does not require that you use these services. However, the membership fee is not refundable should you change your plans.
