Sanctuaries/Retirement Homes/Rescues
If you have no one who is willing or able to act as caregiver, consider one of the sanctuaries on our list, who, for a donation or fee, will take the responsibility of finding your pet a loving home. PLEASE NOTE: NB Pet Trusts has not personally investigated any of these sanctuaries, retirement homes or rescues. We strongly recommend that you carefully evaluate any organization you might designate in your NB Pet Trust. If there are no sanctuaries or retirement homes in your area or you are unable to afford the fees, see if there is a rescue which might foster your animal companion until a permanent home can be found. Whichever type of organization you choose, be sure to speak with the people in charge, visit them, see how they interact with animals, evaluate their facilities and ask the tough questions:
- Where will your animal companion be living, whether permanently or temporarily? What are the policies and procedures regarding care?
- Who provides the medical care and is the organization equipped to handle a special needs animal?
- What arrangements can be made if your pet does not adjust to the living situation provided by this organization? For example, if there is a community room and your pet does not do well with other animals, is there an alternate arrangement?
- Will the organization be able to adhere to your pet’s likes and dislikes as you outline them in your NB Pet Trust?
- If you contact a rescue, will your animal companion be placed in a foster home or kept in a kennel? What happens if your pet is not adopted? Is this organization truly no-kill? Many organizations advertise themselves as such, but when pressed there are situations where animals are killed.
- Does this organization have contingency plans in the event it must close down? What are they?
- Can the organization provide references for others who have used their services?
- How much does the organization charge to take responsibility for your animal companion?
- What arrangements must be made in your NB Pet Trust for this organization to be able to assume responsibility for your animal companion?
- Who looks after the animals at this organization? Can you and your animal companion meet some of them?
- What are the policies and procedures regarding placement with a new family? Are there applications and reference checks? Are there follow-up visits to ensure your animal companion is well cared for?