Report From the Road: Leaving a Legacy for Animals

As the manager of the PETA Foundation’s Planned Giving Department, I have conversations everyday with supporters about how they can use estate planning to leave a legacy for animals. I know some folks might initially shy away from this topic, but it is really one of the most effective ways to make a lasting difference-and it’s not nearly as complicated as you might think.

Recently, I had the chance to talk with a wonderful group of PETA members at our lovely office in Oakland, California. If you are ever in the area, you should visit! There is a terrific view of the lake and good vegetarian eats anywhere you look.

I spoke about the “yellow brick road,” although there were no dancing munchkins or an appearance by the Wicked Witch of the East (however, a couple dogs attended who would give Toto a run for her money in a cuteness competition). The theme referred to the fact that each of us should be developing our vision for a future without us and why, for the sake of our loved ones and those who depend on us, we need to have a clear estate plan (the proverbial “yellow brick road”) that will bring our vision to fruition.

It is hard to believe, but surveys show that only 20 percent (and this number is probably high) of people who share their lives with animal companions have plans in place for their future should their animal companions survive them, and more than 50 percent of the Americans who pass away each year do so without a valid will. Therefore, I focused on two important aspects of estate planning: properly planning for the future of our animal companions and providing for the causes, such as PETA’s critical work for animals, that are dear to us.

As our animals’ guardians, we must develop a plan that identifies one or more people who can at a moment’s notice care for our animals until their permanent homes are arranged. We must identify permanent guardians and compile and maintain current information about our animals. We must keep our temporary caregivers and permanent guardians current on who our animals are and what their needs are. Finally, we must formalize our plans for them in our estate plans, such as through a will, trust, or other legally valid document.

To learn more about planning for your animal companions, check out Scott Anderson’s recent post on the topic. From there, you can also request a copy of our Companion Animal Planning Packet to assist with this process.

And of course, no estate plan would be complete without a charitable gift. So I finished off by discussing how each of us, as part of our estate planning, can also create a legacy of compassion by making provisions for PETA’s work through a planned gift, such as though a will, a trust, a life insurance policy, a retirement plan, or a PETA gift annuity. Not only do these gifts provide significant long-term support for PETA’s work, but the government actually smiles on giving to charities, so there can also be tax advantages for doing so.

As always, being in a room full of PETA members was a lot of fun, and the food (including vegan cupcakes that were out of this world) was fantastic! But the highlight had to be when Barry, with his canine companion sitting patiently on his lap, told the room about the satisfaction that he gets from seeing the work that PETA is able to do because of his donations now and from knowing what PETA will be able to do when his bequest comes. His is a true testament to what each one of us can do for the animals in our lives and the animals who depend on us to speak up for and protect them.

-Posted by guest blogger Tim Enstice. Tim is the director of Planned Giving for the PETA Foundation and can be reached at time@petaf.org.