I'm of a certain age now where I need to think about this.

I have two cats aged 4 and 8. They both have lifelong illnesses which are controlled by prescription diet and medication. They are both insured and covered for all expenses for their illnesses. The nature of their illnesses (not related) means they must be indoor cats. Since they both went through hell ... blood tests, drips, operations, etc and subsequent diagnosis they are the two happiest indoor cats and could both have another 10 or more years to go.

What if they outlive me?

I want to put something in my will to keep them in the only house they've ever lived in, keep them on the same food/medication and transfer insurance to whoever takes this on.

Is this crazy?

I actually want to put a clause in that they remain in the house for their remaining years, the insurance, proper medication and diet is continued (out of my estate).

Has anyone done similar or have experience, I also have a dog, but he is so sound and would live with anyone.

Thank you in advance.

All those things will depend on who gets the house. Is it owned outright or council, HA or anything like that. It would also depend on your health as if you go into a nursing home you may well have to sell it to pay fees etc

That's a great idea OP if you own your own home it should be possible to leave a trust or something to do it, I think you need a solicitor to word it all properly and someone who you could trust to live in the house and carry on caring for them as you wish.

That is correct. Should you need to go into a home, and your savings run out, your house would need to be sold to cover cost of home care.
Possibly, you would also need someone to move into your house with the cats - unless you want the cats to stay there alone, and just be tended to. You would then need to leave a lot more money to continue paying utility bills for your home.

I had a verbal agreement in place. My aged friend had a dog. The dog had 3 different prescriptions monthly, plus check ups and blood tests etc. Then there was boosters, worming, flea treatment, food.. An expensive dog to keep.

I was going to care for the dog, for the rest of his life, should anything happen to it's owner. As the dog was only 4 yrs old, I could have had him for 10+ yrs. (I've got his dog's sister, same litter) I would help towards the cost, but couldn't possibly cover it all.

The dog would have moved in with me. No problem, I would certainly have honoured our agreement. Unfortunately, his dog died, aged just 7..

So I think, if you have someone in mind who you know you cant trust, I'd go down that route.

Good luck to you, I really hope you work it out.

Hi.

I live by myself and have no family now my husband has died. I have an official will drawn up (it is with my solicitors) and I have a copy on my mantel. I have left my house and all my assets to the PDSA (after my Solicitors have dealt with my estate), on the proviso that they re home any pets in my home. There's lots of information written into my will ensuring they are looked after and will be kept in the custom they are used to.

I set the will up with the help of the PDSA's legal team so it is watertight. I was given a Rehoming Form to fill in stating my pets have all been vaccinated, (they wanted to see photo copies of the vaccination certificates), their names, breed, species ect. I have kept a copy and a copy was returned to the PDSA.

Ring the PDSA and ask about their re homing policy - I don't know whether they will do this if you haven't assets to leave them but it's worth a try - I think they will regardless.

It's termed by the PDSA as Legacies.

My deal with the PDSA has removed all worry regarding my much loved pets and any new additions are added to the list with new forms to fill in.

I hope you work something out, good luck; if you need any more information, just ask me.

OP you should see a solicitor really as it is possible to gift a house or money before you die so if it was gifted it they could not take it for fees.

that's not as straightforward as you imagine I'm afraid. You would have to gift X amount over consecutive years and there needs to be a gap of X amount of years prior to you dying or being admitted to care home otherwise they can and do request the amount back as its a form of tax evasion (?) I think.

Why do you think I am saying see a solicitor ? only someone with proper knowledge can advice properly ! I am not sure all the rules I do know people who have done it though.

Your post made it sound quite straight forward I was just saying it is not as straightforward as one would like...but i won't answer In future if you're going to take umbrage and be funny about it