Peace of Mind Program
As a member of the Animal Legacy Society of North Carolina, you have the option to enroll in our Peace of Mind pet guardianship program. In the event of your death, members of the Legacy Society can find reassurance in knowing the SPCA of Wake County will provide transitional care and find a permanent, loving home for your pets.
Most of us anticipate outliving our animal companions. But what if your pets survive you? Our beloved animal companions have given us so much: unconditional love, joy, comfort, and unfailing friendship. Preparing for their safety and security in the event of our absence is a difficult but important act in this lifelong friendship.
Regardless of whether your beloved companion is a dog, cat, or rabbit, the SPCA of Wake County can help you plan for their welfare should they outlive you. In North Carolina, as in most states, you cannot leave money directly to your pets. However, with SPCA’s unique Peace of Mind Program, you can make provisions for the care and adoption of your surviving pets through your will or other estate documents.
By enrolling in the Peace of Mind program and making a planned gift to the SPCA you have our promise to immediately receive, care for, and place into new homes your surviving pets. Your companion animals depend on you to meet their needs; if you are no longer able to do so, the SPCA promises to provide the comfort, care, and compassion all pets should receive.
If you are interested in our Peace of Mind program, we have provided a notification form for our Animal Legacy Society of North Carolina, as well as a pet bio form. Please download it here. Please consult with your attorney and/or financial advisor prior to enrolling as this program is not a pet trust. The goal of the Peace of Mind program is to offer you the reassurance of rehoming your pet through adoption by finding them a suitable and loving home.
Below, we have provided some sample language regarding the Peace of Mind program.
Some individuals opt to include this directly in their will, and others reference the document outside of the will due to the changing nature of the number of pets in their care and the manner in which the pets will find their way to the SPCA of Wake County.
Please provide the following sample language to your attorney and/or financial planner to include within your will, trust or other estate papers to direct a planned gift to the SPCA of Wake County and provide for the welfare of your surviving pets.
The suggested language can be modified to meet your specific needs or situation. It is extremely helpful to then provide a copy of whatever language is used to the SPCA of Wake County in order for us to review and to prepare for your pets if/when the situation arises. Please forward any/all pertinent information to Planned Giving, SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Sample Language:
I wish to provide for the care and welfare of any and all pets that I own at the time of my death. It is my desire that they live the balance of their lives in a stable home environment. Accordingly, I give, devise, and bequeath my pets to my spouse. If my spouse does not survive me:
1. I give, devise, and bequeath my pets to The SPCA of Wake County, Inc., a nonprofit corporation (the “SPCA of Wake County”) 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603, EIN 56-0891732, to be received by the SPCA of Wake County under the auspices of its Peace of Mind program.
2. In gratitude for caring for my pets, and to support the SPCA of Wake County’s programs and services, I devise and bequeath [insert description of bequest] to the SPCA of Wake County to be used for its general operations, or as so designated by its board of trustees.
3. I request that the SPCA of Wake County arrange for the permanent placement of my pets in a suitable home through the SPCA of Wake County’s pet adoption program. I understand, however, that adoption may be precluded if a pet is seriously ill or injured, has a vicious temperament, or for any other reason would be a danger to an adopter or the public.
4. In any event, I request that my pets be cared for and treated as household pets and receive all reasonable care; provided, however, that, in the event of serious illness or injury, I do not desire that extraordinary means be used to prolong their lives; and provided further that the SPCA of Wake County may euthanize any pet determined by the SPCA of Wake County, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be seriously ill or injured, to have a vicious temperament, or to be a danger to an adopter or the public for any other reason.
Please note: you must notify the SPCA of Wake County upon enrolling in this program so that we may have your information and your pet’s information on file.