Gift of Life

Animal Aid’s Gift of Life program is designed to give you peace of mind that your cats will be well taken care of in the event something should happen to you. Cat guardians can sign up for the program where they bequeath their cat(s) to Animal Aid to be cared for and rehomed, while also providing a bequest to Animal Aid as part of their estate. Guardians can be rest assured that their cats will be lovingly cared for, provided full veterinary care, and rehomed into loving families. 

 

“When we adopted our two kittens, I was concerned about whether they would outlive my husband and me.  We have no close family near us and few friends that would be able to undertake additional pets in their lives.  In my dealings with Animal Aid, I have always been impressed with the level of care they provide the animals in their care as well as how thoughtful they are in pairing animals with the right people for them.  Pippa and Poppy are a bonded pair and I can rest assured that Animal Aid will see that they remain together.  Peace of mind about my precious fur babies is something I feel is truly priceless.” – Gift of Life Participant

Contact our Executive Director at director@animalaidpdx.org or 503-292-6628 to learn more or enroll in this program. 

Please note, this program is currently limited to cats. We hope someday to extend this program to include dogs, but at this time we do not have the resources to be able to immediately intake dogs into our foster-based program. 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between the Gift of Life and the Endowment? 
    • The Gift of Life program is where cat guardians can bequest their cat(s) to Animal Aid at the time of their passing. The Endowment is a fund where contributions are kept and invested, a portion of those funds are available for Animal Aid to receive each year to help cover general operating expenses. Learn more about the Endowment at https://www.animalaidpdx.org/endowment-fund/.
  • What if the animal passes before me? 
    • If your cat passes and you do not get a new one, please let us know so we can update our files and remove you from the program. Any financial gift bequeathed to Animal Aid would support general operating expenses.
  • What if my animal passes and I get a new one?
    • In this case, you can change the cat(s) associated with the Gift of Life program, more details will be provided when you enroll in the program. 
  • What is the minimum gift? 
    • There is a $100 enrollment fee per pet due when the application is complete. Please email our Executive Director (director@animalaidpdx.org) to schedule a time to discuss the additional bequest financial expectations associated with this program. 
  • What would happen to my cat when it got to Animal Aid?
    • After coordinating with your estate to receive the cats, they would be placed in the shelter or a loving foster home (depending on capacity and the cats’ needs). They would receive loving care while our team got to know them (veterinary and lots of love from our volunteers), before being put up for adoption. Animal Aid is a no-kill shelter, with a thorough adoption process, focusing on the best match for the cat and adopter. 
  • Where does the money go?
    • The initial enrollment fee and estate bequest go into our general operating revenue. This helps cover the cost of care for cats enrolled in the program as well as the other animals in our care. Animal Aid’s top expense is veterinary care and support from our donors make it possible to give top quality care to our cats and dogs. 
  • I adopted my cat from Animal Aid. Do I need to sign up? 
    • No. All cats and dogs adopted from Animal Aid have a lifetime commitment (return policy) – they will always have a safe place with our organization. 
    • It is important that you make it clear to the people who would manage your estate to contact Animal Aid immediately in the event of your passing. 
  • Can I enroll my dog? 
    • No. This program is currently limited to cats. We hope someday to extend this program to include dogs, but at this time we do not have the resources to be able to immediately intake dogs into our foster-based program. 
  • I adopted my dog from Animal Aid. Will you take them back if I pass before them? 
    • Yes. All cats and dogs adopted from Animal Aid have a lifetime commitment (return policy) – they will always have a safe place with our organization. 
    • It is important that you make it clear to the people who would manage your estate to contact Animal Aid immediately in the event of your passing.

Pin It on Pinterest