THE RESCUER'S LAST RESCUE

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Welcome!

The Rescuer's Last Rescue was created to help animal lovers by caring for their animals after their owner has passed. 

This rescue isn’t going to be for everyone, but it is going to be for pet owners who don’t want to leave the responsibility of caring for their pets to friends and family. 

 

The rescue currently does not have a facility capable of housing a large number of pets or livestock. Not yet anyway. Starting out, the rescue will only be able to care for pets in their home while their owner is in the nursing home or after their owner has passed and made an agreement with the rescue. In home care is less stressful for the animals and allows their true personality and needs to be seen sooner by caretakers. 

 

How is the rescue going to do that?

Legally. Owners will need to set up their estate in one of two ways. The owner can donate their residential estate to the rescue-which can then be used as a home base for the rescue or be used to help the rescue purchase property that can safely accommodate larger numbers and different types of animals. OR the owner can set up their will to give their pets a lifetime right to live in their home under the rescue's care. This enables our rescue to accept pets from ANY state in the US.

 

How long does the rescue expect the pets to stay in the owner’s home?

The primary goal for this rescue is to find each pet a loving forever home. This will be done when the pet is ready. Pets grieve their owner's passing just like humans. Some will need more time than others but each pet will given the amount of time they need.

 

Where will the pets go after leaving the owner's home?
That depends on the owner's wishes and each pet's needs. Each pet will have a detailed file the owner has given the rescue in order to properly place and care for the pets. Some pets will have an easy time finding a new family. Other pets may need to spend time with a foster to work on behavioral issues or training. Pets with disabilities or special needs may go to an adopter or sanctuary familiar with the care they need. Elderly pets may go to an adopter or senior rescue to live out their final days surrounded by loving caretakers. Pets with failing health may need to be kept in comfort and then assisted in crossing the rainbow bridge from the comfort of their owner's home.

 

What types of pets will the rescue take?

Anything that is legal to own.

Pets that are not legal due to a wildlife status or local ordinances will be taken to trusted wildlife sanctuary/rehab or rehomed in an area where they can be legally owned pets.

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What would normally happen to pets without a rescue agreement like this?

 When a pet owner passes away, their animals are taken into custody by animal control unless a family member is available to take custody. If an owner leaves behind a large number of pets that are taken into a shelter, that intake can be devastating to a shelter. Space usually needs to be made for the owner’s pets. If an owner’s family member surrenders the pets to a shelter, the shelter may legally be allowed to euthanize the pets the same day. It is never easy on the shelter staff to be put in that position.

 

Keep in mind, these things happen IF the pet owner’s city or county has animal control. In some places without animal control, local rescues are called. Other times, friends, family, sometimes even police officers become overwhelmed and leave a door or window open for the animals to "have a chance" in the wild. 

 

What will the rescue do besides care for an owner’s pets inside their home?

Whatever needs to be done. The rescue will transport pets to family members living in other states and help introduce them to any pets already in the home. Helpful tips and information will also be shared with family members to help them care for their new pet. If a family member agrees to take a pet and for whatever reason the pet needs to be rehomed, the rescue will take care of that. If the owner wishes to financially care for a pet being rehomed to family but prefers the rescue to fund that care through a pet food delivery service, like Chewy-that can be done. There’s a lot of final wishes that can be accommodated.

 

The driving force in starting this rescue is to help those who have given so much to care for animals. This rescue was created wanting to be able to give back to animal lovers. The peace of knowing our animals will be loved and cared for after we are gone is the best gift we as animal lovers can be given.

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This rescue will only accept animals from owners who have planned a partnership with this rescue. And as much as we all wish rescues could run on love, care, and compassion alone, they can’t. That’s why this rescue must be an owner funded rescue. Funds may transfer to other rescues or friends and family members who agree to take some or all pets. It truly depends on the wishes and agreement with the owner. That does not mean you need to live in a 6-bedroom 3-bathroom house for the rescue to accept your animals. If you live in a tent on 4-acres but have a barn in good enough shape to house your 45 altered cats, that’s enough for the rescue to work with.

 

 ​If you have any questions or know someone who might need this rescue in the future-please reach out.

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We're in this together, 

 

Meghan Harville

   

Meghan Harville

Founder, Board President

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