RSPCA’s Home for Life

Many people worry about what will happen to their pets when they die. Now the RSPCA has launched Home for Life which is a free service where they will do all they can to find a new, loving home for your pet if you should die.

Too many cats and dogs are left homeless after their owners pass away. Now you can ensure they’re properly looked after should anything happen.

Click here to find out more or take a look at the questions which are frequently asked about Home for Life:

Q  What happens when I die – how does the RSPCA find out?
Once you use our Home for Life service you should let your friends, family or neighbours know that you want the RSPCA to take in your animals in the event of your death. We also provide a wallet card, which can be kept with you at all times – it has a telephone number to call.

Q  What happens when I die – what is the procedure?
As soon as we are informed that someone who has used Home for Life has died, our Legacy administration department will get in touch with your regional RSPCA office, who will collect your pet or pets as a matter of urgency. The animals will be taken to the nearest RSPCA Animal Centre, or other suitable accommodation, while we set about doing all we can to find them a loving new home. In addition, every animal coming into our care gets a health check. For most pets that includes vaccination, neutering and microchipping.

Q  Can you rehome my animals together?
If you want your animals to be re-homed together, you should mention this in your Will. Although we cannot guarantee that this will be possible, we will do everything we can to honour your wishes. In every event, we will do what we feel is best for your pets. If trying to find a new owner for more than one animal together involved them spending longer than necessary in an Animal Centre, we would need to review the situation.

Q  Do you vet new owners?
Usually, before anyone can adopt an animal from the RSPCA, we interview them. This way, there are no impulsive decisions and the RSPCA is certain the animal is going to the right home. In addition, a home visit may be required, and this is often followed up with a post-adoption check.

Q  Are there any animals you won’t take (i.e. not just cats and dogs)?
The RSPCA is the largest animal welfare charity in the UK, and has facilities to take on most animals. Although spaces for larger animals such as horses may be limited, we do have some facilities for them. The only types of animal the RSPCA may have difficulty rehoming are fish or exotic animals. If you are thinking of using Home for Life for fish, exotic or large animals, please call Jo Curtis to discuss on 0300 123 0239.

Q  What happens if my family offer to take the pet?
The RSPCA’s Home for Life service is to be used in the event that you have not made alternative provisions for your animal’s care, so if a family member or friend has offered to look after your animal that’s fine.

Q  I have included this in my Will but not used your wording. Is that okay?
As long as your wishes are clearly stated in your Will and you have included our charity name and registered charity number this should not be a problem.

If there’s anything I can do ….

Are you struggling to help a loved one cope with grief, but just don’t know what to do?

It is awful when someone you love goes through the unbearable pain of bereavement. You feel distraught and completely unable to help. You can’t take away the grief, but there are many things you can do to make everyday life more bearable. And no-one knows better what those things might be than people who have been bereaved themselves.

This guide explains how it feels, and also passes on the advice of many other people who have been bereaved. These people know exactly what helped them most (and what was well-meant but not helpful) at the time, and in the months, weeks and years afterwards.

This ebook is full of little ways – and big ways – you can help someone you care about cope that little bit better.

It is suitable for English speakers all over the world whether you are in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, South Africa, it is packed with reassuring suggestions for how to help a friend or loved one who has lost someone dear to them without getting in the way

We have personally reviewed this eBook and found it to be a wonderful, insightful account of bereavement. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one will identify with everything written here; from the practical help needed to make the process as painless as possible to the emotional support often needed but rarely asked for. If you know someone who has lost someone click here to find out if there is anything YOU can do.

Grief Counselling

Although counselling is unlikely to speed up the grieving process it can help ease the pain of grief. It also gives you the opportunity to talk through any emotional problems you may have or to just talk about the person you lost.

Counselling essentially helps people to adjust to a changed situation. According to The British Association of Counselling, “It gives the client an opportunity to explore, discover and clarify ways of living more satisfyingly and resourcefully.”

A great source for finding suitable counselling is via Cruse Bereavement Care which exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services are free to bereaved people. The charity provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.

For publications on Grief and Bereavement Counselling take a look below:

Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner	When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief (Drawing Out Feelings)	Grief in Young Children: A Handbook for Adults

Inform Organisations

What documentaion or information will I need to inform organisations of the death?

• Address book listing close friends and relatives who will need to be informed
• Passport
• Vehicle registration documents if the deceased owned a car
• Driving licence/parking permits/travel cards/Blue Badge for disabled parking
• Membership cards or documents/correspondence showing membership of clubs, associations, Trade Unions and similar

Notify Benefits

What documents do I need to notify benefits/tax credits offices about the death?

• Any correspondence confirming payment to the deceased:
  • Benefits normally available from the Jobcentre Plus office
  • Tax credits normally available from HM Revenue & Customs
  • State Pension normally available from the Department for Work and Pensions
• Child Benefit Number (if relevant)

Misc Documents Needed

What other documents should I gather together?