While it is always a good idea to have your wishes clearly stated in your
will, you must not solely rely on that document to have your wishes granted
for things that need immediate attention such as pets and children.  There
are times where a will is not opened for weeks, or even months after you
pass.  There are also times when you might become incapacitated, however
your will in that case would not be opened.
 
What you must absolutely do is have written instructions left with both your
vet and whoever you choose to have take over the care of your ferrets and
other pets.  Make sure that your closest friends and relatives have the name
and number of the person who your pets will be going to as well.  This is
important for two reasons.
 
1. They may not even know who to contact and that person might not learn of
   your demise for several days or longer; and
2. you also need to have a plan in case of your incapacitation due to
   accident or illness.
 
As a paralegal many years ago, I helped an elderly couple establish a plan
for the care of their beloved cat in case they were unable to for any number
of reasons.  The above were the various steps we took.  In their case, the
person they chose to care for their cat was the daughter of the clients lawn
care man, who didn't live in the immediate neighborhood, and likely would
not have heard of their passing or incapacitation for a week or more.
Luckily the children of this couple as well as the next door neighbor had
this young womans name and number, and when the husband suffered a stroke
and the wife died of a heart attack within three days of each other, the
family called this young lady who picked up the cat immediately.
 
-Anne
[Posted in FML issue 2181]