Source: Advocate Lakewood East Dallas
Pets grieve deeply when their owners pass away, often showing behaviors like refusing food or waiting by the door. Dr. Virginia Ellsworth of East Dallas Veterinary Clinic notes that grieving pets need extra love, attention, and sometimes medical support to adjust. After local photographer Robert Bunch died, his dogs were temporarily housed at the clinic while staff worked to find them homes.
Planning for pets’ futures is essential. Options include family or friends, breed-specific rescues, or formal programs like Texas A&M’s Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center (requiring a $75,000 commitment) and Pet Peace of Mind, which partners with hospices to rehome pets if needed. Ellsworth advises pet owners to include care plans in their wills and build strong relationships with veterinarians who can help establish those arrangements. Families often find comfort in keeping a loved one’s pet, ensuring both the animal’s wellbeing and the owner’s memory live on.
Read the full story HERE: https://lakewood.advocatemag.com/options-for-surviving-pets/