Estate Planning Basics: Creating a Pet Trust

Pet Trusts are obviously one of my favorite topics so here's another article commenting on them.  Pet owners who want to ensure their pets will be cared for in the event the owner dies before the pets NEED to do planning.  You can NEVER assume that even the people who love you most will love your pets.  It just doesn't always happen.  



Estate Planning Basics: Creating a Pet Trust



If you are serious about protecting your pets, a Pet Trust is the right way to go.  Work with a qualified professional who is also a pet lover and has created a Pet Trust for their own pets.  Make sure they understand how important this is to you and you want to make sure your pets are cared for in the proper way.  If you want to read more, check out "All My Children Wear Fur Coats - How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet" - www.LegacyForYourPet.com.  Also available on Amazon.

Animals with Human Rights Will Be More Than a Pet Peeve for Researchers - Scientific American

This article says that researchers that use animals and vets who are afraid of malpractice don't want our pets to gain a status greater than that of property.  The reality is, it is already happening.  Yes, animals can inherit.  Yes, some courts have recognized that animals are more than mere property, equivalent to a toaster.  Yes, they are family members and we love them as much (or more sometimes) than members of our family.  Why shouldn't they be afforded a status that is greater than a chair or a toaster?  



Animals with Human Rights Will Be More Than a Pet Peeve for Researchers - Scientific American

What To Do When Your Dog’s Food is Recalled | The Dogington Post

Here are some good tips to follow if you learn that your pet's food has been recalled.  This site tries to post recalls as we become aware of them.  



What To Do When Your Dog’s Food is Recalled | The Dogington Post

Can Electronic Cigarettes Kill Your Dog? You Betcha!

Here's an article everyone should read.  Those "harmless" electronic cigarettes have been recently linked to the death of a dog - who ate the nicotine capsule.  As you know, dogs eat anything that hits the ground.  This could be deadly to your dog. 

Pending Florida legislation related to animals

I've attached a link to the pending animal legislation in Florida. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-MCShnXew6GNTk4SG82QkVmcTA/edit?usp=sharing

In particular, I've attached the staff analysis for the bill related to service animals.  As you may be aware I have puppy trained two service dogs so I have a special interest in this bill.  It clarifies some definitions and suggests that there may be a second degree misdemeanor for people trying to use fake service animals or holding themselves out as a trainer. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-MCShnXew6Gc0E0WFZ1OUQ2SG8/edit?usp=sharing

Pro-Pet Dog Food Recall

Read more about this new dog food recall.  



Pro-Pet Dog Food Recall

Why Do Cats Knead? Your Cat Thinks You're a Giant Cat Says Cat Sense | TIME.com

If my cats think I'm just a larger cat, I wonder what my dogs think?  



Why Do Cats Knead? Your Cat Thinks You're a Giant Cat Says Cat Sense | TIME.com

Rocks in Natural Balance Cat Food?

If you feed Natural Balance to your cat, you'll want to be aware of this recent finding and report to the FDA.  

Rocks in Natural Balance Cat Food?

10 Best Pet Insurance 2014 | Consumer's Advocate

This just in on Pet Insurance companies.  Use this handy chart to compare companies and policies.  Pet insurance is one of the fastest growing products in the insurance industry.  

10 Best Pet Insurance 2014 | Consumer's Advocate

Joshua Werbicki Accused Of Having Sex With Family Dog

It's unbelievable that he's only being held on $2,500 bond - it should be $25 million, meaning he should never get out of jail.  We still need more teeth in our animal cruelty and animal abuse statutes.  

Joshua Werbicki Accused Of Having Sex With Family Dog

Florida Bar Animal Law Committee Update

The Florida Bar's Animal Law Committee has been busy this year.  Here is an update on their activities:

Therapy Dogs in Courts

We previously circulated information and articles about circuit courts adopting programs for the use of therapy dogs in cases involving children testifying in criminal and dependency cases.  We recently met with some of the people spearheading the effort in the Second Judicial Circuit and they asked us to share their new website and video. The video features interviews with state attorneys and several judges that have used dogs in the courtroom.  They have also made key documents available on the court's website for other jurisdictions to use.

Local Government - Breeder's Ordinance
As reported in a recent Sun-Sentinel article, Broward County has adopted an ordinance placing limitations on breeding pets in an effortto cut down on unwanted dogs and cats.  We are also are interested in monitoring the impact of the ordinance and learning if any other local governments have adopted similar measures.  If you are aware of any such ordinances or plans, please let us know.  Hat tip to ALC member Paul Wean for providing a copy of the ordinance.

Appellate Cases
The Florida Supreme Court in Harris v. State issued its opinion on remand from the U.S.Supreme Court on the certification and use of drug sniffing dogs. The Second District in Brooks v. State found that the necessity defense does not apply to animals in a DUI case. The driver was pulled over for a DUI while taking a friend's cat to an all-night vet clinic.  Hat tip to ALC member Zachary Lawton and Jenny Bauer for notifying us about the opinions.

Administrative Law
The latest copy of the Administrative Law Section's newsletter is available as a pdf download here. The case law synopses contain descriptions of recent appellate and DOAH decisions involving cases brought by the Florida Wildlife Federation and a rule challenge involving barrel horse racing.

Legislation

The upcoming legislative session is shaping up to be an active one in the area of animal law with several bills already prefiled. As in past years, ALC Chair Ralph Demeo will provide updates during session as the bills move through the legislative process.

Education Law

Stetson Law School's webinar from earlier this year on the legal issues involved with emotional support animals in campus housing is now availableonline.  You can register here for $25.

Habeas Petitions Filed on Behalf of Chimpanzees

In an update to earlier information we circulated, Steven Wise of the Nonhuman Rights Projects filed its first round of habeas petitions on behalf of captive chimpanzees earlier this week. Professor Wise teaches at St. Thomas Law School and has lectured at ALC CLE programs in the past.  In addition to a number of other news outlets, the New York Times ran an article about the habeas petitions.  The documents that were filed are available here at the NRP's website.

Over-the-Counter Medications That Are Safe for Dogs (And How Much to Give!) | The Dogington Post

This is good information to keep handy!

Over-the-Counter Medications That Are Safe for Dogs (And How Much to Give!) | The Dogington Post

Give Thanks to Your Pet

This holiday season, if you plan to share some of your Thanksgiving dinner with your beloved pet, here are some guidelines for doing so safely.  

Give Thanks to Your Pet

Sunny | The 11 Most Influential Animals of 2013 | TIME.com

Read all about it - here are the 11 Most Influential Animals of 2013.  There may be some you haven't heard about.  

Sunny | The 11 Most Influential Animals of 2013 | TIME.com

True Raw Choice Pet Treats Recall

Here's another pet treat recall!  Please be ultra careful when buying processed anything for your pets.  

True Raw Choice Pet Treats Recall

November is Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month!

Happy Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month! We have some great webinars coming to you this November that will help you adopt more pets and hopefully reduce the number of pets your organization must intake. So put your thinking caps on and join one or more of these upcoming webinars.  Help Owners Plan for the Possibility Their Pets May Outlive Them Presented by Amy Shever, founder, 2nd Chance 4 Pets November 13 at 8 a.m. PST It is estimated that close to 500,000 pets end up at animal shelters each year simply because their pet owners passed away or became too ill to care for them. Typically  “orphaned” pets do not do well in the shelter environment--they become despondent, won’t eat, and are labeled “unadoptable”. The webinar will cover: What options are available to ensure “lifetime care” for pets including: emergency planning wills and estates pet trusts animal care panels sanctuaries perpetual care programs willing a pet to rescue groups or shelter How your organization can provide resources and education to your community of pet parents by: Following-up with new pet adopters Holding local workshops Providing information in your newsletters and websites Using Feline Evaluations To Boost Adoptions Presented by Stacy McDonald, Site Manager - Coon Rapids location, Animal Humane SocietyNovember 6 at 12 p.m. PST After a UC Davis consult, Animal Humane Society in Minnesota launched Bound for Home, a multifaceted initiative to improve quality of care, decrease length of stay (LOS), slash euthanasia rates, and drive placement rates. An important element of the initiative’s success was the development of a tool to evaluate felines. This webinar will cover the specific elements of the tool, how it was created, how you can use it to reduce feline LOS and increase health in your shelter. Enrolling is Easy 1. Click a session title 2. Log in to your learning community account or create a new account Forgot your password? Reset it at http://bit.ly/16VlrGH) Have questions? Email learning@petsmartcharities.org

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Woman accused of repeated animal cruelty is eaten by her dogs - National Dogs | Examiner.com

If she actually abused her dogs and then was eaten by them, all I can say is "karma."  You get what you sent out into the world.  

Woman accused of repeated animal cruelty is eaten by her dogs - National Dogs | Examiner.com

Is it an FDA Lie or FDA Neglect?

Just because a government agency says something, it doesn't mean it is true.  Be sure and research all the facts and then decide what is right for you and your pet.  

Is it an FDA Lie or FDA Neglect?

FDA warns pet owners about dangerous jerky treats from China | CTV News

More dangerous dog treats from China.  How many dogs have to die before we stop buying these products for our pets? 

FDA warns pet owners about dangerous jerky treats from China | CTV News

The Florida Bar's Animal Law Committee Needs Your Help

Attn:  Florida Lawyers
The Florida Bar's Animal Law Committee Needs Your Help!

 
What is the Animal Law Committee?
The Animal Law Committee (ALC) monitors and informs the members of the Florida Bar and the public of significant developments in the area of animal law. The ALC takes an ac-tive role in communicating about and reviewing proposed legislative changes and holds an annual seminar addressing animal law issues, including how such issues affect more tradi-tional legal practice areas. We meet at least three times a year to share new information regarding this practice area. In general, the ALC brings together attorneys who have differ-ent backgrounds and experience with regard to a variety of animal law issues. 

The ALC’s current goal
The ALC is in the midst of a membership drive to help reach section status. This is an op-portunity to make a real difference in animal law and with minimal effort. The Florida Bar has made it clear membership must increase before we submit a request to become a sec-tion. Section status is a critical goal. Section status will also allow us to engage in a num-ber of activities that we are currently prohibited or restricted from pursuing, including but not limited to increasing publications and drafting and supporting legislation. It will allow us to make a far greater impact in animal law.

How you can assist the ALC.
Join the ALC. Preference forms to join the Committee become available in December and the window to join is normally open from December 1 to approximately January 14. We request that attorneys with an interest in this legal area email Gil Panzer at gil@gilpanzerlaw.com and commit to complete the committee preference form in Decem-ber with a request to be on the ALC. We further request that attorneys contact as many other attorneys as possible to let them know about joining the ALC. You will be added to the ALC email distribution list so that you receive reminders when the window to file pref-erence forms opens.

Thank you for your help.

The Florida Bar has approximately 96,511 members currently. Quite often, we hear Bar members state they had no idea there was an animal law committee. For this reason, we are hopeful many more Bar members exist who are interested in the committee and will join. If we all help spread the word and emphasize the importance of our current member-ship drive, we can succeed. We sincerely hope those of you working in an office will ask your colleagues if they know about the ALC and are interested in joining.