Continuing Cat Care

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What is Continuing Cat Care?

Continuing Cat Care is a program that provides loving, attentive care for your cat(s) when you are no longer able to.

Why Enroll in the Continuing Cat Care Program?

It can be difficult to think about what will happen to your cat when you pass, but having a plan in place ensures that your cat has somewhere to go if your friends or family are not able to take care of them when you're gone.

Through this program, the Hermitage can provide your beloved companion a safe and loving environment for as long as they need it.

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How the Program Works

Upon Your Passing

A friend, family member, or prior travel arrangement will bring your cat to us.

Evaluation Process

Your cat will then be evaluated by our veterinarian to determine its health and adoptability. This is to verify that:

  • The cat has been spayed/neutered
  • The cat is microchipped
  • Vaccines are up to date
  • Test for FeLV and FIV
  • Identify any other potential health conditions

Adoption Decisions
Depending on their health status and how well they adjust to the shelter, our medical staff will determine if the cat will become a sanctuary cat or be made available for adoption.

If the Hermitage medical staff finds your cat to be adoptable:

  • The cat will be given the chance to find a home

If, in the opinion of the medical staff, the cat is not adoptable:

  • The cat will become a sanctuary cat, and live out the rest of their life being loved by our staff, volunteers, and visitors

Important Program Limitations

What We CANNOT Do:

  • We CANNOT honor requests for a cat to automatically be kept as a permanent resident
  • We CANNOT give updates on cats after they have been surrendered to us

Please assure your family and friends you are doing what is in the best interest of your cat and trust the Hermitage to make the right choices for your cat's future. We treat each cat as an individual and every decision is made with their health and happiness in mind.

Enrollment

Program Costs and Financial Requirements
Registration Fee

There is a $500 registration fee per cat to enroll your cat(s) in the Continuing Cat Care program.

Required Endowment

It is necessary that you provide an endowment in a minimum of:

$1,500 per cat (standard care)
$5,000 per cat with special needs such as Diabetes, FIV/FeLV+

This endowment is effective upon your death.

Ways to Provide Your Endowment to The Hermitage

There are several ways in which you may accomplish this endowment to The Hermitage:

  • Designate The Hermitage as a beneficiary in your Last Will and Testament or Trust.
  • Designate The Hermitage as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
  • Designate The Hermitage as a beneficiary of your bank account by completing forms at your bank stating that your account is payable upon your death to The Hermitage.
  • Designate The Hermitage as a recipient of your investment account by completing forms with your stockbroker stating that your account is to transfer upon your death to The Hermitage.
  • Designate The Hermitage as a beneficiary of your IRA account and there may be some estate tax planning advantages for designating The Hermitage (a 501(c) 3 organization), as a beneficiary of an IRA account. You should consult with an attorney or accountant to determine whether this advantage may apply to you.

Required Paperwork and Documentation

All forms can be filled out online using the buttons below. If you would like a pdf to fill out or print, please contact us at: [email protected]
Forms You Must Complete
In addition to using one of the above methods to gift to the Hermitage, you must complete:

Return the completed forms, along with the enrollment fee of $500 per cat to the Hermitage (the enrollment fee will be used as a General Donation).

Additional Documentation Required

With the Standard Bequest Form, please attach a copy of the applicable pages of your:

  • Last Will and Testament or Trust, OR
  • Beneficiary designation form for your life insurance policy, bank account, stock account or IRA account, nominating The Hermitage as a beneficiary

Important Contact Information

  • Please advise the Hermitage of the individual you have named as your personal representative in your Last Will and Testament or Trustee of your Trust
  • You may be asked for our EIN which is 86-0213263

Keeping Your Information Current

If you need to update the information provided to the Hermitage on the Continuing Cat Care Registration Form, please provide such updates in writing so the Hermitage can be certain current information is in your file.

Enrollment Form
Bequest Form
Waiver