Below is a list of some of the questions that have been submitted to Allie and her responses. If you would like to submit a pet or animal related question to Allie please feel free to contact Allie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

QUESTION
O&H: Allie, the newsletter has focused the past three editions on caregiver stress. In your opinion, what is the best way for caregivers to relieve stress?

ALLIE'S ANSWER
Meow! Of course, my first choice would be pet therapy, as we mentioned this week. My presence in Oast & Hook’s Portsmouth office is proof certain of the calming effect that pets can have in working environments (except when I start chewing on the plant in the lobby). If caregivers for our clients don’t have pets of their own, then they can take a break and visit with friends or family members who have pets, visit with the animals at the various humane societies in our area, or they can always visit with me!

QUESTION
O&H: How can a client provide for a pet if the client becomes disabled or dies?

ALLIE'S ANSWER
To plan for a disability, the client can include a provision in the client’s general durable power of attorney authorizing an agent to provide for the pet. The client can include a provision in the client’s will to make a gift of the pet and to provide a monetary gift to provide funds for the pet's care. In Virginia, the client also has the option of creating a pet trust for the pet that appoints a trustee to manage funds for the pet’s care and appoints a caretaker for the pet. The Virginia pet trust statute provides for enforcement of the pet trust’s provisions. Hmmm, I’d better check with the Oast & Hook staff to see what provisions they’ve made for me ... after my nap.

QUESTION
Jean: Allie, after 14 years our twin-sister Manx cats died at a close interval, leaving us bereft beyond belief. They were our most loved companions and made our home lively and warm, now that our children and grandchildren have their own lives. Our quality of life was most improved by their presence. I am in my seventies, and my husband is in his eighties. Our health is fine. Would it be fair to bring two new kitties into our lives, considering the fact they may outlive us? What does your veterinarian tell you? Several other older people have discussed this with us, so I'm speaking for many interested people. We do understand that their care could be provided for in our legal instructions.

ALLIE'S ANSWER
Allie: Jean, thank you for writing. I recommend that your husband and you consider adopting two homeless kittens or cats from the SPCA or Humane Society. There are many homeless kittens and cats who are looking for a loving home that will improve their quality of life. In return, they will provide you with unlimited companionship and love. No one knows who will survive whom. Good estate planning will provide for the survivor.

QUESTION
Buckwild Easy As Rain (“Bear” for short, but my human calls me Sugar Booger Bear): Hello Allie! I always look for your “Ask Allie” column in the Oast & Hook News. I am a Scottish Terrier owned by a social services employee. I am 2 years old and worry that my human works too hard at her job. She plans to retire soon, and she has asked me several times how much money she should set aside in a trust for me. Can you tell me how to calculate what my needs might be?

Scotties are prone to bone cancer and usually live about 12 years. I plan to live much longer than that because my human has promised to buy me a brother or sister when she retires so I will have a new lively playmate. We plan to do a lot of traveling; my human only goes to “pet friendly” places! Thanks Allie!

ALLIE'S ANSWER
Allie: Dear Sugar Booger Bear: I asked the lawyers and financial planners at Oast & Hook for help to answer your question.

Virginia law permits the creation of a trust to provide for the care and burial of a human’s pet(s) after the human’s disability or death. The trust may be funded with an amount that is necessary for this intended use and to pay necessary trust administration expenses. You have estimated your life expectancy at 10 years, but you want to plan for a longer life. Let’s assume you will live 12 years. Your human intends to adopt another pet. Let’s assume this new pet will live 14 years. Therefore, your human should provide for about 26 years of care. My humans estimate that it costs about $1,000 per year to feed (including kitty treats) and provide veterinary care for a pet. Therefore, the trust must be funded with about $26,000, plus trust administrative costs. Assuming a family member or friend serves as trustee to hold down administrative expenses, I recommend that your human fund the trust at her death with about $30,000. Of course, more is always better. Your human should review this projected amount every five years and make necessary adjustments caused by inflation, changes in your age, and other factors. In addition to creating the trust, your human should identify a family that will serve as your guardian if she is disabled or deceased. Oast & Hook can help your human develop a “pet friendly” estate plan.