Q: Who will care for my pet when I am gone?

A: When facing a life-limiting illness many patients worry about who will take care of their beloved pets once they are gone.

Having a plan in place can help ease some of the worry and anxiety. Some options include: a will provision, a pet trust, a DIY pet protection agreement or an informal agreement with a family member or friend.

Every year between five and seven million companion animals enter animal shelters due to the death of their owners, reports the American Human Association. Of these, approximately three to four million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats) when adequate homes cannot be found for them. Older pet owners usually have older pets that can be hard to find adoptive homes for.

Placing a pet in a shelter who has spent most of its life in a loving home, sharing a bed, sitting on the couch surrounded by its toys and memories can be very stressful to the pet. If no provisions have been made and no family or friends are able to step forward and care for the pet, a “no-kill” pet rescue organization like Father John’s Animal House in Lafayette can be an option to help the pet find a new home.

If you are caring for a pet whose owner has already died it’s important to evaluate if you have the financial means, space or time to take care of the pet. Also, find out if there are any provisions made for the pet in the owners will. These provisions can be helpful in providing financially for a pet’s care over the long-term.

Also, since a will goes into effect only upon your death, it cannot provide care for your pets if you become seriously ill.

A pet trust is a legal process that transfers ownership of your pets to a trust, which includes instructions for their care and money to pay for it. You name a caregiver, and you appoint a trustee to oversee that care and any related expenses. If you do not name a caregiver and trustee, the State of New Jersey will do so. Pet trusts are valid in the state of New Jersey.

If you opt for a living pet trust, as opposed to one that kicks in after you die, you provide for your pets if you become unable to care for them because of serious illness.

A DIY Pet Protection Agreement like the one available through LegalZoom, is valid in all states. This legal document allows you to specify a caregiver for your pets and leave money for their care. A Pet Protection Agreement is a contract between the pet owner and the pet guardian. The signature of both parties on the agreement makes it legal.

You can also set up an informal arrangement with a trusted family member or friend to take your pets when you die. It cost nothing to come to such an arrangement. You should make sure all family members and friends know about the agreement and will not put up a fight for your pets too. With this type of agreement, you have no control over the care of your pets after you die.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice sponsoring an “Our Pet, Advance Care Planning” Workshop on Friday, May 3, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Life Center at SCCC. This FREE, informative workshop will host a panel of experts to review how to make sure your wishes for your pet are carried out if you are no longer with us. It will also cover topics on how to care for a pet who is facing a life-limiting illness, how to cope with your anticipatory grief and some options for honoring and memorializing your pet when they pass away. Those interested can register online at karenannquinlanhospice.org/OurPets or call 973-383-0115 ext. 145.

Paper shredding or document destruction is critical for safe keeping confidential and sensitive information. Most of us create and keep files with sensitive content; examples of which are bills, financial statements, marketing plans, employee files, and even delivery packages. Join us this Saturday 4/13 for the SK Paper shred fundraiser at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice located on 99 Sparta Avenue in Newton. The event runs from 9a – Noon. The cost is $6 per grocery sized bag. Bags can be purchased in advance for $5 at our office. Office hours are 8:30a – 4:30p Monday – Friday.

Businesses are welcome to participate!

There are laws that penalize improper disposal of documents with sensitive and confidential content. Organizations that hold personal data but neglect to protect it face financial and legal consequences. Employers for example use paper shredding services to get rid of employee files which are no longer in use.

Shredded paper gets recycled!

Numerous trees are cut down in order to make paper. To protect forests, people advocate a “paperless society”, and only use paper as a last resort. Reusing and recycling strips and bits from paper shredding machines is also another method of preserving forests.

Keep your personal information safe!

Identity theft cases are prevalent, and increasingly becoming a huge threat with the advent of the Internet. It’s considered ‘best practice’ for organizations and individuals to shred mail and delivery boxes to avoid identity theft and fraud.

It’s time to Spring clean!

Piles of papers cause clutter and increase the risks of fire. Offices need to constantly get rid of these papers as part of an organization-wide records management system. At home, clear away some of that clutter and paper to make space for something meaningful to you and your family.

Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW, CT
Acting Executive Director
Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice

Marlina Schetting, MSW, LCSW, CT, has been named the acting executive director at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

“Through her many years of dedicated service to the organization, Marlina has demonstrated the skills needed to assume the role of acting executive director,” said Julia Quinlan, co-founder and chairman of the governing board.

Schetting will be the key management leader of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice and the Joseph T. Quinlan Bereavement Center. She is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. She will report directly to the governing board.

A longtime member of the hospice interdisciplinary team, Schetting has served the agency in several capacities for over 30 years and most recently as community administrator.

Schetting obtained her bachelor of science degree in human development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and her master’s degree in social work from Marywood University. She holds a certification in thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and a certification in field instruction from Rutgers University.

Schetting began her tenure with the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice as a hospice volunteer in 1986. She was instrumental in starting early bereavement programs such as “Camp Connections” Teen Camp and the Children’s Art Bereavement Program. Schetting has worked as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University School of Social Work, where she lectured on death and dying. She continues to supervise student social work interns in the tri-state area as a certified field instructor.

Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice was founded by the Quinlan family in 1980 to provide support to patients and families dealing with a life-limiting illness. This support allows patients to live life on their own terms and face the future with the dignity and comfort that we all deserve.

David Wilt, Sales Consultant/Assistant Manager at Subaru World of Newton shows the progress so far with the annual Share the Love campaign. Final results are not yet in, but by all accounts it was a great year!

Michael Fernandez, Sales Consultant/Assistant Sales Manager (l) and Stephon Hammonds, Senior Sales Consultant, demonstrate how they were able to track how many customers bought cars and directed the donation to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

The Subaru Share the Love campaign ran from November 15, 2018 to January 2, 2019. Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at more than 628 participating Subaru retailers nationwide to the customer’s choice of a selection of local charities.

From November 15, 2018 to January 2, 2019, Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at more than 628 participating Subaru retailers nationwide to the customer’s choice of the following national charities: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), Make-A-Wish®, Meals on Wheels America® and National Park Foundation.

In addition to the four national charity partners, Subaru retailers across the country have selected 681 local charitable organizations to support during this year’s Subaru Share the Love Event. Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice was selected as the local charity recipient by Subaru World of Newton. Eleven years running, this year’s Subaru Share the Love Event marks the third consecutive year there will be no cap placed on the total donation from Subaru of America to its charitable partners. By the end of this year’s event, the automaker hopes to exceed a grand total of $140 million donated since the Subaru Share the Love Event started in 2008.

“For more than a decade, the Subaru Share the Love Event has contributed to improving the lives of those it touches and worked to fulfill our Love Promise,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc. “Working with local charitable organizations has allowed us and our retailers to support those in need across the country in meaningful ways.”

Subaru of America, Inc. marked it’s 50^th Anniversary in the United States in 2017. Subaru World of Newton is located on 84 Hampton House Rd, Newton, NJ 07860

“We are so thankful for the continued support of Subaru World of Newton,” said Julia Quinlan. “There are so many families in the communities we serve that will benefit from this generosity.”

The Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice is a not-for-profit organization which provide a full continuum of high quality medical, emotional and spiritual services to individuals requiring hospice, family members and the community.

Brian Williamson (l) and his wife Suzanne are presented a check for $9,097.50 from Cecelia Clayton,Executive Director, (c) Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice

Brian’s Williamson,  a martial arts instructor with Hudson Valley HaganaH, was alerted that his lucky ticket #731 was drawn on December 31^st and he would start of 2019 with a prize of $9,097.50 from the year-long 50/50 presented by the Friends of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice.

“It felt like a blessing from Dad,” stated Suzanne Williamson, Brian’s wife. Suzanne is a special education teacher in Hamburg. Suzanne’s father, Mr. James Zylstra was a patient at the award-winning Home for Hospice two years ago.

The Williamson’s, who reside in Milford, PA are both retired from the New Jersey Army National Guard shared their warm sentiment about the care extended to Susan’s father and their family during his days at the Home for Hospice.

They have no specific plans on how to spend the money, but are grateful to have won.