If you're estate planning for a macaw, or trying to find a custodian for your cockatoo, it would have helped to be present at the Marina del Rey Hotel on Sunday afternoon. Amid a cacophony of squeaks, squawks and the loud rustling of wings, an animal lawyer was holding forth.
"Because we treat our animals like our children, it's important that we look into our future and see what will happen to our children if we are no longer here," said attorney Sandra L. Toye.
Toye led about three dozen members of the Parrot Society of Los Angeles through the steps of writing a will to provide for an animal's care. The document should detail who the pet will go to, how its care will be financed, and why, she said.
The feathered members of the audience bobbed their heads, as if in agreement. The humans in the crowd chuckled aloud -- the proud "parronts," as they call themselves.
Learning about how to estate plan with your parrot in mind is more important than one might think, said Tim Obrenski, director of the group, which has about 100 members and at least that many parrots.
"Parrots can live 80 to 100 years," said Obrenski. "You have to make provisions for what happens to your parrot after you're gone."
The nonprofit group is dedicated to the welfare of parrots, said Obrenski, who lives with three parrots: an African grey and two umbrella cockatoos. This particular speaker was a natural fit.
Toye admitted that while she doesn't have birds like the colorful creatures perched all over the room, she is a longtime animal lover.
She currently cares for a dog, three cats, two guinea pigs and six rats, she said.
The firm that bears her name specializes in "animal related legal matters, including estate planning to provide for your pets, injuries to animals, neighbor disputes and dog-bite defense," according to her business card.
Toye suggested that audience members leave their pets, and the money for their care, to a rescue society or other such group that will ensure the well-being of the animal upon the owner's death. This sort of provision, part of a living trust, is legal if done properly, she said.
With either of those options, Toye recommended that pet owners create an "animal document" for each pet they own, detailing all of the quirky aspects of a pet's personality -- from what they like to eat to how they play -- for whoever might take care of their pets in the event of their death. Toye said her document includes information about her cat's favorite hiding places and the fact that he likes smelling her vanilla-scented perfume.
