Even if something happens to me… I seriously considered "end-of-life planning" and "preparations" for my cat, starting today.

The loss of my beloved cat, Jiji, in May 2025, made me think more deeply about "death" – not only the death of animals but also my own death.

Amidst these thoughts, a strong desire emerged: to do everything I can now to ensure that even if something happens to me, my beloved cats won't feel lonely or hungry.

This time, I'll share the "end-of-life preparations for my beloved cats" that I'm implementing to protect my "future cats," and the measures I believe are important.

End-of-Life Preparations for My Beloved Cats, Implemented by a 35-Year-Old Cat Owner

When Jiji passed away, it was sad and painful, but there was a part of me that felt relieved, thinking, "I was able to provide lifetime care."

This is because I have a chronic illness and was hospitalized frequently as a child, so the thought "I don't know if I'll end the day in good health tomorrow" is deeply ingrained in my mind.

However, at the same time as the relief, I became anxious, wondering if my current preparations were sufficient to provide lifetime care for my two living beloved cats.

From here, I will introduce the preparations I am actually making and the end-of-life planning for my beloved cats.

① Writing down wishes in an "ending note"

I started writing an "ending note" when I turned 30. The reason was that I felt it was time to consider death and take action.

I was born with a condition called "single ventricle," where the heart's chambers are not properly divided into two. Modern medicine cannot completely cure it. Radical surgical methods became widespread just before I was born.

Since the number of patients is small and no statistics on lifespan have been compiled, it's frankly unknown how long I can live. However, my heart condition is slowly deteriorating.

My former primary doctor once told me, "The oldest person with the same disease is around 50." I believe that statistic was derived from the lifespans of people who underwent an older type of surgery than the one I received.

But ever since hearing that, I vaguely started living with the thought, "X more years until 50."

Then, at the age of 30, I felt that "the time I've lived has surpassed the time I'm likely to live," and I purchased an ending note.

The ending note I bought is good because it allows me to write in detail about how to dispose of digital assets. In the note, I also wrote down "what to do with my beloved cats" after my death, to be posted to the followers who have supported me.

Consider "old cat homes" if there's no one else to rely on.

If something happens to me, I will definitely protect my cats. My husband and I regularly discuss this to ensure we are on the same page.

Such discussions are extremely important. We consider potential "what ifs," such as "I want to raise the cats responsibly, but what if something happens to me?" and clearly communicate which facilities or people we would like to rely on.

The cats themselves, looking down at us from above, seem quite pleased.

There's no guarantee that the surviving family will also live in good health. I think if we consider the future of our cats from that perspective, it will be easier to decide what to do if unexpected circumstances arise.

In our case, we've discussed relying on an old cat home if my husband or relatives find it difficult to care for our cats for any reason.

This is precisely when our accumulated "cat savings" (which we're still saving) would come in handy.

While there are currently few old cat homes nationwide, I believe that if the practical application of AIM for feline kidney disease leads to an increase in long-lived cats, the demand for facilities that can accommodate cats whose owners are no longer able to care for them due to various circumstances will rise, and their numbers will increase across the country.

So for now, I'm comparing the facilities and costs of several places, and constantly telling myself, "I'm going to save even more for the cats!"

③ Documenting your cat's preferences and personality in a "My Pet's Notebook"

Cats, just like humans, each have their own unique personality. They have different preferences, and sometimes they surprise us with things like, "They don't dislike that!"

It's important to convey your cat's preferences and personality in detail to the person you entrust with their care. When living in a new environment or with a new owner, cats are full of anxiety.

I believe that if we can provide a life where their preferences and individuality are considered and respected as much as possible, they will feel at ease and think, "This isn't so bad."

I use the "Neko Help Techo" (Cat Help Notebook) designed and produced by Eiko Oki, but there are various other notebooks where you can meticulously record your "pet's" information, so please find one that suits you.

While writing the profile, I sometimes find myself deeply reflecting on my cats and laughing, thinking, "My cat is so funny!" (True story)

Oh, by the way, I also recommend "We have cats" stickers, which are useful in case of disasters or accidents.

"Future Measures" to Protect My Beloved Cats

① Creation of a public will

As I wrote my ending note, a strong desire grew within me to create an official will regarding the future of my beloved cats.

Answering the questions in the ending note was sufficient for my personal wishes, but since an ending note has no legal power, I felt it might be a bit insufficient to protect my cats.

In the future, I plan to consult with a lawyer and create an official will to be able to leave assets to my beloved cats.

While pets cannot directly inherit assets, by leaving assets to the person who will care for them, I can indirectly transfer the savings I've diligently accumulated to my beloved cats.

However, unexpected problems may arise, such as the cat or the entrusted person passing away before the testator. Therefore, I intend to consult with specialists such as lawyers, considering all possible scenarios, and proceed with the creation of the documents.

While "consulting a lawyer" might sound daunting, I recommend attending free local legal consultation sessions as they are easy to access.

② Saving up for both illness and admission to an old cat home!

Although there are times when no amount of money can save a life, having cat savings is certainly reassuring. After much deliberation, I decided not to get pet insurance and instead saved money to prepare for my beloved cat's "what ifs." Jiji's illness made me acutely aware of the high cost of veterinary care once again.

However, having experienced the illness, it was beneficial to learn the approximate treatment costs for examinations and surgeries.

Of course, the amount spent during treatment varies depending on the disease and treatment method, but I now have a clear savings goal for "how much I need to have to prepare for illness."

Therefore, it became easier to determine my target savings by adding "that amount plus the cost of admission to an old cat home as a contingency," and my cat savings are progressing even more smoothly.

If I were to entrust them to an old cat home, I would want a facility where they can live without cages and receive meticulous care even if they become bedridden. Eventually, I want to visit and see for myself, and learn about a reliable old cat home as a "contingency."

"Services I Wish Existed" to Prevent My Cats from Being Lonely

This is a service I personally wish for: a matching service that helps owners find a new owner for their beloved cat while the owner is still alive.

Of course, it's difficult from an animal abuse prevention perspective, and there's also the question of "Are there people who would wait for a cat that they're not guaranteed to get?" But if there were a service that allowed me to confidently entrust my beloved cat to a "next owner" even after I'm gone, I think it would ultimately bring peace of mind to both cats and people.

For example, it would likely alleviate the distress of owners who are worried about their cats and cannot be hospitalized, and it would also somewhat address the problem of elderly people being unable to care for their cats until the end.

While we celebrate the longer lifespans of cats, if we can also implement measures for the "problem of whether we can care for our long-lived cats until the end," I believe the growing trend of "adopting rescue cats" won't fizzle out.

To increase the number of happy cats, it's important to face your own end as an owner. I believe there's still much more I can do, so I want to continue gathering information and strive to ensure my beloved cats never suffer throughout their lives.