I've often wondered what would happen to my precious cat Pepper if I wasn't around. Now I know of a place built specially for pets whose owners pass.

I learned about a place in College Station, TX called The Stevenson Companion Animal Life Care Center, a part of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The Center opened in 1993 and its' goal is to provide a home-like environment for pets while giving excellent care.

There are 320 pets enrolled in the Center and they're located in 18 states. Pet owners make an endowment to the College of Veterinary Medicine and then send their pets to the Stevenson Center through direction in their will. The endowment pays for the supplies the pet will need for the remainder of its' life and whatever is left over goes to the university.

The Center is an 8300 square feet house on 10 acres of land, has two large glass enclosed sunny rooms just for cats to lounge around in their cat beds and towers. There is a bird sanctuary, a stable, lots of small dog beds and large dog beds. There's a big backyard and a garden, as well as four live-in students who are caregivers and a staff of animal lovers. The house can accommodate up to 60 animals.

Upon arrival each pet is given a full physical and given all needed shots. Then the staff slowly integrates the new arrival into their new surroundings and family. The staff and students provide love and care to all the animals there.

Sounds like a great place for a pet whose owner has passed.