When I first met Lorna she was confined to a wheelchair. She had a small army of helpers but her only constant companion was Gigi, a toy poodle.

Gigi lived to a pampered old age and when she died, Lorna found the flat very empty without her. Despite her loneliness, Lorna was adamant that she would not have another dog unless there was some firm arrangement in case she became unable to live at home and care for her pet.

Kit, one of Lorna's friends, made a commitment to be owner in waiting. Once she was sure of the arrangement, Lorna asked me to get her a King Charles Cavalier puppy from a breeder I knew. Amber soon became the centre of Lorna's life. Several years later, when Lorna was suddenly admitted to hospital, Kit collected Amber that afternoon. Lorna returned home but died a few days later and Amber stayed with Kit.

Pauline was not so well prepared. When she fell and broke her collarbone her cancer was too advanced for her to be able to cope at home any more and she was admitted to a residential home. I had found Pauline on the floor on a chance visit so had taken her into hospital and was charged with immediate care of her cat, Berlinda.

This cat was very nervous; I had hardly ever seen her, despite being friends with and visiting Pauline for a couple of years. Belinda was not happy living with my dog and showed little signs of adapting after several weeks. One of Pauline's other friends arranged a place for her in a home for unwanted cats.

When I visited Belinda a few weeks later I was appalled by how much weight she had lost. This cat home' was over-run with too many cats in too little space and not enough individual attention. The owners were unaware that Belinda was not eating or that she had lost weight. I reported back and a new home was eventually organised for Belinda. It was not easy to find someone to care for a nervous middle-aged cat that wanted to be by herself.

Pets are very important to people who live alone, particularly the disabled and the frail. However these owners are likely to become ill and have to leave home, sometimes with little warning. Pet lovers often worry about what will happen in this situation.

If owners are suddenly taken severely ill or collapse no one may know that there are pets at home without food or care. Volunteer owners in waiting may not be local and may not be aware when a crisis has happened.

Kit had moved house and lived two hours drive from Lorna when Amber needed her. Only because we all knew the arrangement and Kit's phone number did Lorna's plan work out.

There is a scheme to help pet owners avoid this sort of crisis, called Pets Placement.

If you know someone who would be able to look after your pet in an emergency you can register with Pets Placement for a fee and give them all the details of your pets and their arrangements.

They provide you with a card to carry in your purse or wallet alerting emergency services that you have a pet at home. They also give you stickers to put in prominent places in the house.

When Pets Placement is alerted they will contact the nominated carer and key holder and ensure that your pets are safe and well.

If you don't know someone who would be able to help out, Pets Placement has a register of people prepared to look after a pet in need. They will match your pet with a volunteer who can meet and get to know your pet while all is still well.

The ideal arrangement is with a friend or relative that knows and loves your pet but ideals don't always exist. Planning ahead can save you extra worry when a crisis occurs and can lessen the upset for your pet.

Being left alone in an empty house and moved between strangers that don't really care makes losing their beloved owner's company just so much worse.

Pets Placement 01280 849000, PO Box 2038 Buckingham, MK18 2YY.