10 June 2022
Animal re-homing charities are often overwhelmed with animals whose owners have died. This is particularly the case in areas such as Poole and Bournemouth because we have an elderly population.
Andi Holden-Bailey, Coordinator for Cats Protection’s Bournemouth & District Branch, explains: “Gifts in Wills make such a difference to us as they are dedicated funds which support our work with local cats and ensure we can keep improving cats’ lives for years to come.
“It’s particularly lovely when a gift enables us to purchase a key piece of equipment for cats such as a homing pen for one of our fosterers. That pen can then be an ongoing celebration of the life of the person who has died and simultaneously honour their love of cats.”
Sometimes families cannot take on the responsibility of your pets. Some may not have suitable homes. Others may already have pets who don’t get on with yours. It might be unfair to force them to live together.
In practical terms some pets have to remain in your home until they can be fostered. It can be very stressful for your pets to be alone. Your Executors will have to make daily visits to your home to look after your pets until future homes can be found. It is much better for everyone if your pets can be fostered or rehomed without delay.
Bear in mind that some pets require dedicated care and need to be looked after by someone who has the time to care for them properly. For example, elderly animals who take daily medications.
Some people have exotic pets which require specialist care. If you have fish, lizards, parrots or tarantulas you may need to think carefully about who would be able to rehome them.
You can plan ahead and put your instructions in a Will. Some testators choose to gift their pets to a specific friend or family remember. It is sensible to discuss this with them first, to ensure that they are able to take on the responsibility.
It is also possible to leave a legacy to that person and explain that you are gifting the money to them to cover the costs of feeding, insuring and caring for your pets. This way they are not “out of pocket” for looking after your animals.
If, however, you cannot think of anyone suitable, you can use one of several schemes to place your pets.
Cats Protection, the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA all run schemes to care for your pets after you have died. Again, you have the option to leave a legacy to the charity concerned to cover the costs of looking after your pets.
Matt Vincent, Cats Protection’s Head of Legacy Giving, adds: “We are always so grateful to our supporters who choose to remember Cats Protection in their will. These remarkable gifts fund more than half of all the work we do as a charity.
“Every gift we receive, no matter how large or small, makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of the cats and kittens who come into our care.
“After providing for your loved ones, by leaving even 1% of your estate to Cats Protection, you could make a huge difference to cats and kittens. For example, a gift of £500 would feed 400 cats for a week, £1500 will provide flea treatment for 250 cats, or a larger gift could help fund the opening of a new centre, the set-up of a new branch or the opening of a new shop to raise even more funds and safeguard our future work.”
Some breeds even have their own specialist groups to re-home your pet, for example The Doodle Trust.
Any gifts in your Will made to a UK registered charity will be Inheritance tax-free. Therefore your Estate may pay less tax as a result of your charitable gift.
It is helpful to give this some thought and include your instructions in your Will. This ensures that they are immediately brought to the attention of your Executors after you die. Wills Trust and Probate lawyers can help you to draft the correct wording. You can also store copies of the paperwork with your original Will held by a law firm.
If you would like advice on making a Will please contact our expert Wills, Trust and Probate solicitors based at our Bournemouth and Christchurch offices.
Please note, this is not legal advice. It is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
