What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift made in a Will, which is a legal document specifying how you want your property and assets to be dealt with after you die. A gift is passed on to another person and entity and can include money, shares, real estate or a range of other valuable items. Without a legal Will, others will decide how your estate is finalised.
Why leave a bequest?
Should you have a pet, leaving a bequest in your Will to Animal Aid guarantees that we will care for your pet(s) for the remainder of their lives by matching them to a caring foster home where we monitor your animals’ health and wellbeing, as well as provide for all of their future veterinary needs. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that your pets will be cared for should you pass away before they do.
Why Animal Aid?
Animal Aid goes above and beyond to care for the thousands of pets we receive each year. Unlike larger animal welfare charities we do not receive any government funding and rely on the community to support our important work. Upon receiving a bequest we quarantine the gift from our operational spending so that we can direct the funds to capital projects and the development of programs that will benefit the animals in our care.
These funds also assist with existing programs that involve pets in the crossfire of domestic violence, allow us to offer expert assistance during natural disasters such as bushfires, and also provide a range of community education programs and work-for-the-dole opportunities.
Seeking more information?
If you would like to have a chat about leaving a bequest, please call Animal Aid on (03) 8756 1300, or email fundraising@animalaid.org.au
All too often, the first we hear about a bequest is when a supporter has passed away. If you intend to leave a bequest gift to Animal Aid, or if you have already done so, it would be helpful for us if you let us know. We would like to be able to thank you personally for your wonderful support. Your information will be held in strict confidence and not shared with anyone outside the organisation.
How to Leave a Gift in My Will
To make a bequest to Animal Aid you can either update your existing Will or make a new one. We recommend that you consult your legal advisor or trustee company when preparing or updating your Will to ensure that it is correctly drafted. The following wording may be considered by your legal advisor:
“I bequeath to the Victorian Animal Aid Trust of 35 Killara Road Coldstream Victoria, for its general purposes the sum of $…………….. (or portion of estate, or description of property) and I declare that an official receipt from the organisation shall be a sufficient discharge to my trustee/executor.”
For those with pets, you may also wish to include the following wording:
“This legacy is subject to The Victorian Animal Aid Trust ensuring that they will guarantee care for my animals at my death.”
Need a solicitor?
Call the Law Institute of Victoria’s referral service on (03) 9607 9550 or reach them on email via referrals@liv.asn.au. They will recommend someone in your area.
Types of bequests?
Your bequest can be a specified amount of money, a gift of a particular asset such as shares or real estate, or a percentage of the residue of your estate.
Alternatively, you can instruct that a Perpetual Trust is set up under your own name which channels the annual income to your nominated charity (or several if you prefer). This way, your generosity lives on in perpetuity after you’ve gone with the funds from your estate being independently managed and then distributed to charities that were close to your heart.
