Leave a lasting footprint for animals in need

Leaving a gift in your Will to Animal Welfare League is a very personal and important decision to make, which is why our Philanthropy Team is here to help you with advice and guidance. If you would like to speak to us, please call 08 8348 1300 or email SupporterCare@awl.org.au.

We have also created an easy step-by-step approach below.

Step 1. Determine the value of your estate

You will need to work out estimates of the value of your assets and debts. The value of your estate – which you can leave to friends, family or charity – is simply your total assets minus your total debts.

Step 2. Determine the people and causes you want to benefit

Think about the people and/or charities you care about most and want to leave gifts to in your Will. Think about whether you want to leave specific items or amounts of money, or a percentage of your estate.

You can also entrust your pets to AWL to ensure they find a loving home when you pass away through our Happy Hearts program.

Step 3. Appoint Executor/s

You will need to appoint an Executor to carry out the terms of your Will. This can be a relative, friend or legal advisor. Please do make sure they understand the requirements before you include their appointment in your Will.

Step 4. Write or update your Will

Now you are ready to get your Will legally written or updated. You can find someone to write it for you through the Law Society or you can do it yourself through an online wills platform such as Willed. If you're including a gift to us, please use our suggested wording, found further down this page. Make sure you store your Will in a safe place and let your Executor/s have a copy too.

Get started with Willed

Step 5. Talk to us

We would be grateful if you would consider letting us know that you have generously left us a gift in your Will. This will help us plan for the future care of the animals that will be given a second chance thanks to you. We will also be able to thank you, keep you up to date, invite you to events, and let you know of the exciting plans we can achieve with a gift as thoughtful as yours.

Your entire Estate or a percentage

Once you have made a provision for those important to you and after payment of your debts, funeral or testamentary expenses, you may wish to gift a portion of or the entire residue of your estate to AWL.

A Sum of Money

You may wish to leave a sum of money to AWL which helps us to provide lasting care to thousands of animals every year. To prevent this sum of money losing value, you can also include a clause to ensure the sum of money is adjusted to account for inflation.

A Specific Gift

A specific gift in your will to AWL may be a specific item from your estate, such as a piece of property, specific shares or a personal item. However, if that asset does not form a part of your estate upon your death, it cannot be gifted to AWL.

Your Pets

If you have pets in your life when you pass away or can no longer take care of them due to ill health, rest assured that AWL will ensure they are cared for and are matched to a new home by our highly experienced team through our Happy Hearts program.

If you would like more information on how the Happy Hearts program works please call 08 8348 1300 or email SupporterCare@awl.org.au and we will send you our Happy Hearts pack with more information on the registration process and how to update your Will to include the correct instructions.

Gift in your Will

The correct legal wording to include a gift to Animal Welfare League (AWL) in your Will is provided below. Please select the wording that best reflects the kind of gift you wish to leave.

General Purpose Gift

I give (insert one of the Gift Options below) to Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc (ABN 11 397 137 539) of 1-19 Cormack Road, Wingfield South Australia for its general purposes free of all duties, and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer, Secretary, or other authorised officer for the time being of the said Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my executor/trustee in respect of such bequest.

Specific Purpose Gift

I give (insert one of the Gift Options below) to Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc (ABN 11 397 137 539) of 1-19 Cormack Road, Wingfield South Australia for the specific purpose of [please name specific purpose, eg: boarding facilities, dog kennels, cat studios] free of all duties, and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer, Secretary, or other authorised officer for the time being of the said Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my executor/trustee in respect of such bequest.

Gift Options

• The residue of my estate

• (Insert number) percent of my estate

• The sum of $..........

• My (insert particular asset)

Do you have a beloved pet that might need looking after once you're gone? If you've organised to leave us a gift in your Will, our team will go out of their way to find your pet a loving new home. You can find the correct legal wording below.

If you would like to take advantage of our Happy Hearts program, please contact Jacqui Church on 8348 1300 or jacqui.church@awl.org.au.

I give to Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc (ABN 11 397 137 539) of 1-19 Cormack Road, Wingfield South Australia my [describe pet(s) and/or companion animal(s)] and (insert one of the Gift Options below) and I express the wish but without creating a legal obligation that these funds or a portion thereof be applied towards the cost of care, maintenance and homing of my [describe pet(s) and/or companion animal(s) as above].

I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer, Secretary, or other authorised officer for the time being of the said Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my executor/trustee in respect of such bequest.

Gift Options

• The residue of my estate

• (Insert number) percent of my estate

• The sum of $..........

• My (insert particular asset)