Gifts in your Will
A gift in your Will is a lasting way to care for animals, and the people who love them, long into the future.
A lasting legacy for pets and people
Leaving a gift in your Will is a deeply personal decision, and a meaningful way to let your love of animals live on. Once you’ve looked after the people closest to you, a gift of any size to Lort Smith can help vulnerable animals get the urgent care they need, find loving new homes and stay with the people who love them.
If you’d like to talk it through, our team is here to help, with no obligation and in complete confidence.
Planning your gift
Why and how to leave a gift in your Will, the types of gifts you can leave, and the difference your legacy makes for animals and the people who love them.
How to include a gift
Suggested wording for your solicitor, and simple steps to include a gift to Lort Smith in your Will.
Remember your pet
Make sure the animals in your life are loved and cared for after you’re gone.
For solicitors and executors
Our legal name, ABN and registered details, plus useful information about Wills and estates for your clients.
What your gift makes possible
Your legacy can help:
- Care for the pets of people who are doing it tough, so they can stay together with the animals they love
- Our Adoption Centre care for animals and find them loving new homes
- Provide a safe place for pets while their owners get through a crisis, such as escaping family violence, experiencing homelessness or facing a long hospital stay
- Support our volunteer Pet Therapy teams, who bring comfort, joy and company to people going through a hard time or feeling lonely
Types of gifts
Your solicitor or trustee company can advise you on the type of gift that suits you best. Some of the options you might consider are:
- A share of your estate: a percentage of what remains after your other gifts have been distributed
- A specific amount: a set sum of money
- A specific item: such as property or shares
Every gift, whatever its size, makes a difference for animals in need.
How to word your gift
You can give this wording to your solicitor to help make sure your wishes are carried out.
I [full name] of [address] give and bequeath, free of all duties and taxes payable at my death (if any), one of the following:
The sum of $[amount]
[number]% of my estate
[number]% of the residue of my estate
to Lort Smith (ABN 87 004 238 475) for the use and purposes of the said organisation. The official receipt of the organisation shall be a full and sufficient discharge of my bequest.
Write your Will online for free
Having an up-to-date Will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and the people you love. Lort Smith has partnered with Gathered Here so you can write your Will online for free, with unlimited updates for life.
There’s no obligation to include a gift. If you choose to, your gift could make a difference for animals for generations to come.
Talk to us about a gift in your Will
If you’d like to speak with someone about leaving a gift, please contact Amelia on 03 9287 6417 or email us. You can also download our brochure to read in your own time.
Leave a gift in your Will to an animal charity in Melbourne
A gift in your Will, also known as a bequest, helps Lort Smith care for vulnerable animals and the people who love them. As Australia’s largest not-for-profit animal hospital, we rely on the generosity of our community. Your legacy can fund vet care for pets whose families are doing it tough, care for animals in our Adoption Centre, and support people and pets through times of crisis.
Through our partnership with Gathered Here, you can also write your Will online for free, with unlimited updates for life. There’s no obligation to include a gift to Lort Smith, and every gift, whatever its size, makes a lasting difference.