Every animal, always protected
Like you, we believe every animal deserves protection. We’ve been rescuing and protecting animals for 200 years. And because 55% of all our work is funded by gifts in Wills, we need your support to help even more animals in desperate need, in the years to come.
As the only charity in England and Wales dedicated to rescuing animals from the worst cruelty, it’s vital that we are always here. And with your lasting support, we can be, no matter what challenges lie ahead.
Leaving a gift in your Will
This handy guide will take you through everything you need to know about leaving a gift to the RSPCA in your Will, such as:
• The different types of gifts you can leave, to help you make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones.
• How to write or update your Will – taking you through the process from start to finish.
• Suggested wording that you can take to your legal adviser to make sure your wishes are carried out.
• Answers to common questions and worries
If you have any questions as you’re reading through, contact our team on: 0300 1230 239 or by emailing: giftsinwills@rspca.org.uk
Every year, gifts in Wills help us:
Data source: RSPCA’s Annual Reporting & Accounts. Based on 5-year average.
Protecting the world we share, no matter how it changes
We are living in a changing world. Each new decade brings new threats to animals. From the increasing impact of climate change on wildlife habitats, to new crises brought about by changes in our society, there will always be a need for the RSPCA to step up for animals. With a gift in your Will, you can make sure we're always here to take action. History demonstrates that we're able to adapt and tackle challenges head-on. Like illegal puppy farming, which we've been investigating for some time. In recent years, we've rescued puppies and dogs from some of the worst cruelty and prosecuted those responsible. With your support we can continue to be there for animals who need us, no matter what.
To create better lives for all animals in the coming years, we must also focus on preventing cruelty from happening in the first place. By helping people understand that animals have feelings like us, we can inspire compassion – and prevent suffering. Through our education programme, we will continue to teach children about animal welfare, allowing your values to live on and help children become adults who instinctively respect and care for animals.
Together, we will shape a future where animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve.
Protect animals in need long into the future
When we rescued Sapphire at eight months old, she was lethargic, terribly thin, and too weak to stand. She needed 40 days of controlled feeding and veterinary treatment in hospital before going to our Blackberry Farm Animal Centre. There, constant care and love helped Sapphire grow in fitness and confidence until she was ready for a new home.
After making a full recovery, Sapphire found love with new owners Jade and Matthew. Now she’s full of joy, exploring her local fields and making new doggy friends – just as every dog should. Thanks in part to gifts in Wills, we were able to prosecute Sapphire’s previous owner. They are now banned from owning animals for 10 years.
55%
Of the RSPCA's Vital work is funded by gifts in wills*
Gifts in Wills fund over half of all our work and make it possible for us to go on protecting and caring for thousands of animals in need, year after year.
Four things to remember
A few points to consider as you read about how to leave a gift in your Will.
Family comes first
You don’t have to choose between looking after your loved ones and protecting animals in need. You can choose to leave a gift after your friends and family have been taken care of. Every gift – no matter what size – has the power to make a lasting difference to animals.
Your Will, your wishes
Making a Will is easy to put off, but it’s the only way to be sure your wishes are carried out. Without one, you may leave your loved ones facing uncertainty. And there’ll be no way to make sure your desire to protect animals lives on.
It makes good financial sense
Leaving a gift in your Will to charity can reduce the amount your estate pays in Inheritance Tax. That means you can make an even greater difference for your loved ones, and animals in need.
Ease the pressure
Making a Will means security for the people and causes you care about most. And peace of mind for you.
Types of gifts in Wills
We’re hugely grateful for every gift we receive.
There are three main types of gift you can leave to the RSPCA in your Will. To make the best decision for your circumstances, we suggest you discuss the following options with your legal adviser.
Residuary gift
This is where you set aside a percentage of your remaining estate after funeral expenses, debts and other gifts have been paid. As you may not know the final value of your estate, you may find it easier to apportion gifts to your chosen beneficiaries (individuals or charities) by leaving residuary gifts.
Pecuniary gift
This is a gift of a specified sum of money. All gifts make a real difference to the animals we care for, but it’s worth remembering that the eventual value of this type of gift is likely to be impacted by inflation. For example, a gift of £2,000 left today may only be worth £1,500 in 10 years’ time.
Specific gift
This is a gift of a specific, named item. For example, it could be property, a piece of jewellery, artwork, or a car.
Five steps to make or update your Will
Follow these steps to make sure that your loved ones will be taken care of and that your wishes are carried out when you die.
Remembering the RSPCA in your Will means our dedicated team of animal protectors can remain on the ground, day after day, rescuing and caring for animals that desperately need us.
step 1
Make a list of beneficiaries
Make a list of people and/or organisations you’d like to leave money, property or possessions to.
step 2
Appoint Executors
Appoint up to four Executors to carry out the terms of your Will. They can be relatives, friends, or legal advisers. You can even choose us, in certain circumstances. Please call us on: 0300 1230 239 if you would like to discuss appointing the RSPCA as your Executor.
step 3
Draw up or update your Will
Contact the Law Society to find a local solicitor (visit: solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk or call: 020 7320 5650) who can draft or update your Will. If you’re including a gift to the RSPCA, please use our suggested wording.
step 4
Safely store your Will
Make a copy of your Will, and make sure someone you trust knows where the original is kept. Your legal adviser will often store it free of charge, or you can use the Probate Registry or National Wills Register.
step 5
Let us know
If you do choose to include the RSPCA in your Will – thank you! Knowing your intentions helps us plan our work to protect animals in the future. So, if you feel comfortable letting us know, please complete our ‘decision to leave a legacy’ form.
Suggested wording for your gift
Once you’ve decided whether to leave a residuary, pecuniary or specific gift, you have the option of deciding how you’d like your gift to be used.
Unrestricted or general gifts – gifts the RSPCA can spend where the need is greatest – are the best for vulnerable animals as we can put the money towards our most urgent areas of work.
You may also choose to leave a gift to your local RSPCA branch that supports the care and protection of animals in your community.
You can specify how or where you’d like your gift to be used by leaving a restricted gift. If this interests you, please contact our team to discuss what might be possible on: 0300 1230 239 or email: giftsinwills@rspca.org.uk
Unrestricted gift
“I give the sum of £______ [or specify percentage of estate] to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1GY (registered charity number 219099) for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.”
Restricted gift
“I give the sum of £______ [or specify percentage of estate] to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1GY (registered charity number 219099) for its general purpose and I express the wish but without creating any binding trust that this legacy be used for [specify area of RSPCA work] and I declare that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.”
A gift to a specific RSPCA branch
“I give the sum of £______ [or specify percentage of estate] to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [specify] Branch (specify registered charity number for that Branch) and I declare that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Branch shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy. In the event the aforesaid Branch shall no longer exist at the date of my death I give the legacy to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1GY (registered charity number 219099) for its general purposes.”
How you can pay less Inheritance Tax
Giving to charity could reduce your liability, so we’ve included the following information to help you ensure your Will makes the greatest possible difference to your loved ones and animals in need.
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is based on the value of a person’s estate (i.e. everything you own) on their death and on certain gifts they may have made during their lifetime. There will be a tax free sum called the ‘The Nil Rate Band’ or ‘Inheritance Tax threshold’ which is the value of your estate that is exempt from IHT. This is currently £325,000 for an individual and the portion of your estate over this amount may be subject to 40 percent IHT.
£325,000 may sound like a large sum of money but if you own property and/or have savings or investments, you may find that your estate is worth more than you thought. As mentioned here, taking professional advice can help you save your estate valuable funds to help your loved ones and/or charities.
Gifts in Wills to charities are exempt from IHT and can reduce or eliminate the tax liability. Please seek professional advice when planning your estate.
If you would like more information about donating to charity and reductions to Inheritance tax, you can find more information on the UK Gov Inheritance Tax calculator.
Please note: The Inheritance Tax threshold, and all other figures and facts mentioned here, were correct as at 30 June 2024. For more information on Inheritance Tax please visit: www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax.
I have always loved going for walks and looking for wildlife, and hope my gift will help to look after all the precious creatures once my monthly donations are no longer there.
I’m leaving a gift because time does not stand still and many animals will always need love and help. The RSPCA will do that.
FAQS
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We're hugely grateful for every gift and there are three main types of gift you can leave:
- A percentage gift (otherwise known as a residuary gift) - this is where you set aside a percentage of your remaining estate after funeral expenses, debts and other gifts have been paid. As you may not know the final value of your estate, you may find it easier to apportion gifts to your chosen beneficiaries (individuals or charities) by leaving residuary gifts.
- A cash gift (otherwise known as a pecuniary gift) - this is a gift of a specified sum of money. All gifts make a real difference to the animals we care for, but it’s worth remembering that the eventual value of this type of gift is likely to be impacted by inflation. For example, a gift of £2,000 left today may only be worth £1,500 in 10 years’ time.
- A specific legacy - this is a gift of a specific, named item. For example, it could be property, a piece of jewellery, artwork, or a car.
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Absolutely. Gifts of any size will help make sure we can protect animals in the future, and will be hugely appreciated.
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It’s up to you. If we know that people intend to include a gift to the RSPCA in their Will, it makes it easier for us to plan how we will protect animals in the future. It also gives us an opportunity to say a big thank you to our kind supporters and keep you updated with the amazing work you’ll make possible. If you would like to, let us know by filling in our notification form online.
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It’s your decision and you need to be comfortable. If you change your mind later, that’s fine. If you do choose to change your Will later we recommend you seek legal advice to make sure it still carries out your wishes and all the legal formalities are complied with.
Here to help
Have a question about gifts in Wills? We’re here to help. Find answers to common questions in gifts in Wills FAQs, or contact us and include an email address or phone number so we can get back to you.
- 0300 1230 239
- RSPCA, Gifts in Wills Team, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1GY
Gifts in Wills
*RSPCA’s Trustees reports and accounts. Based on 5-year average.