This article has been written by
Linda Reeves BA, solicitor, the charity's Chairman.
Why everyone should make a Will
Making a Will is the surest way anyone has of providing for others after their death, be it family, friends, pets or charity.
You may feel that you are not wealthy enough, but if you add up the value of your house, car, insurance policies and savings, the total may be more than you realise.
If you are grateful for the affection and companionship you have received from your cat or cats over the years, you may want to provide for them and for the thousands of cats helped every year by Cats Protection, by leaving money to either your local branch or the National Charity.
How to make a Will
You might save money with a "home-made" Will or a printed form from a newsagent but in the long run this could prove to be a false economy since many words and terms have meanings in law which are different from their everyday meanings. So "homemade" Wills do not always mean what the writer thinks they do.
The best way of ensuring that your Will is correct and covers every eventuality is to have it drawn up by a solicitor who can also advise you on important matters of law, inheritance law, taxation, property matters, family problems. You could be pleasantly surprised at how little this personal and confidential service costs.
Leaving money to Cats Protection
Cats Protection is always pleased to be remembered in Wills. Fortunately many of our members and supporters decide to reward the happiness given to them by their own cats by leaving either a specific sum of money or a proportion of the residuary estate to our charity. It is important to specify that you wish the legacy to go to the Brighton and Hove City Branch of Cats Protection.We rely heavily upon such generous gifts in order to continue the ever increasing work with abandoned, homeless and injured cats. It is worth noting that leaving a sum to charity minimises tax liability.
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Your own cats
Do note that you cannot actually leave money to your cat but you can leave money to CP on condition that we care for your cat or cats for the rest of their lives. If you wish to consider doing this you should read our free leaflet What Will Become of My Cat obtainable from Headquarters.
Executorship
Your Executor is the person who takes charge of administering your estate after death. A solicitor can both draw up your Will and act as your Executor if you wish.
Banks also advertise their executorship services but bank charges for acting as Executor are often high. The Chief Executive of Cats Protection will always be pleased to act as your Executor and this will usually maximize the amount of money that goes to help cats.
How can you help?
Remembering Cats Protection in your Will can really help the unwanted and stray cats that come into our care.
Your legacy or bequest would be invaluable to the continuing work of the charity.
It would help us to plan for the future and to make even greater efforts to alleviate the suffering of cats.
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About Cats Protection
Cats Protection was founded in 1927 and is the oldest national charity devoted solely to the welfare of cats.
Its objectives are:
• To rescue stray, unwanted and injured cats, rehabilitate them and rehome them where possible.
• To encourage the neutering of all cats not required for breeding.
• To provide information to the public on the care of cats and kittens. Work is carried out by over 250 voluntary Branches throughout the United Kingdom as well as over 20 Shelters in various parts of the country.
Every year over 75,000 cats and kittens are placed by CP in loving homes, with an even greater number neutered and thousands more treated at the charity's expense.
Cats Protection is supported entirely by members' subscriptions, donations, legacies and bequests and our own fund-raising events. We receive no help from Government or local authorities.
There are some 50,000 members on the Headquarters' roll and several thousand others attached to Branches. New members are always welcome; the annual subscription is modest and includes our bi-monthly journal The Cat.
If you need further information about making a Will and leaving money or cats to CP please write to Dominic Sullivan at CP Headquarters at the address here.
The following clauses may assist your Solicitor in the preparation of your Will:
I give (all my residue) ___(the sum of £___ ) to Cats Protection. Registered National Charity No. 203644 of 17 Kings Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RHI3 5PN to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Chief Executive or other proper officer shall be a sufficient discharge for the same.
I direct that my Executors contact without delay the Headquarters of Cats Protection at 17 Kings Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 5PN and arrange for any cats in my possession at the time of my death to be taken into the charity's care.
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