Gifts in Wills (more formally known as bequests) are donations to charity left in your Will, which are distributed after you have passed. Donations may include a percentage of the value of your estate, a specified amount or shares or property. 

By choosing to leave a gift to VfCA in your Will, you are choosing to continue to protect the health and welfare of the animals you've cared for throughout your life from an issue that will impact them into the future: the changing climate. 

Leaving a gift in your Will also allows you to make a future contribution to a cause you care about, without costing you anything today. Because of this, some may find it easier to leave a larger gift in their Will than may have been possible during their lifetime. 

While it is recommended that you update your Will from time to time (especially if your circumstances change) to ensure it reflects your current wishes, you don’t need to rewrite your Will to leave a gift to VfCA. If your existing Will is otherwise up to date, you can speak to a solicitor to create a codicil, which can add, modify or revoke parts of your Will. 

If you pass away without having a Will your estate will be distributed according to the Administration and Probate Act that applies in your State or Territory. By having a Will suitably prepared, your wishes for the distribution of your estate can be carried out. 

The most powerful way to support the causes you care about is to leave the remainder, or a percentage of the remainder of your assets to charity after other gifts have been distributed. This type of gift does not decline in value over time, and even 1% of the remainder of your estate could make a tremendous difference to our much loved animals. 

The ABN (Australian Business Number) is exclusive to that charity and therefore removes any ambiguity as to which charity you intend to support through a gift in your Will.

Please use VfCA’s full name: Veterinarians for Climate Action Limited along with the ABN 16 636 944 191, to ensure your gift can only go to VfCA. 

Yes! Even a small contribution can make a huge difference towards protecting the health and welfare of animals for climate change. For example, a contribution of just 1% of the residue of your estate will help ensure that VfCA will be able to continue advocating on behalf of our animals for many years to come.  

Generally, when leaving a gift in your Will it is recommended to allow the recipient organisation to determine how this can be used for maximum impact, and say ‘for general purposes’. Given that your gift may not be realised for many years to come, we don’t know what our campaign and other priorities will be at that future time. If your gift is too specific, there is a chance we may not be able to accept it as we may not be able to use the funds in the way you have described in your Will. 

While of course there is no obligation to do so, we would be very grateful if you could let us know. By sharing your intentions, this gives us the opportunity to thank you, to keep you up to date with our work, and it helps VfCA to plan for the future. Any information shared with VfCA will be held in the strictest confidence. 

Of course. We appreciate that your Will is a very personal matter and we will respect your privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times. If you have any particular requests around confidentiality, please let us know. 

All your solicitor needs is our ABN 16 636 944 191 and registered name – Veterinarians for Climate Action Limited

You may wish to use our recommended wording:

I give to Veterinarians for Climate Action Limited (ABN 16 636 944 191) free of all taxes and other deductions (the residue of my estate / a ___% share of my estate / the sum of $___) for its general purposes, and the receipt given on behalf of the Veterinarians for Climate Action Limited shall be sufficient discharge to my trustee.