The Animal Welfare League NSW Legacy Program is designed to care for pets after their owners have passed away when a Bequest has been left to Animal Welfare League NSW.
It’s always important to consider the future care of your animals should something happen to you, no matter what stage of life you are in. Whomever you choose to care for them, it’s essential they understand their responsibility and are prepared to value your animal as much as you do.
If you are concerned about the ongoing care for your animal, our Pet Legacy Program is there to provide peace of mind that your beloved companion will be cared for in the future. We can provide you with the reassurance of knowing that your much-loved pet will be taken into care immediately upon your passing; checked over by our qualified vets and placed with one of our trusted Legacy Foster Care families. Whatever their needs, we will make sure that they receive the love, care and support they deserve for the rest of their lives.
We have an Emergency Card Program in place for Legacy pets, ensuring that loved ones, or emergency services, can contact us straight away if needed.
All we ask for in return is a gift that you think is reasonable to help us look after the ongoing care of your best friend.
What Happens When I’m Gone?
1. Once we are notified that your animals need to come into our care, our team will arrange with your solicitor or the Executor of your Will to collect them. They are initially received by our veterinary team at our Kemps Creek shelter for a full health check.
2. Once your pet is assessed, we will then arrange an appropriate permanent foster home for them. Once we have found a home that suits their needs and where we know they will be well cared for and loved, they will transition into the home.
3. Your legacy gift helps cover all their ongoing needs, including medical care, nutrition and wellbeing for the rest of their lives. They will regularly attend our vet clinic and our foster care team will ensure regular check-ins and home visits are conducted.
Legacy animals stay with us for life, and we ensure they’re matched with families who can meet their needs. As your peace of mind is of utmost importance, you are welcome to request certain conditions for the foster home environment, as we will always aim to place pets in a similar environment to where they have come from to ensure their best welfare and comfort.
Registering for the Pet Legacy Program
Please complete the enquiry form or call us on 02 8899 3333 to receive the paperwork required to apply for the Pet Legacy Program.
Successful applicants will receive an Emergency Card, ensuring that loved ones, or emergency services, can contact us straight away if needed.
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Pet Legacy FAQs
Your pet is family, and planning for their future ensures they will always be safe, loved, and cared for.
Here’s how you can register your pet(s) into the Pet Legacy program:
Step 1. Contact Us for a Pet Legacy Application Form
Complete the enquiry form on this page and our Bequest team will get in touch! Alternatively you can call 02 8899 3333.
Step 2. Complete the Application Form
Our team will provide you with an application form. Please ensure any animals you wish to apply for the Pet Legacy Program are microchipped and registered on the NSW Pet Registry under your ownership.
The information requested on the application form is designed to provide us with as much information about your pets, so we can match them with a suitable foster home. This includes everything about their personality, special needs and preferences.
Step 3. Receive your Confirmation Letter and Emergency Card
Your completed form will be reviewed by our team. Upon approval, our Bequest team will send you a registration confirmation letter, Pet Legacy number and Emergency card.
Step 4. Add Pet Legacy Instructions and a Gift in your Will.
To ensure your pet is officially registered in the program, include the following clause in your Will:
“I give and bequeath to the Animal Welfare League NSW (ABN 88 000 533 086):
- All companion animals in my care at the time of my death, to be given to AWL NSW and cared for according to their Pet Legacy Program’s policies and principles; and
- The sum of $[amount] / [percentage]% of my estate / the residue of my estate, to assist with the care of these animals and support the general work of AWL NSW.
AWL NSW will make the final decisions about the care of my animals. A receipt from an authorised officer of AWL NSW will be sufficient to show my executors have fulfilled their duty.”
We strongly recommend you speak with your solicitor or executor of your Will and advise them that any animals left in your possession are to come into our care so they can contact us as early as possible.
The amount you choose to leave for your pet’s future care should align with your overall estate planning goals while also considering factors such as your pet’s age, health, ongoing medical needs, and lifestyle.
For a personalised assessment of how much to set aside to ensure your pet’s long-term wellbeing, please contact us at bequest-legacy@awlnsw.com.au.
Whilst many people have friends or family to take care of their beloved pets once they’re gone, there are many people who do not have this option available to them. Animal Welfare League NSW is proud to be able to offer our Pet Legacy Program to care for animals of people who have passed away, animals who have no one else to turn to. We understand how important it is for animals to be placed in a caring home environment, as a shelter is not the right place for them to grow old in.
Once an animal comes into our care, we search for a perfect permanent foster home for the animal to be placed in. Some animals may have additional needs and require specific families to care for them, but many are just looking for a warm bed and a loving home.
AWL NSW Legacy foster carers must live within a 70 minute drive from our Kemps Creek Shelter, as food and supplies need to be collected from our shelter, and it is home to our veterinary clinic. Legacy foster carers will need their own car and drivers licence and the ability to take the animal to our Kemps Creek vet clinic as required. As Legacy animals are permanent foster animals, they would not suit a home where everyone in the home regularly travels, or is planning on moving far away in the near future.
Legacy carers will undergo a vetting process to ensure Pet Legacy suitability. This will include an interview with our Foster Care Manager and a home visit by AWL NSW staff prior to receiving the legacy animal.
Legacy Foster carers must also agree to yearly home visits by AWL NSW staff (with a day and time arranged prior to attending).
As each legacy animal is considered to be under the care of AWL NSW for the remainder of its life, we will cover all of the animal’s costs – food, litter, medication and veterinary treatment. The Legacy animal can only be treated at our Kemps Creek vet clinic only (except our approved external parter vets in after hours medical emergencies).
Legacy animals cannot be given away under any circumstance. AWL NSW has been entrusted with overseeing the care of these animals for the rest of their lives. It is of utmost importance that we know where they are living and who is caring for them. If for any reason you are unable to care for the animal, it must be returned to the care of AWL NSW.