Like you, everyone here at The Lost Dogs’ Home understands there’s nothing quite so special as the wonder of loving a pet – and being loved unconditionally by them in return.
But so many cats and dogs miss out on this wonderful feeling because they are lost, abandoned, mistreated or abused. Tragically, these vulnerable animals are living without the love they so desperately need to survive and thrive.
Including a thoughtful bequest gift to The Lost Dogs’ Home in your Will is one of the most powerful things you can do to help create a kinder world for frightened and vulnerable pets. They all need a safe, loving place to call home.
Learn why and how to leave a gift in your Will to support vulnerable animals long into the future.
Make sure the animals in your life are loved and cared for after you’re gone.
Having an up-to-date Will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Online Will-writing websites are designed to make writing or updating your Will as easy as possible, through a secure step-by-step process. There is no obligation to include a gift in your Will to support the work of The Lost Dogs’ Home. However, if you do choose to include a bequest gift to the Home, your legacy could make a lasting difference to the lives of the next generation of lost and abandoned pets.
To help you with your online Will-writing, we’ve partnered with three companies – EveryWill, Safewill and Willed – all with websites that provide legally valid online Wills. If your estate or your family circumstances are complex, we recommend that you seek legal advice or consult a solicitor.
When you’re ready to start writing your Will, please consider using one of our trusted online Will partners:
The Lost Dogs’ Home works tirelessly to give thousands of lost and abandoned cats and dogs the best chance of having a happy and healthy life.
This is only made possible by thoughtful, animal-loving people like you. Many of our donors have kindly chosen to let us know that they’ve included a bequest gift in their Will, to help save more lost cats and dogs in the future.
To get in touch with our friendly Gifts in Wills Team, please complete the fields in this form, letting us know your thoughts or asking any questions you may have for us and we’ll be back in touch with you as soon as possible.
Gifts in Wills Information for your Solicitor:
The legal name of our charity is “The Lost Dogs’ Home”.
Our ABN is 84 004 789 726.
Our registered address is 2 Gracie Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051.
To contact our friendly Gifts in Wills Team please call us on (03) 8379 4496 or email us at wills@dogshome.com.
If you’d like to chat about remembering your pet in your Will or including a gift to the Home in your Will, please contact us on (03) 8379 4496 or email wills@dogshome.com with any questions.
Or you can click on the button below to get in touch with our friendly Gifts in Wills Team – we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Jane, Peggy and Harvey
Between a tight-knit family and wide circle of friends, Jane leads a busy life. But she says it wouldn’t be the same without animals to share it with her.
“I can’t imagine not having pets in my home. They’re entertaining and genuinely uplifting. Having someone greet you when you get home from work is a wonderful feeling.”
Jane currently shares her home with two dogs, Peggy and Harvey, both adopted from The Lost Dogs’ Home. She says animals seem to have a ‘sixth sense’ for when she needs extra affection.
“After an operation a few years ago, I had to rest at home with my leg elevated. Bessie, my dog at the time, just knew something was wrong and sat with me. It was very comforting.”
Jane has kindly chosen to remember The Lost Dogs’ Home in her Will, in appreciation of the caring bonds that she’s had with her pets.
“I hope my bequest gift will help ensure the Home is always here for lost, stray, abandoned and neglected animals.”
Barry and Buddy
Dogs and cats have played a huge role in Barry’s life for as long as he can remember.
“Animals were always part of my family growing up. I can’t imagine not having one around. They bring so much unconditional love and joy.”
When Barry bought his first home with his partner Stan back in 1974, they soon adopted a furry new family member, Charlie, from The Lost Dogs’ Home. Since then, they have adopted three other dogs from the Home, including Barry’s current companion, Buddy.
Barry says Buddy has been a source of love and comfort, especially after Stan sadly passed away in 2010. “Cats and dogs are the best medicine. When you’re down, they’re always there, ready to love you. They’re great company.”
Barry chose to include a gift in his Will to The Lost Dogs’ Home, in loving memory of Stan and all the cats and dogs who brought love and happiness to their lives.
“I hope the bequest gift I’m leaving in my Will helps the Home to continue its wonderful animal welfare work.”
Amy and Buttons
Amy was amongst one of The Lost Dogs’ Home’s most dedicated supporters. She started donating to the Home in the 1980s and continued supporting it for the rest of her life. During that time, her kindness and gifts touched the lives of thousands of lost animals.
Caring for others was in Amy’s nature. She spent her working life caring for new mothers and babies as a nurse in charge of the midwifery ward at Footscray Hospital.
Amy was also very passionate about the well-being of stray and abandoned cats and dogs. It was a passion inspired by the love of her own faithful cat, Buttons, who was a much-loved companion in her later years. Buttons provided her with much-needed comfort, warmth and friendship.
Amy chose to remember the Home in her Will by including a bequest gift to give future generations of lost pets the opportunity to be loved, and be able to love in return.
Lee and Harry
Lee wasn’t planning on adopting a dog when she first met Harry the Whippet at The Lost Dogs’ Home.
“I looked at him and he looked at me, and we just clicked,” she says. “I had no intention of adopting a dog that day, but I came home with a Whippet!”
Harry soon became a special member of Lee’s family, and the pair spent eight happy years together.
When Harry sadly passed away, Lee chose to honour her loyal companion by including a gift in her Will to the Home. She also wanted to show her appreciation for the wonderful team at the Home that made it possible for Harry to come into her life.
“The staff at the Lost Dogs’ Home have all got such big hearts, are passionate about animals and they do a magnificent job,” she explains.
“Harry was such a loving dog, friendly to all he met. I think that is testament to the animal-loving people who work at the Home.”
Joy's act of kindness
From her earliest days, animals filled Joy’s childhood home with warmth and the unconditional love only cherished pets can give.
Over the years, she welcomed many faithful furry companions into her life.
Joy’s bond with animals inspired her to start donating each month to the Home. All of her kind donations helped many lost dogs and cats find their forever homes.
But her greatest act of kindness came after she passed away.
After caring for her loved ones, Joy thoughtfully left the rest of her estate to care for thousands of lost cats and dogs at the Home.
Joy’s incredible legacy is helping to build new animal care and adoption facilities -, giving even more lost and abandoned pets the love, shelter, and second chances she valued so deeply.
Thanks to Joy’s extraordinary gift – and others like it – the good work of the Home can continue long into the future.
Marion and Robbie
Marion has always shared her home and her heart with some beloved pets.
When Marion first met Robbie, his big heart and even bigger personality filled her life with laughter, cuddles, and unconditional love.
Marion knows she needs to think about the future. That’s why she’s left clear instructions in her Will about re-homing Robbie with someone who knows how to love him the way she does – someone who will cherish his quirks and his boundless affection.
And Marion hasn’t stopped there.
She’s also included a kind gift in her Will to support the Home that’s been helping lost, surrendered and abandoned pets like Robbie for generations.
“I’ve always supported The Lost Dogs’ Home. I love the work they do.”
Through her thoughtful gift, Marion’s love for animals will live on. Her legacy will be one of kindness, compassion, and hope for every paw that crosses the Home’s doorstep.
