Gift in will

Remember the DSPCA in Your Will

Since 1840 the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming sick, injured and cruelly treated animals both domestic and wildlife. Your legacy can help ensure that our vital work continues long into the future. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the DSPCA provides food, shelter, medical care, and then finds loving new homes for the animals. But we can’t do it alone.

Why Leave a Legacy to the DSPCA?

Every year, thousands of animals suffer from cruelty, neglect, or abandonment. By including the DSPCA in your Will, you become part of a community of animal lovers committed to a kinder, more compassionate world. Your legacy gift—no matter the size—will help protect animals for generations to come.

How your gift will help

Rescue & Rehabilitation

Your legacy will help save animals from cruelty and provide life-saving medical care.

Rehoming

You’ll help give abandoned pets a second chance at a happy life with a loving family.

Education & Advocacy

Your support helps us teach compassion to future generations and campaign for stronger animal welfare laws.

Sanctuary & Shelter

Some animals are never adopted—but thanks to you, they’ll always have a safe and loving place to call home.

How to start your free online Will

Step 1

Get in touch – email Eleanor Ryan or call 01 499 4730 to receive your unique weblink and guidance booklet by email.

Step 2

Review the guidance booklet before completing your online Will. Plan your will, taking account of your various assets, liabilities and wishes for the future.

Step 3

When you’re ready to start drafting your Free Will, click on the link sent to you to start. There are a number of sections and you can review and edit these as you progress.

Step 4

Once the system has generated your Will , it will be emailed to you. Simply print it out and follow the instructions to sign it and have it witnessed.

Our Charity Partner

FreeWill Ireland

Writing or amending your Will need not be difficult or expensive. Together with our charity Partner FreeWill Ireland our supporters and their partners can avail of a free will writing service.

There is no charge for a standard Will, which is suitable for most people. If you find your Will is more complicated and you want to take legal advice, you can ask FreeWill to refer you to their partner solicitor (but there is as a fee for this).

Make a lasting decision

Miss Alice Mary Swifte, who passed away on the 9th April 1909, at the age of 85, was one of the earliest recorded benefactors of the DSPCA. A devoted advocate for animal welfare, Miss Swifte bequeathed the substantial sum of £4,000—equivalent to approximately €630,000 today—for the specific purpose of protecting cats.

Well before her passing, she had made the considered decision to leave her estate to the DSPCA, expressing a profound wish that cats be afforded equal care and treatment as dogs. Her commitment to the welfare of forsaken and neglected cats has left a lasting legacy. To this day, her vision endures as the DSPCA continues to rescue and rehome thousands of cats annually, while actively lobbying for the advancement of legislative protections in their favour.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to consider when using the Free Will Service?

You can find information before starting your Will at this link. Along with your voucher code, we will also send you a guidance document to help you prepare. More Information – LastWill.ie

Do I have to leave a gift in my Will to this Charity to use this FreeWill service?

No. Your Will is your business so it’s entirely up to you whether you choose to leave us a gift or not.

If I leave a gift to DSPCA in my Will, do I need to let you know?

Unless you tell us, we won’t know you have left a gift until the time comes for your Will to be read. It is always lovely to hear from supporters so we can thank you for your gift and stay in touch, but that is up to you. There is a tick box option in the will to so that we can take note of all bequests made – but people are identified from so doing.

What if I change my mind?

Including a gift to DSPCA in your Will does not make it a binding commitment while you are still alive. You can change your mind and amend your Will again at any time.

I have a trusted solicitor. Can I use them to leave a gift to DSPCA?

Yes, you can use your own solicitor to draw up your Will, although it’s unlikely to be free to do so. Simply tell them you want to include a gift (residuary or cash) to DSPCA in your Will and they will arrange it for you. Once completed, we would be grateful if you could let us know so that we can thank you but you are under no obligation to do so. If you have already written a Will and would like to leave a gift, you can create a codicil with your solicitor, which simply allows you to update part of your Will.