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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.

Why Leave a Legacy to the DSPCA?

Every year, thousands of animals suffer from cruelty, neglect, or abandonment. 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.

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.

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Job Vacancy: Part-Time Veterinary Surgeon

Role Description: Location: DSPCA, Dublin 16, Ireland Hours: 3–4 days per week Experience Required: 3+ years The DSPCA is Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of animals in need. We are currently seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Surgeon to join our compassionate and experienced team of three veterinary surgeons and four veterinary nurses. About the Role This is a unique opportunity to work in shelter medicine, a field that is both rewarding and…

DSPCA Launch ‘Furrever Friends’

Everyday we see animals being abandoned, neglected, and cruelly treated. We also see pets being surrendered to the DSPCA by their families who can no longer look after them. So far this year, we have received over 300 surrender requests from people wishing to rehome their pets. To raise vital funds and to reinforce the message that adopting an animal should be a well-considered decision that fits each person’s lifestyle we are launching our ‘Furrever Friends’ plush toy collection.

DSPCA Updated Statement: XL Bully Ban

Updated Statement from Pat Watt, DSPCA CEO The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) is concerned and saddened that a number of XL Bully dogs in pounds and shelters around the country are due to be euthanised next week when the nationwide ban on the breed comes into effect on February 1, 2025. The DSPCA does not support breed specific bans for several reasons. Experience in other countries has demonstrated that bans are ineffective in reducing dog…

Ruby’s Case

Ruby, an English Bull Terrier was seized from a person in Ballymun. She pleaded guilty on two counts - failing to get veterinary treatment and failing to safeguard the dogs welfare. She surrendered the dog to the DSPSCA, was prosecuted under the 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act and received a fine of €300. Ruby had a nail bed infection with broken dew claw, skin allergies and infected eyes as well as being underweight. Her condition improved quickly with veterinary…

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.

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.

Remember the DSPCA in Your Will

Why Leave a Legacy to the DSPCA?

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Free Online Will Writing Service

Writing or amending your Will need not be difficult or expensive. DSPCA offers a Free Will Service for our supporters and their partners. You can create a simple Will, free of charge, using an online Will writing service.

FreeWill Ireland

We are a charity partner of FreeWill Ireland. The FreeWill offering will be suitable for many people, but for those with more complex circumstances, it is generally recommended to use the services of a solicitor.

Receive your simple Will guidance

When you have decided you would like to use this service, please contact eleanor.ryan@dspca.ie to receive your unique weblink for your free Will. You will also receive a simple Will Guidance document by return email.

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

Draft your Will

When you’re ready to start drafting your Will, click on the link sent to you to start your free online will.

There are a number of sections and you can review and edit these as you progress.

Once the system has generated your Will (it will be sent to your email), simply print it out and follow the instructions to sign it and have it witnessed.

Store your Will in a safe place. It is recommended to make other relevant people aware of its location.

There is no charge for a standard Will

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). The will can be reviewed either in person or via Zoom.

When you leave our website, you can check the separate privacy policies of FreeWill Ireland and Last Will on their websites.

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Abigail’s Story

Abigail came to the DSPCA from another rescue. She broke her hearts when we saw her arriving into the shelter. She was emaciated and so terrified of everything around her. This poor girl had been through a life of hell and it was so incredibly sad to see. Abigail was a true little angel. She was so sweet and gentle and even through she has been through so much she was so loving and never wanted to do wrong. She…

Gandalf’s Story

At 11 years old Gandalf was left abandoned in a horrible state, severely underweight and suffering from skin disease. Apart from toilet breaks he didn’t leave his bed for the first 2 days, he was exhausted. An incredible team of inspectors, vets, nurses, animal care staff, volunteers and the adoptions team put their hearts and souls into helping this old boy feel better. A truly wonderful family came to meet him and offered their hearts and their home to give…

The Shelter: Animal SOS – Series 4

We are super excited to let all our friends, followers and supporter know that The Shelter: Animal SOS is back with a 4th series starting Friday 19th April on RTÉ One at 8pm. The six-part series, all filmed at the DSPCA in Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 shares the trials and triumphs of our dedicated team of care-staff, vets and volunteers as they fight to save the lives of the many animals that need their help. The series features a huge variety…

Alpha’s Case

Alpha, a black Labrador cross, was seized by the DSPCA Inspectors from Swords, Co. Dublin because he was living in confined space in a side entrance full of dog faeces without shelter. Alpha was also very underweight. Alpha’s owner pleaded guilty to three counts under the Act and received a lifetime ban on the ownership of any dog and a fine of €1,000. On arrival at the DSPCA, Alpha weighed just 19.8kg (30-40kg is normal) but at time of rehoming he…

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.