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Legacy Giving

A gift in your will is one of the most powerful things you can do for the animals that need us most. It costs nothing today, and it changes everything tomorrow.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated

Why Leave a Gift to WARN

WARN is at the beginning of something important. The infrastructure we are building — mobile vet clinics, sanctuary land, anti-trafficking partnerships, de-snaring patrols — will protect animals for decades to come.

A legacy gift is an investment in that future. It ensures that when the next crisis strikes, and when the next endangered animal needs a safe place to go, WARN has the resources to respond.

Legacy gifts of any size make a difference. A residual gift (a percentage of what remains after specific bequests) is the most flexible and often the most valuable option for a young not-for-profit organisation.

Types of Legacy Gift

  • Residual gift: A percentage of your estate after specific bequests are fulfilled. Often the most valuable type for a not-for-profit organisation.
  • Pecuniary gift: A fixed sum of money, regardless of the size of your estate.
  • Specific gift: A specific asset — property, shares, or a valuable item.

Sample Wording

For a residual gift, your solicitor can use wording such as:

"I give [X% of my residuary estate / the sum of £X] to World Animal Rescue Network CIC (Company number 17298990), a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales, to be applied for the benefit of its community purposes."

Speak to Us First

We would love to talk with you about your wishes. There is no obligation, and everything is confidential.

Email us about legacy giving

A legacy in their name

For many supporters, a legacy begins with one animal they could never forget. You can honour them today with a tribute on our pet memorial wall or a gift in memory — and carry that dedication into your will.

Honest answers about legacy giving

Including the answer most organisations avoid: because WARN is a CIC rather than a registered charity, legacy gifts do not receive charity inheritance-tax relief. You give because it matters — and we make sure it counts, with an 80% programme-spend target and a statutory asset lock.

Frequently asked questions

Is a gift to WARN exempt from inheritance tax?
No — and we would rather tell you that plainly. WARN is a Community Interest Company, not a registered charity, so legacy gifts to WARN do not qualify for the charity inheritance-tax exemption. Gifts to us are driven by belief in the mission, not tax planning. Your solicitor can advise on your estate as a whole.
Can I leave a gift in memory of a pet or loved one?
Yes. Many of our supporters dedicate their legacy to an animal they loved. You can also add a tribute to our memorial wall today at in-memory giving — and your solicitor can note the dedication in your will.
What if my estate is small?
Every legacy matters. Even 1% of a modest estate can fund veterinary care for working animals or keep a de-snaring patrol in the field. There is no minimum.
How do I know the money will be used well?
WARN holds an 80% programme-spend target, a statutory asset lock that prevents assets leaving the community purpose, and a public commitment to report what grants achieve. See our Impact & Accountability page for the standing commitments.