Where There's A Will...There's a Way

LEGACY SOCIETY

On behalf of the cats we would like to express our heart felt thanks to the following supporters who have advised us that they have made provisions for the cats in their estate planning:

Anonymous
Candace Barbara
Carole Baskin
Ebe Bower
Lynne Daub
Patricia Francis
Stephen Hutnik
Sharon Spence Lieb
David H. Lytle
Jean Matusinka (deceased)
Marcella Mirande-Ketcham
Terry Nordblom
Pat O’Shea
Nancy Rodgers
Veronika Silvani
Diane Smith
JR Smolarz
Patricia L. Webber
Karen Wells
Carol Wettersten

We are an organization fortunate enough to have an unusually loyal and committed group of members. These good people provide the financial, material, and volunteer services that allow us to care for the many animals in our care. These same members often talk to us about including Big Cat Rescue  in their will as they plan for the time after they are gone.   

Typically, the support you provide Big Cat Rescue comes out of your annual income. The disposition of your estate following your death is a much more thought provoking matter. People want to provide for family and loved ones in a way that reflects the relations they had when they were alive. Similarly, they often want to help ensure that those charitable causes that were important to them receive support after they are gone. It's a nice thing to imagine that even though we have passed on, the animals for whom we cared so much before will still receive the benefits of our lifelong work and enduring compassion. It is also humbling and very moving to us at Big Cat Rescue when these kinds of gifts arrive. They are a strong statement about the giver's values and aspirations as well as an affirmation of their commitment to animals and their confidence that we will reliably continue to carry out that commitment as we translate their posthumous support into hands-on animal care.

Thank you for remembering wildlife as you prepare your will and for thinking about Big Cat Rescue as the continuing vehicle for that memory.  Let us know that you have made arrangements for the animals and we will add your name to our Legacy Society.  

Your Will

One of the simplest ways to make a planned gift without even changing your will is through a codicil, which is a separate document that is like an addition or amendment to your will.  The links below contain Sample Codicil Forms applicable in Florida, one worded for a male donor (Testator), one for a female donor (Testatrix).  The forms are provided only as samples to acquaint you with them, they are not intended as legal or tax advice.  It is highly advisable to consult with a qualified financial advisor and/or attorney to do your planned giving.
 
Codicil Form - Female Donor  Codicil Form - Male Donor
 
Another is simply to name a charity as beneficiary on a brokerage account or insurance policy.

Contact Big Cat Rescue for Information about Wills and Bequests.  We have some wonderful attorneys who donates their time to Big Cat Rescue who can help you plan your will for a very reasonable fee.  Let us know if you want us to have one of them contact you.

Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, all Big Cat Rescue programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift to Big Cat Rescue helps to ensure the future of the services and programs we provide in your community and worldwide and may further your financial goals.

What are planned gifts… Planned gifts include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, gifts of life insurance, pooled income funds, and charitable trusts.

Bequest
Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming Big Cat Rescue as a beneficiary in their wills.