Leaving a gift in your Will

The HSA’s work is only possible because of the generous support of those who leave a legacy.  Gifts left in wills make up over 50% of our income, so every one is extremely valuable to us. A gift in your will, regardless of size, will ensure that we can continue to make a lasting difference to the welfare of food animals during marketing, transport and slaughter.

Gifts left in wills have enabled the HSA to grow from simple beginnings in 1911 to become an organisation that has led and/or contributed to major changes in attitudes towards animals, with scientific and technological developments resulting in huge improvements in methods for slaughter or killing.  The HSA believes high standards of animal welfare must continue beyond the farm gate and is the only UK charity exclusively promoting the humane treatment of all food animals including cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, fish and “exotic” species such as deer, during transport, marketing and slaughter or killing for welfare reasons and disease control. 

Since its foundation, it has built an international reputation for being a reliable, knowledgeable and practical organisation with a sound understanding of livestock and livestock handling.  Significant improvements continue to be achieved by the HSA through working constructively alongside agricultural, meat industry, veterinary and other welfare and professional organisations. 

HSA training and funded research and education materials have already made a real difference to the lives of millions of animals, but there are many parts of the world where much could be achieved by improving understanding of humane transport, marketing and slaughter of food animals.  There is still, also, a need for research to improve the welfare of animals around the time of slaughter.

We do not receive any government or lottery funding, so we rely upon the kindness and generosity of our supporters to help us continue our essential work.

If you wish to tell us that you have remembered the HSA in your Will it gives us the chance to say thank you.  It also helps to shape our future direction so we can continue in our efforts to improve the welfare of food animals for generations to come.  Anything you tell us will be treated with respect and absolute confidentiality.

Whatever you decide to do, we would be very grateful to be kept informed as it helps us plan further communications to you.  Thank you.

Further information

The HSA is happy to answer any initial queries you may have about making a Will but we also recommend that you take the advice of an independent adviser such as your solicitor.  Some banks also offer advice.  For further information about leaving a gift to the HSA in your will please contact us on +44 (0)1582 831919 or request an information pack (link to downloadable legacy brochure). 

A lasting gift to the future of animal welfare

Leaving a legacy is a wonderful way to make sure your care for animals and their welfare will live on.   Legacies are vital to our work, a fact that most of our supporters don’t realise. Over 50% of our income for last year was received from gifts that people have kindly left in their wills.

Your legacy will be used effectively to make a lasting difference

The HSA knows that writing your Will is a private matter and can present difficult decisions. We understand that your family will always come first no matter what, but we guarantee that even the smallest gift towards our work will be put to effective use.

The HSA works tirelessly to continue to improve the welfare of food animals around the world by providing training, education and advice, visits to markets and slaughterhouses, funding towards the improvement of animal handling facilities and for essential research into more humane methods of slaughter.  A gift to the HSA will make a lasting difference for millions of animals worldwide.  A gift, large or small really does make a difference. They allow us to:

1. provide technical information and advice on all aspects of animal handling, transport and slaughter
2. provide training in humane methods of handling and slaughter of livestock
3. produce educational and technical publications
4. give independent advice to governments, other welfare organisations and the food industry
5. make regular visits to markets and slaughterhouses
6. provide funding for research projects
7. continue the development and application of scientific advances
8. provide grants towards improvement of animal handling facilities in markets and slaughterhouses

How to leave a gift

Making or amending a Will is not difficult and probably not as expensive as you might think.

Why it’s important to make a will

Having an up to date Will is important for you to ensure that your wishes are met, that your family and dependents are provided for and that changing circumstances are taken into account.  Ensuring your loved ones are looked after is a priority for most people and a Will can help you to protect the people closest to you. Even if you don’t consider you have much to leave, it is still important to make a will. If you die without a will (intestate), your money, property or possessions may not be allocated in the way you would have wished, or expected.

What to consider in your will

First of all, you’ll want to take care of your family and friends and specify what you would like to leave to whom. If you have pets, you may wish to make provision for them too to ensure that their future is secure.  

The next step is to consider the charities you care about and whether you would like to leave a gift to help them continue their work in your memory.

Three different ways to leave a gift in your will

Residuary
You can leave the HSA part of the entire residue of your estate (the balance left after specific cash gifts, debts, tax and funeral expenses have been paid). This is a great way to support us as it keeps pace with inflation.

Pecuniary
A pecuniary legacy leaves a specific amount to the charity. This cash sum can be of any size.

Specific
You might choose to leave a particular article to the charity, such as a parcel of land or an item of valuable jewellery, which can then be sold to raise funds.

Already made a will?

If you have already made a will, it’s simple to make changes to it. You can either add a supplement to your existing will, called a codicil, or, if the changes are quite substantial, it may be better to make a new will.

Meet with your solicitor

Before you seek professional advice, prepare a few facts and figures as this will enable you to make the most of your consultation time.  .

Have a list of your assets with rough estimates of what you think they are worth, a list of any outstanding debts you may have and a list of beneficiaries, including any charities and their registered charity numbers, you would like to include in your Will. 

Solicitor Help for Donations

If you’ve decided to remember the HSA in your will, you may wish to include the charity’s full name, address and charity number to ensure your bequest goes to the right charity. 

Official address:

The Humane Slaughter Association
The Old School
Brewhouse Hill
Wheathampstead
St Albans
Herts AL4 8AN
Charity Registered in England and Wales No 1159690 : Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Donate in memory of a loved one

We are always extremely sad to learn of the death of one of our members or supporters. Leaving a gift in memory of a loved one, friend or pet is a wonderful way of remembering and celebrating their life.  Gifts donated in this way mean a great deal to us. If you would like to speak to someone about making a donation in memory of a loved one please contact us on 01582 831919.

Funeral Collections

Asking for donations at a loved one's funeral is a lovely way to honour their memory and, when arranging the funeral of a loved one, many people kindly choose to offer donations to a charity in lieu of flowers.

Many funeral directors will be able to arrange a collection and forward the donations on your behalf directly to the HSA but if you would prefer to organise your own collection then please email info@hsa.org.uk or call us on 01582 831919.

We would like to thank you for thinking of our work to improve the lives of animals at this difficult time.