Leave a legacy - helping to transform animals' lives

The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, an animal welfare charity in Gloucestershire are promoting a Free Wills Month offer throughout June. After providing for your loved ones, by leaving even just 1% of your estate to the charity, you could make a huge difference to vulnerable animals like Leah for years to come.

When Leah came into the care of the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home she was completely emaciated and heavily matted from head to toe. She was in pain and the skin on her head was inflamed from pulling on her matts. After a few weeks of TLC, a nutritious diet, veterinary care, and all the matted hair removed she was ready to find a new home. She was soon adopted and she will live out the rest of her days in comfort with a loving family to call her own. Now called ‘Dame Dolly Doodle Poodle’ her adopters reported:

"She LOVES her walks AKA "outdoor adventures" and she is very happy running through the fairy woods. She still seeks food, this is definitely her goal in life at the moment but has grown to understand that we will always feed and take care of her.

Dame Dolly has made new doggy friends on her adventures, she is very well behaved and enjoys their company. She has also made many human friends, who always stop to talk to her.

She loves to cuddle on the sofa, have her coat brushed, assist with chores, sunbathe in her Cinderella carriage and help Nanny Jan with the school run, where she gets another woodland walk. Her coat and body have grown brilliantly, she is blooming and our lives are now complete."

The charity transforms hundreds of animals’ lives, just like Leah every year.

Jane Ellis, Fundraising Manager said “We could not help animals like Leah without the generosity of our supporters and legacy gifts. Legacy gifts account for a large proportion of our income and they are so important to the future of the charity and all the animals we help.

We know that writing your will is one of the most important things you can do. So to make it as easy as possible the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home are offering you the chance to write your will for free throughout the month of June. You don’t have to leave a gift in your will to the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home to take advantage of this will writing offer, but if you were able to help in this way, we would be very grateful.”

A will allows you to decide how your assets are divided amongst your family and friends and who should look after any dependents that you leave behind. Surprisingly, two-thirds of the adult population do not have a valid will, leaving the courts to take these decisions on their behalf.

They have made the process as simple as possible by teaming up with The Goodwill Partnership to offer you the opportunity to write your will for free. To make your will, you will receive a home visit from a trained local counsellor at a time of your choosing, and your will is then professionally drafted by a panel solicitor.

To book your appointment directly with The Goodwill Partnership, call 01492 510340 quoting CDCH JUNE or simply visit