Estate Gifts

A bequest is a gift made to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington through your will. Bequests are a simple way to make a significant gift to the animals.

Bequests can be for a specific dollar amount or for a percentage of your estate. You can also provide a contingent bequest, which would be honored only if other beneficiaries predecease you. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the full amount of your cash bequest to HSSW or for the fair market value of other donated assets.

Specific Bequest Language
I give to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, EIN 91-0759124, currently located at 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684, the sum of $____ (or ____%) of my estate for its general purposes.

Residual Bequest Language
I give to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, EIN 91-0759124, currently located at 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684, all (or ____%) of the rest, residue or remainder of my estate, both real and personal, for its general purposes.

Contingent Bequest Language
If any of the above-named beneficiaries disclaims or predecease me, I bequeath his or her share to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, EIN 91-0759124, currently located at 1100 NE 192nd Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684, to be used for its general purposes.

Did you know that your pre-tax retirement assets (IRA, 401k) may be taxed up to 60% if you leave them to your heirs when you pass? However, if you leave this asset to a charitable organization like HSSW, they will transfer tax-free.

Naming the Humane Society for Southwest Washington as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement is easy to do. Simply request a Change of Beneficiary Form from your retirement plan administrator and provide them with these details:

Name: Humane Society for Southwest Washington
Address: 1100 NE 192^nd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684
Phone and Fax: 360.693.4746 / 360.693.2338
Tax ID: 91-0759124

You will maintain complete control over the asset while you are living, and the plan will transfer to HSSW free of probate and both estate and income taxes when you pass.

Giving from your IRA Online

You can make your gift online by using our free online tool with our partners at Freewill

• Donors 70½ years of age or older are eligible to give to HSSW from their IRAs tax-free! These gifts are always tax-free, regardless of whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return. 
• If you are 73 years or older, this option will also satisfy a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). 

Getting Started

You can learn more and start giving to HSSW by using our free online tool to make your IRA gift.

A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to support the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy to support the dogs and cats in our care.

If you are considering becoming a St. Francis Circle member, the essential HSSW information you will want to give your attorney is as follows:

Name: Humane Society for Southwest Washington
Address: 1100 NE 192^nd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684
Phone and Fax: 360.693.4746 / 360.693.2338
Tax ID: 91-0759124
Contact:  Darby Knox at dknox@southwesthumane.org or 360.213.2617 

If you have already included HSSW in your will or estate plan, thank you! Please complete the contact form below and we'll be in touch to make sure you are included as a member of the St. Francis Circle.

Up to six pets can be enrolled in Home Again to receive care when a donor enters a long-term care facility, hospice program or after a donor passes. If needed, temporary boarding is also possible.

All pets enrolled in Home Again are treated as VIPs while staying at HSSW. This includes:

• Access to the HSSW foster care program and veterinary team.
• Care, socialization, and enrichment from HSSW staff and volunteers.
• Other services like grooming, play groups, and socialization with other friendly HSSW pets when appropriate.

Add to any will or estate planning documents that you are entrusting your pet to the Humane Society for Southwest Washington's Home Again program.

Name HSSW as a beneficiary of your estate with a minimum $10,000 gift, and provide a copy of the document to HSSW Development Department. Complete the detailed Pet Profile to help shelter staff, foster parents, and future adopter to better know your pet.

Complete the forms below to help our staff, volunteers, and future adopter to better know your pet.

Home Again Enrollment Form
Dog Questionnaire
Cat Questionnaire

Inform your executor, family members, friends and neighbors that you have enrolled in the Humane Society’s Home Again program and instruct them to contact HSSW when the time comes, allowing us to start caring for your pet as soon as possible.