August is National Make a Will Month
It can be hard to talk about but so important to plan and we get many people asking how to do this or how to make sure their cats will be cared for.
August is National Make a Will Month — the perfect reminder to take care of something that’s easy to put off but so important: making a will. Creating or updating your will ensures your wishes are carried out, your loved ones are cared for, and the causes you hold dear are supported for years to come.
For animal lovers, a will can also be a way to leave a lasting legacy for the cats at Furry Friends, helping ensure that stray, abandoned, and special-needs cats receive care long after you’re gone. Planned gifts are an incredible way to provide stability for our rescue mission and continue your compassion into the future.
Steps to Leave Money to Furry Friends in Your Will
1. Decide on the Type of Gift
You can leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or even the remainder after other gifts have been made.
Specific bequest: “I give \$xxxxx to Furry Friends…”
Percentage bequest: “I give x% of my estate to Furry Friends…”
2. Use Our Correct Legal Information
To make sure your gift reaches us, include our full legal name and address in your will:
Furry Friends
6715 ne 63rd Street Suite 450
Vancouver WA 98661
EIN: 91-2002817
3. Consult Your Attorney or Estate Planner
An attorney can make sure your wishes are clearly written and legally binding. They can also explain tax benefits that may come from charitable giving.
4. Let Us Know About Your Gift
Sharing your plans with us allows us to thank you during your lifetime and ensure your legacy is honored.
5. Review and Update Regularly
Life changes — so should your will. Review it every few years or after major events to ensure it reflects your current wishes.
By including Furry Friends in your will, you ensure that vulnerable cats will always have a safe place to land, compassionate care, and a chance at a happy future. It’s a gift that will ripple out in love and comfort for years to come.
This August, take the time to create or update your will — and consider making a difference that lasts a lifetime (and beyond).
If you have questions, contact us at information@FurryFriendsWA.org
Furry Friends: A Love-Filled Lifeline for Cats
Founded in 1999 in a volunteer’s home, Furry Friends has grown to become the largest "cat-only" rescue organization in the area. What started with a small group of passionate individuals has blossomed into a full-fledged shelter supported by 200 dedicated volunteers. Over the years, Furry Friends has made significant strides, adopting out 725 cats and kittens in 2024 alone, setting a new record for the organization.
Jenn Hutchman, Furry Friends’ Executive Director, shares, “Without our help and the support of our community, many of these cats would have faced euthanasia, been left to fend for themselves on the streets, or continued to contribute to the overwhelming overpopulation issue.” The crisis of homeless, abandoned, and abused cats in the region is at critical levels, prompting Furry Friends to focus on the most vulnerable.
As Marketing Director Diane Stevens explains, “The number of cat hoarding situations we encounter in Clark County is staggering. Many of the cats we rescue come from these heartbreaking environments.”
Despite the overwhelming need, Furry Friends does not receive city, county, or state funding. The organization relies heavily on fundraising and small grants to keep operations running smoothly.
Giving Back to the Community
· Cat Food Pantry. Sometimes the difference between keeping your cat or having to relinquish them can be not having the means for a few months’ worth of food. One of our Furry Friends missions is to help keep pets in their homes through temporary hardships by supplying food. All food has been donated to Furry Friends. We can also help supply food for feral colonies.
· Pet Resource Page. We have a pet resource page on our website itemizing organizations that can help the community with spay/neuter, pet food, and medical assistance that can be found at: http://furryfriendswa.org/pet-resources/.
· Education. We publish cat education stories for the public as a way of educating them about the best ways to care for their own cats and the feral cats in our community. Cat Tale stories are written by award winning writer and Furry Friends volunteer Nomi Berger. http://blogs.columbian.com/cat-tales/
About Furry Friends
Furry Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit no-kill cat rescue serving Clark County, Washington and adjacent counties. Founded in 1999, we are an organization that rescues and then adopts out homeless, relinquished, and abused cats. We shelter and care for them as long as it takes to find them forever homes. For more information about Furry Friends, please visit the website at https://www.furryfriendswa.org/ or contact us at information@furryfriendsWA.org.