Guardian Angel | PAWS Chicago

An Animal Lover’s Legacy

As you plan for the future, please keep homeless pets in your heart and know you can make a lasting difference.  

Gifts left to PAWS Chicago in your will or trust are placed in a protected fund that ensures our lifesaving efforts for lifetimes to come.  

Not only does your gift save sick, injured, abandoned, and abused animals, it helps build a future where no homeless pet is killed or forgotten again.  

Once you’ve finalized your planned gift, please make sure to email guardianangel@pawschicago.org or call 773-475-4242 and let us know. We can’t wait to thank you! 


Guardian Angel Pet Care Program

What happens to your pet if something happens to you?   

PAWS alumni are always welcomed back with open arms. And for pets not adopted through PAWS, there’s the Guardian Angel Pet Care Program. By planning a minimum gift, you can take comfort knowing your pet will receive best-in-class care and find a new home through PAWS Chicago. 

You’ll also ensure food, shelter, medicine, vet care, and families for countless homeless and at-risk pets long after your lifetime. 



Enroll your pet today and protect their happiness forever. 

Call 773-475-4242 or email GuardianAngel@pawschicago.org  


Guardian Angel Recognition 

By becoming a Guardian Angel, you’re making a difference for countless homeless pets.

Gifts of any amount make a big impact, and we proudly honor each Guardian Angel with:  

­­• Recognition on the walls of our Adoption Center 
• Recognition in the PAWS Chicago Annual Report 
• Invitations to exclusive PAWS Chicago events  
• Invitation to the annual Guardian Angel luncheon 


 

Plan Your Gift To Pets In Need

Your attorney or financial advisor can help you determine the best way to include homeless dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens in your will or trust. But here are a few options to get started:  

Bequests:PAWS Chicago allows you to customize or allocate monetary gifts in any way you like to support your unique passions. (See below for sample attorney language) 

Assets: Real estate, IRAs, insurance policies, personal property, gift annuities, stocks, and trusts can all be planned gifts     

Endowments: There are many opportunities to name programs for individuals or families who wish to leave a portion of their estate to PAWS Chicago


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Sample Attorney Language

Below is specific language that you and your attorney can use. Bequest options include:

States a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or specific property is left to PAWS Chicago. Sample language:
I give, devise and bequeath ____% of my estate (or specific assets) for the benefit of PAWS Chicago, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, FEIN 36-4219778, to be used for its general purposes.

Made when you intend to leave the residue portion of your assets (your residual estate) after other terms of the will have been satisfied. Sample language:
All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to PAWS Chicago, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, FEIN 36-4219778, for its general purposes.

Allows you to leave a portion of your estate to PAWS Chicago if your named beneficiary does not survive you. Sample language:
If [beneficiary name] does not survive me, I devise and bequeath my residuary estate to PAWS Chicago, 1997 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, FEIN 36-4219778, for its general purposes.

Allows you to designate how your gift to PAWS Chicago will be used, such as to name an endowment or to support a specific purpose (i.e., the Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic or the Lincoln Park Adoption Center).
Sample language can vary greatly depending on the bequest. Please consult with your attorney.


Planned Giving FAQs

PAWS Chicago’s tax ID number is 36-4219778.

Please use:
PAWS Chicago
Attn: Guardian Angel
1997 N. Clybourn Ave. Chicago, IL 60614

All unrestricted gifts received through a will or trust are placed in the PAWS Chicago sustainability fund. This ensures our lifesaving programs are safeguarded for the future. It also helps continue our mission to save homeless and at-risk pets, provide affordable spay/neuter, and spread education and awareness throughout the community. 

Let us know! We can’t wait to properly recognize your generosity and invite you to exclusive PAWS Chicago events.  

Please call 773-475-4242 or email guardianangel@pawschicago.org

Once your planned gift is finalized, please send a copy of the portion of your will or trust that pertains to PAWS Chicago for our records. This can be sent to the attention of Betsy Moore at 1997 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL, 60614 or emailed to guardianangel@pawschicago.org

Thank you so much for choosing to help homeless pets forever.