Memorial Program for Companion Animals

The loss of a beloved pet can be a truly devastating experience, sometimes causing emotion as intense as that felt over the loss of a human family member. At times like this, expressing compassion and understanding can be immensely comforting. A memorial contribution in the pet's name shows your sensitivity in a way that will help other companion animals live healthier lives. 

To make a gift in memory of a pet, visit our online donation page. After adding the gift amount on the first screen, click “Continue.” On the next page, add the “In memory of” information.

Planned Gifts

Unlike cash gifts, planned gifts provide financial resources for Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell’s future while you receive immediate tax benefits and/or income based on the investment type you choose. If you would like to discuss any of these options below, please contact the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Alumni Affairs and Development at 607-253-3745 or petfriends@cornell.edu.

Bequests

You can help ensure better health for future generations of cats and dogs by naming Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell as a beneficiary in your will.

If you decide to bequeath money or property to Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell, you and your lawyer may find the following examples of language helpful:

1. An unrestricted bequest for general purposes: I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Cornell University, an educational corporation in Ithaca, New York, for the benefit of Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell {.... Dollars} {.... Percent} {all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate}.
2. A bequest for endowment: I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Cornell University, an educational corporation in Ithaca, New York, for the benefit of Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell {.... Dollars} {.... Percent} {all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate} to establish and endowment fund to be known as the {(name of) Fund}, the income from which shall support the research, education and outreach programs of the Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell.

Gifts to establish a permanent endowed fund are subject to minimum gift amounts established by the Cornell University Board of Trustees. The current minimum for unrestricted endowment funds is $100,000.

Life Income Agreements 

This option allows you to make Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell the remainder beneficiary of a trust you create during your lifetime while retaining income for yourself and /or that of a second beneficiary. You receive an immediate tax deduction when you create your trust.

Trusts 

By establishing a trust, donors either name the Center as the trust beneficiary or place assets in a trust fund that will generate income for the Center over a specified term.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact our Office of Alumni Affairs and Development by phone (607-253-3745) or email (petfriends@cornell.edu).