The nation’s love affair with their dogs runs deep, with 51% of owners saying they share the same bond with their dog as they do with children. And over half (53%) said they feel just as emotionally close to their dog as they do to their partner.
The new research by Guide Dogs was commissioned to understand how the nation’s bond with their own dogs influences the legacy they hope to leave behind. It found that nearly one in two (49%) dog owners would put financial plans in place should they die before their dog.
And people aren’t just planning for their dogs, they’re planning because of them, as more than half (53%) said their dog has influenced what they would include. In fact, three-quarters (75%) of dog owners want their legacy to help others experience the companionship their dog has given them. A further 78% said significant life experiences - including owning a dog have prompted them to reflect on the kind of legacy they would like to leave behind. With nearly two in three guide dogs made possible through Gifts in Wills, leaving a gift can turn love for a dog into life-changing independence for someone with sight loss through the charity’s services.
While reflecting on the legacy they’ll leave behind, over two-fifths (45%) admit they have delayed writing or updating their Will, highlighting a gap between intention and action when it comes to putting long-term plans in place.
But a legacy goes beyond leaving a Will, it’s about what we’re remembered for, with over a third (36%) saying their dog makes them want to be a better person, and 28% believing that having a dog has encouraged them to be more generous. Additionally, nearly seven in ten (69%) said their relationship with their dog has influenced the values they live by, while 42% agree their dog has made them more empathetic towards others.
Tish Ley, Legacy Product Manager at Guide Dogs said: “Our research shows that the bond with a dog doesn’t just affect how we live, it shapes how we think about the future. For many people, that connection influences the legacy they hope to leave behind.
“Every day, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight, and with the number of people living with a vision impairment set to double by 2050, the need for our services continues to grow. Nearly two in three guide dogs are funded thanks to Gifts in Wills. By choosing to leave a gift to Guide Dogs, people can turn the companionship they’ve been able to experience with their dogs into life-changing independence for someone living with sight loss.”
By leaving a gift to Guide Dogs - whatever the size - you could help provide future generations of guide dogs, and create a future where people with sight loss can live the life they choose.
To find out more, and get your free Gifts in Wills Guide which shows the impact of special gifts like these, as well as information on writing a Will for free, follow this link to visit our Gifts in Wills pages.
