The chairman of the ISPCA in Sligo is hopeful that a bequest by a local woman of more than £273,00 to the society will start a new trend in Ireland.
Dr Dorasami Raman said that it was still relatively rare for people to bequeath money to the society but that the RSPCA in Britain received many millions of pounds each year in this way.
"We hope that this may influence people and that they might think of the society when they are making their will. It doesn't have to be a big donation. People who are animal-minded could leave just a small amount," he said.
The £273,000 donation left by a retired nurse, Ms Annie Finnegan, from Upperwood, Grange, Co Sligo, means that the ISCPA can now open the first proper animal shelter in the county, which will be called after her.
Dr Raman said there was "a tremendous need" for such a shelter as the society was constantly dealing with cruelty cases and there was a major problem with stray cats and dogs. While a number of private people in Co Sligo and Co Leitrim ran small shelters, overall animal welfare had a very low profile in the area.
He said that while the bequest was sizeable, the running costs of the shelter would be very high as a property would have to be bought and staff employed. "Without this we would have got nowhere. It is a great boost for us and an extremely good start, but public support will still be needed," Dr Raman said.
The High Court heard last Monday that Ms Finnegan, who died in December 1996, instructed that her two farms in north Co Sligo and other possessions be sold and the proceeds given to the local branch of the ISPCA for neutering and spaying cats and dogs in the area. The court was told that these terms, if strictly adhered to, would not provide a suitable and effective method of using the funds and it was agreed that the Annie Finnegan Animal Shelter Trust be established.
Ms Finnegan, who died at St Phelim's Nursing Home in Dromahair, Co Leitrim, also left small sums for Masses; £5,000 to a donkey sanctuary in Co Cork; £3,000 to the RSPCA; £500 each to a number of cousins; £10,000 to a local woman; and her dwelling to a neighbour.