Animal lover's lasting legacy to pets in need

A lifelong animal lover has ensured her legacy of helping all creatures great and small lives on, by leaving a gift to Blue Cross in her Will.

Mrs Violet Blakey developed her love and compassion for animals when growing up in rural Lincolnshire in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The upset caused by seeing the farm animals she loved and helped rear go to the slaughterhouse remained with her for life, and she was always keen to ensure the welfare of any livestock she encountered.

Her daughter, Marie Pedler, said: “When I was a child we lived next to a cattle market in Louth and she would take water to the animals, and I remember her feeding ponies on Dartmoor whilst on holiday.”

Mrs Blakey, who lived in Hampshire, was also extremely fond of the wildlife in her garden, and never allowed her bird feeder run out of food for her flying visitors.

But it was cats and dogs that held the dearest of places in her heart.

And for the 30 years leading up to her death, she had a succession of beloved Yorkshire terriers. Her last dog, Bonnie, survived Mrs Blakey and now lives with her daughter.

“I cannot remember a time in her life when she was without a pet. There have been numerous cats and dogs over the years, all totally spoilt. She also talked of a dog called Floss and a cat named Smut from her childhood,” said Mrs Pedler.

More than half our income comes from legacies and we are always grateful for the generosity of our supporters, like Mrs Blakey, who help us be there for sick, injured or homeless pets. 

If you’d like to find out more about leaving a gift to Blue Cross in your Will, please visit our legacy information page.