An animal-loving 99-year-old woman has donated more than $3 million to a dog shelter after her death.
Joy Christensen has left $3.6 million to the 113-year-old animal shelter The Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne.
Mrs. Christensen was a widow with no siblings or biological children, but did have a stepdaughter who inherited part of her estate.
The widow, who died in 2020, never indicated in her will how much she would leave to the house, but did indicate in 2003 that it would be a large amount.
The generous donor left behind a significant estate, with her home in Brighton, in Melbourne's south-east, selling for more than $4 million earlier this year.
Joy Christensen was with her bulldog, Bullie, earlier in her life
Ms Christensen's home in Melbourne's Brighton sold for more than $4 million earlier this year
The dog lover also had more than $1 million in savings and other assets.
Ross Anderson, Lost Dogs Home's gifts and wills manager, told Ny Breaking Australia that Mrs Christensen was an amazing woman who gave them an exceptional gift.
“Joy's gift comes at a time when we need it most, especially at this time of year. It's unbelievable,” he said.
The shelter's annual operating costs, including feeding the animals, electricity and veterinary costs, are as much as $20 million.
“Charities are so grateful when these blessings arrive,” Anderson said.
The shelter has had a record 18,032 animals in its care this year, an increase of almost 20 percent over the previous year.
Mr Anderson blamed the cost of living crisis and rental shortages for the increase in the number of animals being handed over to the animal shelter.
'It's a heartbreaking decision. “Some people cannot afford to care for their pets, feed them or pay the medical bills,” he said.
'People find it easier to find a rental property without a pet. There's enough shortage without trying to find one with fences and a garden.'
The generous benefactor was described as an animal lover with a soft spot for dogs.
“By all accounts, she had something of a menagerie. She had birds, rabbits and cared for native animals,” Anderson said.
He added that the widow's father was a cattle farmer and Mrs Christensen grew up surrounded by pets on the family farm in Katamatite, north of Shepparton.
The generous $3.6 million legacy will help thousands of dogs and cats
Mrs. Christensen loved all animals, but had a soft spot for dogs, and was especially fond of her dog Hundi
Throughout her life she worked in accounts at various companies and lived in Brisbane for a while, returning to Melbourne after her husband George Christensen died in the 1960s.
'She has chosen to save animals all her life. And now we will be able to help many more animals find their forever homes,” said Anderson.
“I just hope they become loving and caring homes like Joy's.”
Mrs. Christensen had adopted many dogs and cats from the animal shelter, with Hundi, a blue heeler-corgi cross, being a particular favorite.
“He was full of energy and accompanied Joy on many adventures,” Anderson said.
Later in life she had Holly, who she adopted at Christmas and was a companion dog, as well as many 'sweet' cats.
“The record-breaking legacy came from a woman who was very modest and 'lived very humbly,'” Anderson said.
Ms Christensen made sure to inform the shelter of the donation in her will, in which she wrote down her intentions in 2015.
“I want the home to continue the wonderful and dedicated work they do to help all the innocent animals lost,” she wrote.
'It is important to me to know that all lost animals are well cared for and given a second chance in a happy home.'
The Lost Dogs Home has had 18,032 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies in their care this year – an increase of almost 20 percent from the previous year
The donation will allow the shelter to plan for the future and expand and improve their facilities.
'Our accommodation in Cranbourne is quite simple. We will be able to expand our veterinary clinic and perform advanced surgeries,” Anderson said.
They will also be able to build new kennels and cat enclosures, and make the Cranbourne facility more welcoming to the public.
“We know that if we make it more welcoming to people, we can adopt more animals,” Anderson said.
The shelter currently has nearly 100 dogs available for adoption and hundreds of kittens, which they say is unheard of this time of year.
'It's a wonderful Christmas present. And can you get a more Christmassy name than Joy Christensen? She was definitely Joy by name and Joy by nature,” Anderson said.