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A 99-year-old animal-loving woman has donated more than $3 million to a dog shelter after she died.
Joy Christensen bequeathed $3.6 million to the 113-year-old The Lost Dogs Home animal shelter in Melbourne.
Christensen was a widow and had no siblings or biological children, but she did have a stepdaughter who inherited part of her estate.
Died in 2020, the widow never specified in her will how much she would leave to the house, but she did indicate in 2003 that it would be a large sum.
The generous donor left behind a significant estate: her home in Brighton, in Melbourne’s south-east, sold for more than $4 million earlier this year.
Joy Christensen earlier in her life with her bulldog, Bullie
Ms Christensen’s home in Brighton, Melbourne, sold for more than $4 million earlier this year.
The dog lover also had more than $1 million in savings and other assets.
Lost Dogs Home gifts and wills manager Ross Anderson told Daily Mail Australia that Ms Christensen was an incredible woman who had given them an exceptional gift.
‘The gift of joy comes at our time of greatest need, especially this time of year. It’s amazing,’ he said.
The annual cost of running the shelter, which includes feeding the animals, electricity and vet bills, amounts to a staggering $20 million.
“Charities are very grateful when these blessings come,” Mr Anderson said.
The shelter has had a record 18,032 animals placed in its care this year, an increase of nearly 20 percent from the previous year.
Anderson blamed the cost of living crisis and rental shortages for the increase in the number of animals surrendered to the animal shelter.
‘It is a heartbreaking decision. “Some people can’t afford to care for their pets, feed them or pay medical bills,” he said.
‘People find it easier to find rental properties without pets. There’s enough of a shortage without having to look for one that comes with fences and a garden.’
The generous benefactor was described as an animal lover who had a soft spot for dogs.
From all indications, he had some sort of menagerie. “He had birds, rabbits and looked after native animals,” Mr Anderson said.
He added that the widow’s father was a rancher and that Christensen grew up surrounded by pets on the family farm in Katamatite, north of Shepparton.
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 particularly preferred her dog Hundi.
Throughout her life she worked in accounts at various firms and lived in Brisbane for a time, returning to Melbourne after the death of her husband George Christensen in the 1960s.
‘She chose her entire life to rescue animals. And now we will be able to help many more animals find their forever homes,” said Mr Anderson.
“I just hope they are loving, caring homes like Joy’s.”
Ms. Christensen had adopted many dogs and cats from the animal shelter, with Hundi, a corgi and blue heeler cross, being one of her favorites.
“He was full of energy and accompanied Joy on many adventures,” Mr Anderson said.
Later in life he had Holly, whom he adopted at Christmas, and was his pet dog, as well as many “lovely” cats.
“The record-breaking legacy came from a woman who was very modest and lived very humbly,” Mr. Anderson said.
Christensen made sure to inform the shelter about the legacy in his will and wrote down his intentions in 2015.
“I want the Home to be able to continue the wonderful and dedicated work they are doing to help all the innocent lost animals,” she wrote.
“It is important to me to know that all lost animals are well cared for and given a second chance at a happy home.”
The Lost Dogs Home has had 18,032 dogs, cats, kittens and puppies in its care this year, an increase of nearly 20 percent from the previous year.
The gift has allowed the shelter to plan for the future and they will now be able to expand and improve their facilities.
‘Our shelter in Cranbourne is pretty basic. We will be able to expand our veterinary clinic and perform sophisticated surgeries,” Mr Anderson said.
They will also be able to build new kennels and cat accommodation, as well as make the Cranbourne facility more welcoming to the public.
“We know that if we make it more welcoming for people, we can get more animals adopted,” Mr Anderson said.
The shelter currently has almost 100 dogs available for adoption and hundreds of kittens, which they say is unheard of this time of year.
‘It’s a beautiful Christmas gift. And can you get a more Christmassy name than Joy Christensen? She was definitely Joy in name and Joy in nature,” Mr Anderson said.