Liz McElroy, veterinarian and animal advocate, gives $50,000 gift in will to save animals

Helping animals – as a veterinarian and as a volunteer – shaped Liz McElroy’s life and career. Liz was passionate about animals and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2010, at the age of 45.

"Liz had a great personal interest in animal rescue, both generally and in response to natural disasters,” says her sister-in-law, Beth McElroy. “She worked with a variety of rescue organizations to help many animals find loving homes. She spent weeks in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, working to provide care for displaced animals and help reunite them with their families or find new homes. She also went home with several new pets.”

A legacy that continues to save animals

Liz requested that a portion of her estate be donated to charities focused on animal welfare. In 2020, IFAW received a generous gift from the estate of Elizabeth M. McElroy ("Liz'') for our Disaster Response and Risk Reduction Fund. For over four decades, IFAW has responded to disasters both domestic and abroad, steadfast in its commitment to each individual animal. The DRRR Fund helps ensure the team can deploy whenever and wherever it is needed most. 

“Liz would have been greatly saddened to know of the many environmental catastrophes that have been impacting animals in our country and around the world since her passing in 2017,” writes Beth McElroy, “but she would have been glad to be able to support your mission. Thank you for your tireless efforts on behalf of animals in need.”

IFAW thanks Liz McElroy and her family for this gift, which will continue her life’s work of assisting animals affected by disasters and of providing hope in the midst of challenge. 

Find out more about IFAW’s work in Disaster Response and Risk Reduction and how you can help.