WAG Newsletter | December 2024
Make the Season Merry and Bright for Pets
Nothing feels better than bringing a little holiday cheer to pets in need. There are lots of ways you can make an impact for pets at the shelter and in our community - learn more below.
A Holiday Gift to the Animals
Your holiday gift to the animals supports our lifesaving programs and makes a difference for every pet who needs our help. Your donation provides medical care, behavior support, and shelter from abuse and neglect, helps pets find loving homes, and ensures we will be here for animals in their time of need. Whether it's a one-time donation or a recurring monthly gift, your contribution makes our work possible.
And if you're still shopping for that animal lover in your life, consider making a donation in their honor! An honorary gift always fits and never goes out of style. You'll send some warm and fuzzy holiday cheer to your loved one, and make a lifesaving difference for the animals, too. And best of all, it's easy. Just click the link below and select the option to dedicate your donation.
Host a Fundraiser
Want to add a little impact to that holiday party? Need an easy and effective option for workplace giving? Want your birthday to benefit pets in need? You can do all that and more with a DIY fundraiser for the animals!
Our fundraising platform provides you with an individual giving page that you can share with your friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone else who wants to support you.
It's easy to create a fundraiser and within minutes you'll be ready to make a difference for pets in our community. Click the link below to get started - and don't forget to personalize your page with your own photo and messages about why you're raising funds for the animals.
Adopt, Volunteer, or Foster
Looking for a way to give back in person? We have some thoughts...
Adopt | Giving a pet a new home is real holiday magic! And adopting at the holidays can be a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your new furry family member. Of course, make sure you're keeping your space simple and safe for your new pet. Not sure what you need to know about pets and the holidays? We're here to help with our November WAG.
Volunteer | Join our team and make an impact for pets in person! Whether it's dog walking, cat care, helping out in adoptions, lending a hand at ReTails, or any of the other incredible opportunities, your help as a volunteer brings some holiday joy to the pets every day.
Foster | When you welcome a foster pet into your home you're supporting them in ways that just aren't possible in the shelter environment. Our fosters truly do save lives! Foster volunteers receive training and support from our staff as well as foster volunteer mentors. Opportunities are flexible and you can select the type of foster placement that works best for you.
Giving Trees
The tree in the HSSW lobby has more than just twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments. It also includes all things the animals need for the holidays! You'll find gift tags for the animals hanging from the tree with suggested donations - grab a tag off the tree and make a difference for pets in need.
Giving Tree Locations:
HSSW Adoption Center | 1100 NE 192nd Ave
ReTails Thrift Store | 5000 E 4th Plain Blvd
Mud Bay - Fisher's Landing | 2100A SE 164th Ave
Tax-Savvy Giving
The end of the year is a great time to ensure that your charitable goals and financial goals are aligned. Our team is here to help! Options like stock gifts, qualified charitable distribution (QCD) and "bundling" your gifts not only make a difference for pets in need, they can have real benefits on your taxes, too. Learn more below.
Stock Gifts
A gift of stock could be right for you if you own publicly-traded securities that you have owned for at least one year. These securities may sometimes provide you with little or no income, but provide a great benefit to the animals of HSSW. Gifting stock avoids federal capital gains tax and most donors can also claim an income tax deduction for the stock's full market value.
Benefits to gifts of appreciated stocks:
- You receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities.
- At the same time, you may avoid capital gains on appreciated stock. This helps stretch your gift even further.
Making gifts of stock online
Thanks to our partners at Freewill, you can donate appreciated securities using their online tool.
The process is simple and takes less than 10 minutes.
Do you have questions before you get started, or prefer to connect with us directly? Contact us - we're here to help!
Making gifts of stock with your broker
If you prefer to work directly with your broker, you may also make a gift of stock directly to HSSW through our Charles Schwab account.
Our legal name: Vancouver Humane Society and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Our DBA: Humane Society for Southwest Washington
Charles Schwab DTN: 0164
Account Number: 8874-0407
When making a gift through your broker, please contact us to notify HSSW of the transfer in advance.
QCD Gifts
Also known as IRA Rollovers, QCD gifts can be one of the most effective ways for individuals over age 70½ to maximize the charitable impact of their IRA. QCD gifts are made directly to HSSW, thereby lowering your adjusted gross income and effectively reducing your income taxes. If you do not expect to need your full retirement plan during your lifetime - and want to support our lifesaving work - QCD gifts could be the solution for you!
Wondering if a QCD gift works for you? Consider the following:
- Donors 70½ years of age or older are eligible to give to HSSW from their IRAs tax-free! These gifts are always tax-free, regardless of whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return.
- If you are 73 years or older, this option will also satisfy a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).
Getting Started
You can learn more and start giving to HSSW by using our free online tool from the trusted experts at Freewill to make your IRA gift. As with all gifts, be sure to consult with a professional if you have questions.
"Bundling" Your Charitable Giving
If your annual gifts to nonprofits, including HSSW, don’t exceed the amount of your standard deduction ($14,600 for an individual, $29,200 for a couple), consider “bundling” your 2024 and 2025 charitable gifts into the same year. For example, if you are able, rather than giving $7,500 in 2024 and 2025, give $15,000 in the same tax year (2024 or 2025). A single person saves more from itemizing a $15,000 charitable deduction, rather than be limited to using the $14,600 standard deduction.
Contact Us
If you have questions or want to learn more about ways to support HSSW, contact Darby Knox at [email protected]
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This simple-to-use tool is easily accessible to animal organizations nationwide and any person who finds a lost pet. If you're looking for a lost pet or trying to reunite a found pet with their worried family, register with Petco Love Lost.