Some people are reluctant to adopt a cat from a shelter because they are worried about ending up with a cat with permanent problems. Others are certain that shelter cats with problems really are wonderful cats who simply need love. And… sometimes they are both right. This inspiring story is from the wonderful Way of Cats blog and tells the story of how they fell in love with a kitten at a shelter who had very little chance of being adopted, because of developmental problems. Problems that were from horrible neglect as a tiny kitten. How lucky this kitten was to find them, and vice versa! “Every cat in a shelter has a problem.” Way of Cats writes, “But most of the time, it’s something quite easily fixed: the problem is they don’t have a home.” Click here to read about how their rescued kitten is doing, and make sure you watch the videos at the end!
Month: April 2011
We Love Pet-Friendly Employers!
At Adopt-a-Pet.com, we’re not just passionate about pet adoption, but also about programs that help people keep the pets they already have in their family. One thing we especially love are pet-friendly employers! The encouragement and backing of an employer can help prevent pets from being relinquished to an
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| Just another day at TargetCW |
imal shelters. It’s also beneficial to the company; evidence shows that a pet-friendly atmosphere leads to a more productive work setting and happier office culture, especially in companies where dogs are allowed to come to work with their owners. Some employers even offer employees partial reimbursement for pet sitting or offer pet health insurance as part of their benefits package. We’ve heard of several companies that have adopted a few rescued cats and allowed them to live in the office. Here at Adopt-a-Pet.com, we not only take our pets to work, we basically work for them… they kind of run the show, keeping us inspired until every pet has a home.
A great example of a company that supports pet adoption is TargetCW. TargetCW, a payrolling company dedicated to customer service, is teaming up with Adopt-a-Pet.com to help homeless pets by offering a matching donation program to their employees, and by providing an Adopt-a-Pet.com pet search right on the company’s web site. And… best of all, they’ve offered to reimburse their employees up to $100 for adoption fees!
Is your employer pet-friendly? We’d love to hear all about it. Email us at info@cms.adoptapet.com and let us know what your company is doing to encourage pet adoption or to support healthy pets.
Pet Tax Deductions: Can You Claim Pets On Taxes?
Wondering about tax savings for pet expenses? Learn about Pet Tax Deductions to understand how to claim your pet on taxes
This is no April Fools joke: your furry friends – and helping nonprofit rescues and shelters – can save you money come tax time! As Uncle Sam comes-a-callin’ this time of year, Adopt-a-Pet.com spokesperson and MarthaStewart.com Daily Wag contributor Dr. Pia Salk consulted with her accountant and fellow animal lover Mary Tonden. Mary shared some priceless pet-related tax tips for everyone who loves animals! (Photo: pets really can help at tax time.)
To all you tax-paying animal lovers out there,
I can’t tell you how many clients ask me if they can claim their beloved pooch or kitty as a tax deduction. Unfortunately, until our pets get their own social security numbers, all the kibble in the world will not lower our tax liability. That said, here are several ways your love for our furry legged (or feathered or gilled) friends can pay off at tax time. Remember to check with your tax preparer to make sure these tips apply to your particular situation.
Give Money: Any cash donation you make to a qualified charitable organization is tax deductible for those who itemize deductions (ask you accountant if this is you!) Don’t know if your favorite rescue fits the bill? Check out IRS Publication 78 for more information on qualifying organizations.
Give Stuff: Local animal shelters need your newspaper, old towels, sheets, pet beds, sweaters, crates and blankets. They may also be looking for items such as digital cameras, video recorders, printers, fans, heaters, cleaning supplies, office equipment, printer paper, carpeting, and furniture. You can also purchase and donate new items including food, toys, new litter boxes, dog beds, and cat trees.
Even if your donation isn’t useful to the shelter itself, they might be able to use it to raise funds. The value of items donated can be a tax deduction! Again, assuming they are a qualified organization, you can deduct the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution, so keep track of what you give and when, and be sure to save the receipts of those newly purchased items.
Give Your Time: While you typically cannot deduct the value of your time, you can deduct mileage traveling to and from the shelter or rescue. For 2010, the IRS allows a deduction of 14 cents per mile driven in service of a charitable organization. Keep a notebook in your car to track mileage, or use an iPhone or Android app such as Mileage Pad.
Partner with an Organization: If you are providing a service such as trap, neuter, return (TNR), or ongoing food and medical care for a colony of cats in your area, find a registered non-profit animal rescue to affiliate with and have them write a letter to document your charitable work to the IRS. As a result, your out-of-pocket expenses may be deductible.
Make It a Business Expense: There are some instances in which caring for animals is a legitimate business expense. If you own a business or farm, properly caring for, sterilizing, and feeding a few feral cats can be a green way to manage a rodent population or simply a way to keep them away from your inventory. Ditto for a guard dog. (Be sure he is being paid with love and shelter too!)
Foster an Animal in Need: This is a great alternative for those who aren’t in a position to take on a pet of their own. You can deduct many of the costs you incur including food, veterinary expenses, cleaning products, medications and supplies. Just be sure to ask the organization for a letter stating that you are a registered foster and keep it in your tax file.
Keep in mind, the smallest gesture can brighten the life of an animal in need!
And if you keep meticulous track of all that you do, you might just find yourself with a fatter refund!
Mary Grace Tonden, Tonden & Associates
Accountant/Cat Lover
Mary@TondenTax.com
Thanks Mary for such great info!
In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk