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HUMANE HEROES WHO DESERVES MY DOLLARS? by Warren Eckstein Among the hundreds of letters I receive each week, there are always several from animal-lovers requesting my advice with regard to what organizations I would recommend they donate money to. Sometimes the writers are preparing their wills, other times the writers have questions as to whether the organizations they are currently donating to are really worthy of their hard-earned money. As a rule, I never recommend specific organizations - it's your money and the ultimate decision must tie yours. I can, however, provide several guidelines to make the decision-making process easier.
2) Any shelter that you are considering should permit you to visit their premises. You should be able to see first-hand the facilities and care they are providing. If they refuse your request, remove them from your list of consideration 3) Request a copy of the organization's current financial report. If they refuse to provide you with a break-down, consider another organization. Any organization worth its salt will have nothing to hide and will provide you with this information. Once you've received such a report, review it. How are their funds being utilized? Is the majority of their money going towards the actual care of the animals or to administrative costs (i.e. salaries and advertising)? 4) If the tax deductability of your contribution is important to you, the organization must be recognized by the IRS as a non-profit organization. Such organizations are required to file with the federal government. Ask them to provide you with proof of their non-profit status. 5) Don't let slick promotional brochures be your only criterion for selecting an organization. Many small "mom and pop" organizations simply do not have the time, money nor manpower to produce fancy brochures - they're too busy using their limited resources for doing the actual rescue work and caring for the animals. Warren Eckstein's Recommended Charities This is by no mean a complete list -- there are many worthwhile groups working out there. If you know of a deserving group that is a registered 501c3, tax-exempt no- kill organization that should be on the list, please e-mail us and periodically the list will be updated . many of the websites have '˜click-on' donation areas (which may not provide a receipt for your records). please check with the group, if a receipt is important to you. we have also included postal addresses to send donations. 1. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW YORK www.humanesocietyny.org (212) 752-4842 306 East 59th Street New York, NY 10022 2. BOXER RESCUE www.boxer-rescue-la.com (213) 532-6541 17514 Ventura Blvd. #201 Encino, CA 91316 3. GREYHOUND PETS OF AMERICA www.fastfriends.org (800) 298-5743 1210 N. Cypress St. La Habra Heights, CA 90631 4. GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE Westside German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles www.sheprescue.org (310) 202-SAVE (7283) 2721 Wigtown Road L.A., CA 90064 German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County Serving Orange County, San Diego, San Bernardino, Greater Los Angeles, Riverside and more. www.gsroc.org (714) 773-5915 177F Riverside Avenue, Ste. 143 Newport Beach, CA 92663 5. LITTLE ANGEL PUG RESCUE www.lapr.org (626)795-3944 P.O. Box 12242 La Crescenta, CA 91224 6. BRITTANY FOUNDATION www.brittanyfoundation.com (818)709-5706 P.O. Box 9334 Canoga Park, CA 91309 7. VILLALOBOS RESCUE CENTER www.vrcpitbull.com (661) 268-0555 P.O. Box 1554 Canyon Country, CA 91386 8. ALL OF THE BREED RESCUE GROUPS THAT ARE SANCTIONED BY THE THE NATIONAL BREED CLUBS. 9. FERAL CAT CARETAKERS COALITION www.feralcatcaretakers.org (310) 820-4122 P.O Box 491244 L.A. CA 90049-9244 Copyright 2004-7 Warren Eckstein From www.WarrenEckstein.com |