It’s the second day of my 12 Days of Charitable Giving for 2018. Readers have suggested deserving charities over the past few weeks, and I’ll be posting one a day for – well, 12 days (I’m clever that way). Today’s charity is America’s VetDogs.
If the name America’s VetDogs sounds familiar, you’re likely thinking about Sully. Sully, a yellow Lab, recently made headlines as the service dog and companion for former president George H.W. Bush. Sully came to the Bush family through America’s VetDogs following a recommendation from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
The mission of America’s VetDogs is “to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence.”
America’s VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; hearing dogs for those who have lost their hearing; and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals. America’s VetDogs also trains and supports applicants to the program to ensure that they will bond with their dog and learn how to work together as a team.
These services don’t come cheap: It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog. Since services are provided at no charge to the individual, America’s VetDogs depends on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses and community organizations for funding.
So how can you help?
To make a one-time or regular donation using a credit card, debit card or PayPal, you can click over to the website. The site also lets you how your donation might be used. For example, with a donation of $25, you can help provide a handler with an assistance dog leash while a donation of $100 may go towards vaccinations.
Donations may also be sent by mail. Send a check payable to America’s VetDogs to America’s VetDogs, 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787.
If you’d rather donate by phone, call toll-free at (866) VETDOGS (838-3647) and they’ll process your donation over the phone. You can text to give by texting @vetdogs to 52014.
For federal income tax purposes, if you plan to claim a deduction for a cash contribution, you’ll want to keep a record of the donation regardless of the amount. Ideally, the organization will provide a written record with the name of the charity, date, and amount of the contribution.
America’s VetDogs can also use in-kind donations including gently used clean bath towels, baby wipes and Lysol wipes. For toys, the Kong Extreme Toys in large, XL or XXL and Nylabone brand toys. For a more detailed list of what’s needed, click here.
If you contribute items such as clothing or furniture, you can deduct the fair market value of your donation. Again, you’ll want to keep excellent records if you intend to claim a deduction for the value of the donation.
For more ways to donate, click here. If you have any questions about making a donation to America’s VetDogs, you can call the Development Department at (866) 282-8045 or (631) 930-9050.
Do your homework.
As always, you want to make sure that your donation is going to a qualified charitable organization. A search using the IRS’ new Exempt Organizations Select Check reveals that America’s VetDogs is on the list; their name appears as Americas Vetdogs The Veterans K9 Corps Inc. Remember that organizations can have similar names so the more information you have before doing a search, like an EIN, the better.
To find out more about the work of the organization, check out their website, like them on Facebook, connect on LinkedIn, or follow them on Instagram or Twitter.
I often suggest checking out third-party sites like Charity Navigator for more information about charitable organizations, including evaluations and access to tax forms and other financials. America’s VetDogs is not ranked by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator explains, “It simply means that the organization does not meet our criteria. A lack of a rating does not indicate a positive or negative assessment by Charity Navigator.” You can check out this handy guide, Evaluating Charities Not Currently Rated by Charity Navigator, for more information.
The organization earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, an online service that provides information about nonprofit organizations. VetDogs has also been recognized by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance as an accredited charity that meets their twenty “Standards for Charity Accountability.”
Remember: Submissions to the 12 Days of Charitable Giving are made by readers, and in most cases, I can’t personally vouch for the good work that these folks do. So be generous, but be smart: Do your homework.
For more on making charitable donations, click here.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are the other organizations on the 12 Days of Charitable Giving list this year:
