Spay/Neuter donation options on some state tax forms by Shelley Frost
With April 15th not far off, now is the time to learn how your tax return can help end animal suffering.
Tax return forms in some states such as California, Colorado, and Maine offer the option of checking a box that will direct a donation from your tax payment into local programs benefiting animals.
In California, you can contribute to the Municipal Shelter Spay-Neuter Fund through your return. The good news is that last year the fund raised $190,000, and is currently accepting grant applications from "eligible municipal shelters" to distribute the funds for the purpose of providing low-cost or free spay/neuter services and programs for dogs and cats owned by members of the public.
The bad news is that in order for this program to continue and for it to remain on tax forms as a donation option, it must take in at least $250,000 this year.
The funds from this program go directly towards combating pet overpopulation which effectively reduces the need to euthanize homeless animals in our city- or county-run animal shelters.
By simply checking the box on your tax forms that is labeled MUNICIPAL SHELTER SPAY/NEUTER FUND, you can prevent unwanted litters of dogs and cats from being born.
In Maine, you can help low-income families get their pets spayed and neutered by checking off a box for the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund. Your donation goes to the Help Fix ME [SS-LINK this to HYPERLINK "http://www.spaymaine.org/" http://www.spaymaine.org/] program, which spays and neuters thousand of cats annually.
Colorado offers a similar program with proceeds going to the state’s Pet Overpopulation Fund, which has subsidized over 38,000 sterilization surgeries since 2001, according to CheckoffColorado.org. The program focuses on “underserved or rural areas of the state where affordable spay and neuters surgeries are not readily available to pet owners.”
Shelley Frost has served in both executive and volunteer positions at animal shelters. A co-author of Your Adopted Dog, she also produces documentaries about animal issues.
