How You Can Help

We now have super cute 5×5 Shelter Supporter Window Decal Clings for sale FOR YOUR CAR!
Cost is $10 includes shipping/mailing… you can order through our secure server OR

SIMPLY SCAN THIS CODE WITH YOUR PHONE APPLICATION AND GO DIRECTLY TO OUR ONLINE SECURE DONATION PAGE!

just scroll down to OTHER and enter $10 …
and make a NOTE in the DEDICATION section TYPE IN: SHELTER WINDOW DECAL

Show your Shelter Support and 100% of the $ will benefit our shelter critters
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The EASIEST way you can help US help THEM is to donate online through our secure server! Only .33 cents a day ($10 a month) can help our pets all year long. Click here to donate and all donors of $100 or more will receive a free Sterling Shelter Supporter Shirt!

A new way to help AND clean out your house!

Our shelter is part of the eBay Giving Works program. So, you can support our mission when you buy and sell on eBay. Here’s how:

Buy - You can find whatever you’re looking for on eBay – from baseball cards to new cars and more. When you do, shop for items that benefit us. You can get a great deal and support our shelter at the same time!
Shop now to support us!
Sell - You can also support our shelter when you sell on eBay. Just designate our organization to receive 10-100% of your final sale price the next time you list something great.

Did you know that charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings? Boost your sales and support our critical work while you’re at it! Plus eBay gives back to you too, with a fee credit on your basic selling fees.

Ways You Can Help US help THEM

Donate

Through our secure credit card donation form online OR
Mail donations payable to “Animal Shelter, Inc.” sent to the following address:

Animal Shelter, Inc.
17 Laurelwood Road
Sterling, MA 01564
Phone: 978-422-8585
(We will mail a receipt for tax purposes or acknowledgment.)

Those making donations of $100+ will receive an Animal Shelter Inc. Shelter Supporter Shirt (please indicate size either through our online donation form or if you mail a check/money order – also please specify WHERE you want the shirt mailed)

Shop

Shop at our NEW on-line Store and all proceeds will benefit the shelter.

Planned Giving Program

…Another way to help our orphans…

What is Planned Giving? Planned giving means that you plan today to make a contribution to the shelter either now or in the future. Typical planned gifts are Wills, Endowments to “restricted funds,” gifts of personal or real property, and beneficiary designations of insurance policies or investments you own. A planned gift also helps to insure the shelter will be able to fund, in perpetuity, programs and services aimed at benefiting the quality of life for animals. Unrestricted contributions are vital to the shelter’s ability to respond to an emergency or crisis, as well as to the ever changing needs of animals in the community. These gifts support the varied programs and initiatives of our shelter.

How Can I Make A Difference?

Giving Through A Will
Whether your estate is large or small, preparing a Will now provides an orderly process to benefit your loved ones and to help benefit animals. You can give a specific percentage of your estate or a specific dollar amount, or you can leave a specific asset. You can also donate the remainder of your estate after expenses and gifts to your family. You may wish to notify us as to the terms and conditions of bequests you make to ensure your gift is handled as you desire.

Restricted Endowments
Restricted gifts allow you to choose a particular program that you wish to support. It limits the use of your contribution to this program only. Here are some examples of restricted endowments:

The Spay/Neuter Fund – This fund helps to pay for all spaying or neutering of animals at our shelter. It might also help to cover the FREE spay certificates we provide to those families surrendering puppies or kittens. We often give a free spay certificate in order to STOP this mother dog/cat from Producing MORE unwanted offspring.
The Sato Program – Money would help to pay for the transportation, medical bills, and care of the dogs rescued from Puerto Rico.
The Homebound Hounds Program – Money would help to pay for the transportation, medical bills, and care of the dogs rescued from Virginia.
Seniors 4 Seniors Program – This fund helps pay vet bills and adoption fees for senior animals going to a senior home.
The Building and Maintenance Fund – All money in this fund will help us to grow, remodel, and expand our shelter which is desperately needed. Our shelter is 25+ years old and desperately needs a rebuild. By rebuilding we will have the ability to house more animals, provide an educational center and training/grooming facility.

Gifts of Personal and Real Estate Property
Your donation of personal or real estate property which may appreciate in the future allows for a meaningful gift that grows in value. Donating assets which have already increased in value can save you capital gains taxes, generate a current tax deduction, and reduce your federal estate tax. These assets include real estate, stocks, bonds, collectibles, and more. Your attorney can help you select the right asset to best suit your situation.

Beneficiary Designations
Life insurance gifts may be contributed as a form of bequest without a will. You may designate the Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, MA as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy or as the contingent beneficiary if your primary beneficiary predeceases you. An annuity or mutual fund, bank account, pension or retirement account may offer you the same opportunity to elect the shelter as your beneficiary or contingent beneficiary.

There are several other options available. Your choice depends on your goals. An attorney or CPA can assist you in preparation of a Charitable Gift Annuity, Charitable Remainder Trust, Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity, or a Living Trust.

Memorial Gifts/Donations

Donations to our shelter can be made as a Memorial. Honor the life of a deceased family member or a friend; recognize the birthday, anniversary or unique accomplishment of a loved one through a donation to the shelter in their name. A card will be sent to the owner or family of the person you are honoring in acknowledgment of your gift. The amount will not be disclosed. The recipient will only know that you were thinking of him or her in this special way. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your gift is truly needed. This is also a way to honor the memory of a beloved pet that has passed away.

If you or someone you know has had a beloved companion animal die, you may choose to honor them with a Pet Memorial gift to the shelter. This Memorial program also offers a means to make a lasting tribute to the memory of lost friends or family while supporting the humane effort.

How Can Planned Giving Benefit Me?
The Animal Shelter Inc. is a tax exempt, charitable organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. This means that when you itemize your taxes, any gifts of cash result in a current income tax deduction. Gifts of securities also provide relief from capital gains tax. Donations of personal property may also be deducted. The most important benefit is the satisfaction of knowing you have made a difference. All contributions are used to help fulfill our mission. Please contact the shelter for more details (our Federal ID # is 04-3236868) and any other details you may need.

Donate Stuff

In addition to individual monetary donations, the shelter animals also have other needs:

Cat Litter (we use about hundreds of pounds a week!)
EXTRA LARGE heavy duty contractor trash bags (regular bags break and don’t fit in our trash barrels)
Bleach
High Efficiency (HE) Liquid laundry detergent
Liquid dish detergent
Hand soap
Liquid cleansers (no Lysol please)
Sponges
Dog and cat toys to keep them happy and busy
Paper towels (we go through a case each week!)
Newspaper (taking ads and the slick color pages out ahead of time helps us)
Old Towels and blankets – stained and holes are fine!
Firewood – cut, split and seasoned is best for us J
CANNED dog and cat food (especially kitten food)
KMR- kitten milk replacement formula for nursing baby kittens without moms
Dog and cat treats (large rawhides keep our dogs busy)
Dog and cat toys (kongs and treats to stuff them with are great)
Liquid Hand sanitizer (like Purell)
Pens, paper clips, post-its, printer paper, sharpies, highlighters, scotch tape, staples, white out, etc.
Medium and large dog/cat crates in good condition
Stamps
Old cell phones (we receive $ for them)Collect and donate old Cell phones – we’ve all got those old phones, broken, missing parts, upgraded to new technology…don’t throw them away – Just drop them off or mail any old units you have. Not only will it help the environment, but also our programs! You do NOT need to include the battery or chargers/adapters.
Foster Homes for dogs and kittens
And of course, money and/or gas cards are always put to good use

Volunteer

Our shelter ALWAYS needs volunteers…and here are just a few of the benefits of volunteering:

Be part of the solution. You’ll join a network of hundreds of thousands of people working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures. You’ll make the jobs of everyone working for animals a little easier by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership.

Get warm fuzzies. You’ll never find a more grateful and accepting comrade than an animal you have comforted. Who can’t use another loyal support in life?

Keep good company. You’ll make lots of new friends—and not just the four-legged kind. Working side by side with people who share similar interests can forge lifelong friendships.

Meet the new you. You’ll discover skills you never knew you had, and you may be surprised at what you’re capable of achieving.

Gain a new career. You’ll learn things that may lead you to the career—or career change—of your dreams. Employers and college admissions officers look favorably on time spent in volunteer service.

Enjoy a wagging tail, a purr, and a smile. Didn’t someone once say that the best things in life are free?

Interested? Great! All volunteers must be AT LEAST 17 years of age to volunteer. Call the shelter at 978-422-8585 ext 114 and ask for Melissa or melissa@sterlingshelter.org our Program Coordinator. Download the PDF application