Our Mission

The Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling, Massachusetts is a non-profit organization and no-kill shelter. The shelter provides humane sheltering and care for stray, unwanted, abused and neglected animals. The staff is dedicated to finding good homes for adoptable pets and we continue to promote responsible pet ownership to improve the quality of life for the animals and people in our community.

The Shelter is supported entirely by donations from private individuals and through mandatory surrender and adoption fees. The Animal Shelter, Inc. does not receive support from the United Way or from federal, state or local governments.

Ways to Help

• Donate
• Shop
• Memorial Gifts
• Planned Giving
• Volunteer
• Foster
• Donate Stuff

Cell phones & Ink cartridges - the shelter is collecting old cell phones AND old ink cartridges in an effort to raise money for our shelter programs. Please drop off or mail any old units you have. Not only will it help the environment, but also our programs!

Shop

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

A New Way to Support Our Pets and put a smile on someone's face! Send them flowers.

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 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 on our Federal ID # and any other details you may need.


Donate Stuff

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

* Cat Litter (the shelter goes through 500 pounds or more per week!)
* Cleaning Supplies (Trash Bags, Bleach, Windex, etc.)
* Liquid Laundry Detergent and Liquid hand soap
* Paper towels, paper plates
* Newspaper and old towels and blankets
* Fire wood - cut, split and seasoned please
* Help raising money and awareness (through conventional means and through the Internet)

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

Foster a Pet

Interested in fostering? Please download the PDF application and email: melissa@sterlingshelter.org or fax to 978-422-8574

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