Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS) is a non-profit volunteer organization formed in 1990 to support the programs of the Jackson County Animal Shelter. FOTAS has 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
The Jackson County Animal Shelter is the only open-door shelter in Jackson County; it is the only shelter that accepts both surrendered and stray cats; and it is the only shelter that accepts both surrendered and stray dogs (like Zappa, shown above).
You can help the homeless pets of Jackson County in one or more of the following ways:
Special Occasion Donations
Do you know people who have everything and are very difficult to acknowledge on special occasions? A donation to FOTAS in someone's name is a very meaningful gift acknowledging his or her love of animals. FOTAS will send a handwritten thank-you card to the person of your gift in his or her name. [quick link]
Memorial Donations
Memorial donations establish a legacy of love in memory of a person or pet. The names of those remembered will be listed in our newsletter, The Scoop. FOTAS will also send a handwritten tribute card to the person or family you wish to honor.
Please tell us the name of the person or pet you wish to honor and the name and address to whom the tribute card should be sent. [quick link]
Gifts of Stock
Publicly traded securities, such as stocks and bonds, can be donated to FOTAS through a transfer of the securities. This type of donation offers you an excellent opportunity for a tax deduction. The transfer of appreciated stocks may enable you to avoid the capital gains taxes you may be liable for if you sold the stocks. Please consult your attorney or financial planner if you wish to make such a gift.
Donations of Real Estate
Real estate donations such as a farm, vacation home, residence, unimproved land, or commercial property can help us immensely. Such a donation may provide you with significant tax advantages, such as avoiding capital gains tax that would be due if the property were sold.
It is the policy of FOTAS to sell such properties and use the proceeds to further our mission of helping save homeless pets in Jackson County. A qualified appraisal of the property is required before the gift is made. Please consult your attorney or financial planner if you wish to make such a gift.
Donations of a Life Insurance Policy
An insurance policy can provide a significant donation to FOTAS and tax benefits to you at a very reasonable cost:
You can take out a life insurance policy naming FOTAS as the beneficiary of the policy. The premiums you pay on this policy may be tax deductible.
If you already have a paid-in-full life insurance policy, you can name FOTAS as the beneficiary. You may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Please consult your attorney or financial planner if you wish to make such a gift.
Gifts from Retirement Plans
FOTAS can be designated as the beneficiary of some pension or profit-sharing plans as well as various private retirement funds such as IRA's and 401(k)'s. You may list FOTAS as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of your retirement account. Another option is to designate FOTAS as the final beneficiary after your spouse's or partner's death. This could have significant estate tax benefits. Please consult your attorney or financial planner if you wish to make such a gift.
Estate Planning
Inclusion of Friends of the Animal Shelter in your estate planning is an excellent way to ensure that your love of animals lives on after you. There are several different ways to make a bequest through your will or trust:
- A bequest of a specific amount of money, piece of property, or stock from your estate.
- A bequest leaving a certain percentage of your estate to FOTAS.
- A residual bequest giving the remainder or a percentage of the remainder of your estate to FOTAS.
- A life income bequest.
- A contingent bequest naming FOTAS as beneficiary if another beneficiary does not survive you.
Thank you for contributing to help us save homeless pets. If you wish to donate, please send a check to:
Friends of the Animal Shelter
PO Box 92
Ashland, OR 97520
Our federal tax ID # is 94-3153463. All donors will be mailed a tax deduction receipt. For more information, call anytime at 541.774.6646 or E-mail FOTAS. If you wish to make a memorial tribute or other special type of donation, please include any instructions.
