Without your help, who would care for them?

By contributing to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, you are helping to:

View a typical «presentation» we might use in our public appearances to tell our neighbors how their contributions help.

• Humanely provide for and protecting unwanted, lost, and abused animals.
• Educate the public on the care and responsible treatment of animals.
• Place adoptable pets in permanent loving homes.
• Ensure the Humane Society will be able to continue its life-saving mission.

How Can You Help?

There are a number of ways in which you can help the Humane Society with your support. Gift giving options include:

Help fulfill our mission to prevent animal cruelty and neglect and promote a responsible community where animals are inherently valued and owners are committed to their pets.

Through your Annual Membership, we can acknowledge and thank those whose generous annual gifts ensure that our mission is fulfilled year after year. Your contribution will help us feed and care for animals looking for loving homes, rescue animals in need, and provide humane education to enrich the lives of individuals and animals alike.

A great way to support the Humane Society is to become an Annual Member. Not only will you help our animals and fund our life-saving programs, but you’ll also receive ongoing information on how your contribution makes a difference. Through our Humane Times magazine, special event invitations and details from our Email communications, you will be in the know and up to date on all that our organization accomplishes.

Annual Membership Levels

Ensuring Animal Stewardship for Tomorrow

The generous support of many leadership donors has truly made a difference in the continuation and growth of the programs and services of the Humane Society.

To ensure that we can continue a safe haven for homeless animals in the future, The Humane Society established the Big Paws Society for those donors making contributions annually of $1,000 or more. We cordially invite interested donors to join others who recognize the importance of providing leadership level donations. All Big Paws Society Members are invited to a special VIP reception at the end of each year and they are recognized in our Annual Report. In addition, they are entitled to a membership in our Off-Leash Dog Park.

Big Paws Society Leadership Donor Levels

Your support means so much to us, every day…

One of the most exciting ways to support the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County is a pet sponsorship. Do you love animals, but can’t adopt one right now? A pet sponsorship can also be a great gift for that special animal lover in your life!

If you prefer to have your gift be used for a specific purpose related to animal care, we offer the following options:

Who are the people who make sponsorship gifts to HSVB&IRC?

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Archangels ($1,000)

Annual sponsorship of an entire cat or dog room, such as the “Foster Dog Room” or “Small Dog Room” or a “Cat Visitation Room”.

Guardian Angels ($250.00)

• Canine Guardian Angels Sponsorship of the canine residents of specific dog kennels in our Animal Receiving and Adoption wings, Fostered Dog Ward, Pre/Post Canine Ward, Small Dog Ward, and Injured Dog Ward.

• Feline Guardian Angels Sponsorship of our Adoption Cat Room Condo cages.

Tooth Fairies (varying amounts)

Sponsorship provides necessary dental care to the pets awaiting adoption at the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County to help them find a new, loving home.

• Golden Tooth Fairy ($1,000)

• Tooth Fairy ($250)

Also, we encourage Rabbit, Bird, & Other "Critters" Sponsorships ($250)

On occasion we are looking for funding for certain projects where we have found an urgent need. Here are some examples:

Spay & Neuter Program
Angel Food Program

For more information on these sponsorships, please call 388-3331 ext. 26.

Volunteers at HSVB&IRC manage a special program that helps feed pets living with families who have a demonstrated need.

When we receive pet food donations, we have traditionally redistributed that food to families with needs in our community. Economic conditions have made this program more important than ever.

To assure that our limited food supplies are going to families with genuine needs, we have certain requirements to qualify for assistance.

1. Agree to provide food and fresh water to my pets daily.

2. Agree to have pets spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccines within two months. If I am financially unable to do so, I will speak to a Humane Society representative regarding financial assistance.

3. Agree to provide my pet’s necessary medical care in a timely manner.

4. Agree to tell my friends and family about the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County’s Pet Food Bank in the event they need assistance.

5. Agree that if I cannot properly care for my pet I will speak with a Humane Society representative for assistance.

6. Agree to bring my drivers license or ID every time I receive food.

7. Agree that my pets are companions and not used for breeding or any illegal activities.

8. Agree to hold the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County harmless should my pet become ill.

All families seeking assistance will be required to fill out a «Pet Food Bank Application». This application agrees to the terms above and lists the number and type of animals in their home. Assistance will be provided for a period of 3 months. After two months, recipients will be required to show proof of vaccines and sterilization, if needed. Food is distributed by volunteers on select Sundays from 11-3 in the receiving center lobby (see our «calendar» for the next scheduled Food Bank). Those who need financial assistance to accomplish sterilization for their animals will be directed to our Spay/Neuter Voucher program.

Did you ever wish you could give more to help animals?

Do you know that many employers sponsor matching gift programs that match employee charitable contributions? Please contact your Personnel Department for details. Most companies provide a form to be sent with your donation and returned by the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County.

Who are the people who make memorial gifts to HSVB&IRC?

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Honor the people or animals that have meant so much to you during your life. Whether in memory of a friend, family member, loved one, or beloved pet, your gift will bring continued comfort to the friends and family who have lost a loved one. Download a Memorial/Honorarium form to print off and mail in or specify your memorial gift on our online donation center.

When we receive donations in the memory of a special person or pet, we will send notification of your gift to the family if you provide this information. The amount of the gift is confidential and will not be included in the letter.

Give Your Loved Ones A Lasting Treasure
     Commemorative Brick Pavers

Pay tribute to your pets, family members, or loved ones. Purchase an engraved, personalized brick paver to be placed in our beautiful Benedict Bark Park and under our Volunteer Pavilion and Walkway here at the Shelter.

Commemorative Pavers are a wonderful way to honor those you love. Brick Pavers come in a variety of sizes and are installed in random areas around the Volunteer Pavilion and Pavilion Walkway. Download a Commemorative Brick Paver form to print off and mail in. The following sizes are available:

It’s possible to make a huge difference at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County by providing necessary goods or services that help us care for our animals. Periodically, we'll circulate a "wish list" that talks about current needs and suggests what you can donate. (Of course, we always need pet food donations for our Food Bank.) But, don't wait for a "wish list" to come around. Please contact us at 772.388.3331 x10 to learn about today's most urgent needs.

Also, we receive all kinds of resalable merchandise at our two «Thrift Shops». Donors often take advantage of tax deductions for items they bring to us. Is the value of an item deductible? Ask yourself this question... is this the kind of item I would give to a relative or friend? If you answer "yes," then the item is most likely in good condition and is appropriate to donate. We encourage you to download a «Receipt for Tax Deductible Donations» and fill it in before you drop off your items. Our staff will "check in" your items, sign your receipt, and give back a copy for your tax records. To help assist you in determining the tax-deductible value of any items you donate, the Humane Society has compiled a suggested list with price ranges for items commonly sold in thrift stores. «See the valuation guide».

Here's an important gift you can make as well: Donations of time and talent are always greatly appreciated and much needed! Please visit our «Volunteer Opportunities» to sign up today!

The monthly giving program provides a convenient way to offer significant support to animals all year long. Many people would have difficulty giving a large donation all at once, but divide that donation up across twelve months and a significant supportive role will be accomplished. (Similarly, you can schedule your automatic donations quarterly or annually.)

You can become a monthly/quarterly/annual donor today by signing up at our secure «Online Donations» page. Choose your contribution level for automatic deductions from your credit card. Or, you can designate to have your gifts automatically forwarded from your checking account. You will receive one tax receipt for the total amount of your annual gifts. You can begin this program at any time during the year.

Prefer to sign up using a paper form? «Click here» to download our Donations/Pledges form. On this form, you can advise us about the amount and frequency of your scheduled gifts.

If you’re looking for a way to help the animals, while also achieving specific tax benefits, donating stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds might be right for you. Our staff is happy to assist you with any transaction.

Stocks that have appreciated in value can be subject to capital gains tax when sold; however, by transferring your appreciated shares of stock directly to Humane Society Vero Beach (rather than selling them and remitting the proceeds to Humane Society), you can avoid all capital gains and resulting taxes. Plus, the IRS allows you to claim, on your itemized Federal income taxes, the full fair market value of the shares (calculated as the average of the high and low prices on the day Humane Society receives the shares as a charitable gift).

To make a gift of securities, or for more information, please contact:

Tim Swift
Director of Development
(772) 388 – 3331 ext. 27

Important Tips

• Please notify Development Office of your intent to make a gift of securities before any transfer occurs. This will help us ensure the appropriate steps are taken and you receive all necessary tax documentation. Additionally, we will provide you with Humane Society’s brokerage house account information, which your broker will need to execute the transfer.

• To avoid capital gains tax liability, you must transfer the shares to Humane Society, as opposed the selling them.

• Under-performing stock can also be a good candidate for charitable giving. The capital loss incurred on the sale of such stock can be used to offset your other capital gains. Then, the cash proceeds from the sale can be given as a charitable donation.

By remembering the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County in your will, trust, or other type of planned gift, you can provide for your family and friends while still making a meaningful gift to help the animals.

The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County has been the grateful beneficiary of many planned gifts over the years. These generous supporters are accorded unique recognition in our Legacy Circle and receive a permanent tribute on the “Tree of Life” in our main lobby.

If you are interested in starting your legacy while you are still living, we would be happy to talk with you about the various possibilities. Major gifts can be donor restricted for specific uses or can be put toward our operating expenses, whichever you choose. There are many powerful ways to combine continuing support for animals with tax benefits and income for you and your loved ones.

Types of Planned Gifts

• Bequest: A provision in a will or estate plan that allocates all or part of an individual’s estate to a designated charity. This can be a specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate.

• Life Insurance: Donor designates a charity as beneficiary of life insurance payout.

• Retirement Plans: Donor designates charity to be beneficiary of retirement plan assets (IRA, 401(K), 403(B), upon death or, while living, transfers some retirement assets directly to charity. The recent Pension Protection Act makes retirement plan assets a more attractive giving option.

• Charitable Remainder Trust: An irrevocable trust that pays a specified annual amount to one or more people for a fixed period of years. At the end of the term of the trust, the remaining assets are distributed to the charity.

• Charitable Lead Trust: Similar to a charitable remainder trust, but the annual income goes to charity and the principal reverts to the donor or designated heirs at the trust term.

• Real Estate: Donating to charity your personal residence, a vacation home, a farm, commercial real estate or vacant land may avoid a significant tax burden-if you were to sell the property.

• Other Planned Giving Options: There are many powerful ways to combine continuing support for animals with tax benefits and income for you and your loved ones.

If you would like more information about planned giving, please contact Tim Swift at 772-388-3331, ext. 27 or email him at «». We do recommend you consult with your financial advisor and estate planner to see which planned giving arrangement would best meet your charitable and financial needs.

NOTE: If you have arranged a planned gift to support the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, please consider sharing this news with us so that we may express our appreciation.

Considered by many to be the premiere event on Indian River County's social calendar, our Annual Cause for Paws Benefit Auction (and the prelude Preview Party) will offer over 650 auction items and fun-loving friends and neighbors who turn out to support a great cause. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

To learn more about sponsoring the upcoming Cause For Paws, contact «» and request a sponsorship package. Or, «click here» to see a report on last year's event and learn more.