Three feral kittens were recently found trying to survive the frigid winter on their own. To make matters worse, they had never been around people and it showed. Because of their spicy personalities, we named them Diabla, Habanera and Ghost Pepper, and they affectionately became known as “The Spicy Purrrritos.”

Although the Spicy Purritos were physically healthy, they were quickly approaching their “socialization threshold,” the point at which it becomes nearly impossible to convert feral cats into social, loving companions. They desperately needed a foster family to show them how amazing life in a warm home could be. Luckily, one of our volunteers was up for the challenge.

Within a few short weeks, she had helped transform all three kittens from angry spitfires into purring cuddle bugs.

  
Although Max was friendly when he arrived at our shelter, he had other challenges of his own. He had a strange wound on his shoulder and despite the pain he was in, it didn’t take long for him to warm up to the staff members tending to his needs. As Max’s true personality started to shine through, so did the severity of his injury.

Within a few days, the damaged skin began to die off, creating a large, open wound. We still had no idea what happened to him – was he attacked by another animal? Did he injure himself trying to escape underneath a fence? Although we can’t answer any questions about Max’s past, we are committed to brightening his future.

Before Max could begin searching for a family, we had to help him overcome his injuries. Several factors have been helping this amazing boy heal, including antibiotics and routine bandage changes, but more importantly, the love and care he’s been getting from not one, but two foster families. Max still has a long road of healing ahead of him, but with your support and the unconditional love he’s been shown from his foster team, we know it’s going to be a beautiful journey.

   

Thanks to our life-saving foster program, kittens like the Spicy Purritos and dogs like Max are given a second chance to overcome many different obstacles, both mentally and physically. Because of the dedication of our foster volunteers, all three kittens were quickly adopted. With your support, we can help Max find his forever together.

Ready to help us continue saving lives?

Over the past 9 years, Leo has alerted Clay to his low blood sugar countless times. He has also been Clay’s rock through the most difficult times in his life while also being at his side to celebrate some of his best moments so far. Leo has been Clay’s life saver, his secret keeper, a shoulder to lean on and all-around best friend ever!

Sadly, Leo was recently diagnosed with bone cancer and he crossed the Rainbow Bridge yesterday, loved and cherished beyond measure. There is an emptiness in the Paul house today and in the hearts of all who were touched by Clay and Leo’s story.

 Leo showed us the miracles that are made possible when we come together as a community, partnering with the local college, local organizations and small local businesses. Our executive director, who was fairly new to the organization at the time, realized how we could impact human lives through animals. She knew she had finally found her calling. After we saved Leo’s life, he went on to save Clay. Not only could we save animal’s lives, but we could save people’s lives too; and thus, our new mission was born: “Saving the lives of animals while enriching the lives of humans.”

So to the dog who saved his human multiple times and revolutionized the way we now serve our community, rest easy Leo. You definitely earned your wings and will be missed by many.

Here are the top 10 reasons to make a year-end contribution. The best part is that you can save lives when you donate through Lenawee Humane Society.

On behalf of Russell James, J.D., Ph.D, CFP, Professor of Charitable Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, we are happy to share the top 10 reasons to make a tax-deductible contribution.

 

1. Deduct $300 without itemizing

This year only! You can deduct $300 of charitable gifts without itemizing. The $300 limit is one per tax filing unit. Thus, married couples filing jointly don’t get $600. Also, this must be a cash gift paid to an ‘operating nonprofit’ (therefore, it cannot go to a donor advised fund).

 

2. Make a difference by saving lives

When you donate to  Lenawee Humane Society, a private non-profit, you’re helping save the lives of thousands of animals who wouldn’t have a future without donors like you.

 

3. Combine a Roth conversion with a donation

A Roth conversion moves money from a standard IRA into a Roth IRA. The benefit: all distributions from the Roth IRA are tax free. (Even distributions of future growth are tax free.) The downside: the money moved into the Roth IRA counts as immediate income.

However, this year only, up to 100% of income can be offset by charitable deductions. This includes income created by a Roth conversion. If you already have a multi-year charitable plan or pledge, donating it all this year and combining with a Roth conversion might make sense.

 

4. Make IRA gifts @ age 70½ +

IRA accounts have no required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2020. But those age 70½ or older can still make gifts directly from an IRA to a nonprofit up to $100,000. This gift donates pre-tax dollars. The earned income is never taxed because it goes directly to the nonprofit.

 

5. Move your 401k/403b into an IRA rollover now to prepare for future IRA gifts

RMDs will return next year for those age 72+. A qualified charitable distribution from your IRA or IRA rollover reduces RMD. It’s a great way to give!

To do this with a 401(k) or 403(b), you must first convert the account into an IRA rollover. But conversion requires first taking any RMD from the 401(k) or 403(b). You must pay taxes on that distribution.

You can avoid that by making the conversion this year. There are no RMDs in 2020. So, you can convert your 401(k) or 403(b) into an IRA rollover. And you can do it without paying any taxes, even if you are age 72+. Then, you’ll be set up to make future donations from your IRA rollover whenever you want.

 

6. IRA gifts @ age 59 1/2 to 70 1/2

IRA withdrawals during this age create no penalties. But they are taxable. However, this year cash gifts can be deducted up to 100% of income. If you are already itemizing deductions this can help offset the tax impact from an IRA withdrawal.

 

7. IRA beneficiary v. gift in a will

Many people like to include a charitable gift in their will to support a cause that has been important in their lives. One tax smart strategy is to leave part of an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) account to a nonprofit. (It’s easy to change account beneficiaries by contacting the financial institution.)

Why is this smart? Because heirs pay income taxes on this money. Starting this year, heirs (except spouses) must take out all funds (and pay taxes) within 10 years of inheriting. But any part left to a nonprofit avoids these taxes. So, if you’re leaving anything to a nonprofit, use these accounts first.

 

8. Make a charitable swap: Give appreciated investments WITHOUT changing your portfolio

Donating appreciated assets creates TWO tax benefits. The tax deduction is the same size as a gift of cash. (The asset must have been owned for a year or more.) PLUS, you avoid paying capital gains tax.

With a charitable swap, you donate old shares of stock and immediately purchase new shares in the same company. Your portfolio doesn’t change. But the capital gain is removed. (There is no waiting period. Why? Because this is gain property not loss property. So, the “wash sale” rule doesn’t apply.)

 

9. Take an immediate deduction for donating inheritance rights to homes or farmland

Many people like to include a charitable gift in their will. But you can donate the inheritance rights to farmland or a home using a special deed instead. Doing this creates an immediate income tax deduction. Right now, these deductions are large because interest rates are low.

 

10. Bunch gifts with a donor advised fund

The 2018 tax law created much higher standard deductions. Fewer people can use charitable deductions because they aren’t itemizing. One way around that is to “bunch” charitable gifts.

 

When tragedy strikes us, it strikes our pets as well.

Bentley and his five canine companions had their entire lives turned upside down when their beloved owner sadly passed away. When we were contacted to help, we luckily had the space and resources to take all six, removing a huge burden from the family members left behind. Because these dogs had been well loved and cared for, it took less than one week for all of them to find new families and a second chance.

Did you know you can make a plan for your pets instead of relying on luck?  

That’s what another supporter did. Although his situation is much different and his cats only need help temporarily until he can care for them again, knowing that his beloved pets are safe, fed and warm has allowed him to focus on his own recovery. The truth is, our lives can change in an instant, which means the lives of our pets can change in an instant too.

That’s why our Spencer-Lowry Legacy Society includes an option to ensure your pets have a plan for the future.

Lenawee Humane Society is more than just an animal shelter. We are the resource for pets and their people who need us most, striving to save the lives of animals while enriching the lives of humans. We continue to work hard to be the resource our community needs, but did you know that we receive no local, state or government support? We are here only because you make it possible.

During this Season of Giving, please consider donating to our shelter. You’ll not only be helping animals find a second chance, you’ll also be helping make our community a better place for everyone.

Nine year old Bear was found with hair missing from most of his body and a microchip that seemed to lead nowhere. Many people on social media came to the conclusion that Bear had been neglected and dumped by some heartless person.

At LHS, we make it our mission to approach every situation with compassion and without judgment. It was our job to find out where Bear came from and where he belonged. Since Bear couldn’t tell us his story, we were left to put the pieces together ourselves.

Although Bear’s hair loss was extreme, he had no other major medical issues that pointed towards neglect. In fact, his sweet demeanor captivated everyone and his happiness was contagious. It was obvious he had been well loved.

Turns out Bear had actually been adopted from LHS six years prior, making it easier to follow the trail and finally connect with his adopter. Emotions ran high because Bear went missing while his owner was working through medical issues of his own. He had been desperately searching for his best friend with no luck.

After a long, challenging week, faces lit up with huge smiles as Bear and his dad finally reunited. Bear danced around his favorite human, relieved and full of love. It felt as if no one else existed in that moment except the two of them. After learning their story, we realized his owner needed Bear as much as Bear needed him.

Shortly after Bear and his owner reunited, another challenge entered our shelter. Two unrelated puppies found at different times, in different locations, seem to be displaying the same symptoms.

Daphne’s issues became apparent soon after she arrived. She was severely underweight with swollen joints, which caused her to limp and trip over herself. As our veterinarian began a treatment course to properly diagnose and treat this tiny puppy, Ducky began exhibiting similar problems.

At this time, only further tests and treatments will help us figure out if these puppies are suffering from an autoimmune disease, a tick-borne illness, or something else entirely.

It is because of supporters like you that we are able to reunite animals like Bear with their humans and figure out issues like those Daphne and Ducky currently face. With a donation of any amount, you can help make sure Daphne and Ducky both get a chance at an amazing future, just like Bear. Can you please help us help them?

When Virginia and her siblings were diagnosed with deadly parvovirus we feared the worst. She had recently been found under an old couch abandoned on the street, struggling to survive with her mother and littermates. Luckily, Virginia’s entire family had a strong will to live and when we reached out to you, you were determined to help save their lives too.

Your financial support allowed us to provide necessary life-saving care to these little fighters around the clock. While most of the litter responded well to fluids and treatment, Virginia did not. Her protein levels dropped to terrifying low levels and our veterinarian estimated that she had less than 24 hours to live. We knew she desperately needed a miracle.

While Virginia’s situation was turning critical, another recent rescue named Stitch was celebrating his new found freedom. Stitch had been found abandoned in an empty home with his brother, where they had been stuffed into a tiny crate and left alone together. Although Stitch was in poor condition when he first arrived, he never lost his zest for life and he recovered quickly from his terrible ordeal.

After his life was saved, Stitch then did something extraordinary.
He saved Virginia’s life.

Stitch donated his blood, from which we separated the plasma, and infused it into Virginia’s tiny body. This protein infusion was exactly the miracle this sick puppy needed. Virginia survived through the night and within a few days, she had enough strength to eat and walk on her own.

Less than two weeks after Stitch saved her life, Virginia was healthy enough to travel to her forever home, where she’s finally living the life she fought so hard to achieve. Stitch, her hero, also found a loving family to call his own.

We can’t thank you enough for following Stitch’s lead and never giving up. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and when one life has been saved, you never know how they’ll choose to pay it forward.