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Houston Humane Society (HHS)
14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, TX 77053
713-433-6421 | Map | Hours | Clinic Hours

Planned Giving

Even the smallest gift goes a long way to help abandoned and abused animals.  By making provisions in your
Last Will and Testament, Life Insurance Policy, IRA Account, or Charitable Trust, you can help us continue our
valuable programs to protect the animals.  There are some very simple ways you can give, or you can consult your
attorney or financial advisor about some of the more sophisticated planned giving methods which could include
a tax savings to you, such as a charitable remainder trust or a charitable lead trust.
 

Gifts of Life Insurance

Designate Houston Humane Society as the beneficiary (or one of the beneficiaries) of your life insurance policy.  This
type of gift is very flexible, and the amounts and beneficiaries you specify can be changed as your situation changes.
 

IRA Accounts

When you open an IRA account, you are asked to name a beneficiary in the event you pass away before all funds
are used.  Many IRA accounts are taxable when funds are withdrawn, but when you name Houston Humane
Society as the beneficiary of your IRA, 100% of that money goes to help the animals!
 

Gifts of Stock

If you have held a certain stock for more than one year and it has appreciated significantly, you can save taxes in two
ways when you donate it to HHS.  The first savings is by not having to pay capital gains tax on the sale of the stock. 
The second savings is by taking a tax deduction for the full market value of the stock on the date of your gift.
 

Gifts by Last Will and Testament

 

Specific Bequest

 
You can give HHS a specified amount of cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, or anything else you wish in your Will. 
Sample language which may help you or your attorney would be:
 
"I hereby give and bequeath to Houston Humane Society, a non-profit Texas corporation located at 14700 Almeda
Road, Houston, Texas 77053, Tax I.D. #74-1340341, the sum of $_______." (or describe any other property)
 

Residuary Estate

 
In your Will, you can give any remaining property to Houston Humane Society after your specific bequests have been
distributed.  Sample language would be:
 
"I hereby give and bequeath to Houston Humane Society... all of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both
real and personal, after providing for the specific provisions of this Will.'
 

By Codicil

 
If you already have a Will and would like to add Houston Humane Society as a beneficiary, there is no need to go
through the expense of redrafting your entire Will.  Your attorney can prepare a Codicil with a bequest to HHS to
attach to your Will, and the rest of the document stays the same.
 
 
 
Your donation may be for general use by the shelter to help the animals, or you may designate its use for a specific program.  You can find out about our different programs here on our website or you may call us for more information or with questions.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Charitable Remainder Unitrusts

 
By putting some of your assets in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, you or someone you designate could receive
periodic income payments from the trust for a set term, or for your lifetime.  After the lifetime income payments have
been made, the trustee transfers whatever amount is left in the trust to Houston Humane Society.  You receive a
substantial tax deduction when you set up the trust, and you also avoid paying capital gains tax on appreciated
property that was transferred to the trust, such as stocks.
 

Charitable Lead Trusts

 
You can fund a trust that distributes regular payments to HHS for a set term of years, after which the remainder is
returned to you or transferred to your family members.
 
For more information about various methods of planned giving, please consult your financial advisor or attorney, or
contact our Executive Director at 713-341-3304, or at sferguson@houstonhumane.org.
 
The Houston Humane Society receives no funding from the city, the county, the state, or from any national animal
welfare organizations.  We have always depended solely on donations from local people who care about animals
and care about the work we continue to do in the greater Houston area and surrounding counties.
 

Pets of the Week

 

Misha

I am a Brown and White Short Coat Chihuahua mix.   I am 1 year old and will make a great companion.  I am ready to go home today!


 

Eliza

I'm an adorable Grey and White Domestic Medium Hair mix.  I am 2 years old and would love to meet you.  I am ready to go home!