Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about donating to the SPCA:
1. I would prefer to mail my donation to the SPCA rather than make a gift online. What is the address?
Donations can be mailed to: SPCA, 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224. Donations can also be made by phone by calling 716-875-7360 ext. 227.
**If you would like to make your gift in person, you may schedule an appointment with Annual Giving Manager, Phil Weiss by calling 716-875-7360 ext. 243 or emailing phillipw@yourspca.org.
2. Can my gift be made in memory/honor of someone?
Yes, of course! Any gift made to the SPCA can be in memory or in honor of a person or pet. Just use our easy online Tribute Gift Donation Form. If you would prefer to mail in your donation, please include a note indicating who the donation is in memory/in honor of (please tell us whether the honoree is a person or pet) and also include the name and address of anyone you would like notified of your donation. We will send an acknowledgement card within 3-5 days of receipt of your gift.
3. Can I donate items instead of money?
Yes, we welcome many different in-kind donations. Just visit our Wish List to see an up-to-date list of all the items we need. Unfortunately, New York State will only allow us to accept medical supplies and medications that are over the counter – we cannot accept any controlled medications that need a prescription.
4. Can you pick up in-kind items from my house?
No, unfortunately we don’t have enough vehicles or manpower to pick up these items. We ask that you drop your in-kind donations off at our shelter at 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca. You may drop items off any time our shelter is open.
5. Can I get a receipt for the items I drop off?
Yes, when you come to the shelter there are receipts available in our lobby that you may take and fill out for your tax purposes. (By law, we are unable to state the monetary value of the items you donate.)
6. Do you accept donations of pet food?
Yes! While we are fortunate enough to get our dog and cat food donated by Purina for our shelter animals, many struggling families in our community are still in need. Pet food donations are graciously accepted at the SPCA for use in our Pet Food Pantry. This program is designed to distribute donated pet food and supplies to the areas of the community where it is needed most. This is done through the SPCA’s Pet Food Pantry, case assistance, community events, donations to other local rescues/animal welfare agencies and more.
New: We are now able to accept previously-opened bags of dry pet food.
For questions about this program, please call Amy Jaworski at (716) 875-7360 ext. 224 or send her an email at ajaworski@yourspca.org
7. I have adopted an animal from the SPCA. My adoption fee provides the SPCA enough of a donation. Why do you need additional funds from me?
An adoption fee only pays a portion of the expenses for the care that we give our animals, including the one that you have adopted. It is not a donation, but a fee to recoup some of the funds we have invested in caring for an animal. The price of adoptions covers approximately 14% of the funds needed to maintain the SPCA.
8. The Western NY community has many more pressing needs to respond to such as the homeless, single-parent families, healthcare for the elderly, etc. Shouldn't we take care of these problems first?
Yes, there are critical problems in this region, and the humane treatment of humans and animals alike are one of these problems. At the SPCA, we are committed to addressing violence, neglect and apathy… problems that impact not only the animals, but human populations of all ages, races and income groups. Our first priority as a humane society is to teach lessons of kindness and caring at every opportunity. Through humane education curricula in the local schools, we partner with teachers to remind children that human beings should have respect for all life. Our Teaching Love and Compassion program pairs “at-risk” teenagers with shelter dogs who have behavioral problems that might prevent them from getting homes. By working together, the dogs become “good canine citizens” and the children learn valuable lessons of kindness and patience. Indeed, promoting a more humane society is why the SPCA was founded, and it’s been our work since 1867.
9. Why am I asked to increase my contribution every year?
The SPCA’s costs for emergency relief services, therapeutic and outreach programs, humane education, public information, and training and prevention programs continue to rise each year and we must depend on contributions like yours to help offset these differences. Your support helps keep income in harmony with expenses.
10. Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, according to the guidelines established by the IRS. Certain donor benefits are considered by the IRS to have non-deductible value. If you choose to accept these benefits, you must subtract their value from your total donation. The SPCA will provide you with the benefit’s non-deductible value. Keep all gift acknowledgements.
11. What is the SPCA's donor privacy policy?
Please know that the SPCA respects the privacy of its supporters. Therefore, it is SPCA policy not to share, sell or in any way disclose information about our donors to any other individual or organization.
A copy of the SPCA’s latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the SPCA, 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224 or from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
12. What is SPCA's legal name and tax ID number?
The SPCA’s legal name is Erie County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and our tax ID number is 16-0425315.