Charity Suggestions - 2009 Edition
The Anthrocon Board will soon be deciding on the Charity to support for 2009. If you know of a charitable organization that you would like to recommend be added to the current candidate list, please suggest it here by January 18th (sorry for the short notice).
Criteria for candidacy:
- Must be animal-related
- Must be 501(c)3
- Must be within approximately 60 miles of the Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan area
- Must be incorporated in Pennsylvania (can't be in Ohio or West Virginia)
Mike
ASPCA
Thanks for the suggestion, but the ASPCA's organization is based in New York City, which is outside the feasible range for involvement with the convention.
They do associate with multiple organizations in the Pittsburgh vicinity, many of whom are already on our candidate list.
Hog Heaven in Cochranton, PA:
http://www.hogheavenrescue.org
It's around 90 miles, so may be a tad bit too far. It is a farm rescue for large animals including pigs, donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, and alpacas. Little bit different than the usual small critters. 
Angel Ridge Animal Rescue- Washington, PA
http://www.angelridgeanimalrescue.org
It's a sanctuary for special needs cats, dogs, and horses that may never be adopted. If not they'll live rest of their lives at the sanctuary getting care they need.
I chatted with a Pittsburgher friend who does a LOT with the local animal communities. She recommneds:
Wildlife Rehab Center, Verona, PA
http://www.animalrescue.org/cms/name/Wildlife+Center
-----------------------------------------------
David M Stein, DI
"Not Unlike the Toaster, I Control the Darkness"
-- Abby Normal, "You Suck"
The Wildlife Rehab Center is part of the Animal Rescue League of Western PA. You'll be pleased to know they are already on our candidate list.
Update: I have been informed of the following:
I wanted to let you know that while the Wildlife Center is a division of the ARL, we DO NOT receive funds from their budgets and endowments. Our budget is completely separate, we run on a separate cost center, and have to look for our own funds.
and
The WRC is indeed 501(c)3; they're required to be since they're officially a division of the ARL.
So this qualifies them as a candidate. I'll add them to our list. Thanks again!
How about Going Home Greyhounds.
http://www.goinghomegreyhounds.org/
How About Fayette Friends of Animals?
http://www.fayettefriendsofanimals.net/
They're in PA, local to Pittsburgh, and are 501(c)3 [http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=237650]. I've added them to the list of candidates. Thanks!
What about the Three Rivers Ferret Council?
http://www.3rfc.org/
They are local and a 501(c)3 charity.
I'm just cute that way 
I'm just cute that way
Perhaps this list (also of ones deemed ineligible) could be posted so people don't keep making redundant suggestions?
There is no ineligible list, but the list of eligible candidates isn't posted because the deliberations are internal and we don't want any repercussions, such as arguments over who is and isn't included, anyone informing organizations under consideration of their candidacy, or the con having to respond to individual petitions from groups being researched.
It's the same reason Oscar nominees, presidential cabinet deliberations, or new Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor possibilities are determined in-house rather than open to public debate, tho anyone can suggest one.
That makes sense, but then why reply to people saying their suggestions are on the list?
Because people deserve a response to their inquiry, and they're happy to know their suggestion is being considered. It's several levels of magnitude less risky than just posting the entire list wholesale (which is around 40 candidates). Lesser of two evils, and such.
Additionally, we tend to give submitted recommendations priority over ones we've only researched independently. By perusing this thread and the one on LJ, you can pretty much figure out most of the short list.
"Hello Bully" is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)3 organization designated to 'Rehoming, rehabiliating, and repairing the reputation' of Pit Bulls. They do training (for people and dogs), rescues, spay/neuter programs, and plenty of outreach. Nice folks who are dedicated to a breed of dog too often the victim of media stereotypes and misinformation.
Visit them at www.hellobully.com!
"Focus on the Fun" at www.eyelevelentertainment.com!
Mike
PAWS
Thank you for the suggestion.
Where are they located?
What do they do?
What is their web site?
Are they 501(c)3?
I think he's referring to P.A.W.S. Pittsburgh (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/natashat/PAWS/).
While they meet most of the criteria, their webpage has not been updated since 2001 and I cannot find any information regarding their tax-exempt (501[c]3) status.
If they can be identified as active and 501(c)3, we'd be happy to add them to the candidate list.
This rescue is all around, not just PA, but MD, DE, and VA as well, but who knows?
The Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue
Foster Cat, Inc
http://fostercat.org/
Provides in home fostering of cats and kittens. Can't find their status on their main website, but they list 501(c)3 status on their Petfinder site: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA538.html
Mare's Nest Animal Sanctuary
http://www.maresnest.org/home
A retirement home for unadoptable cats, dogs, horses, and donkeys. Currently they are training their resident bloodhound for search and rescue. Yes, they are 501(c)3
Starfish to the Sea Animal Rescue
http://www.starfishtothesea.org/
Handles cats, dogs, and pocket pets of the furry and scaley kind. Yes, they are 501(c)3
I am unsure whether these are 501(c)3. I'm not finding it immediately on their website, but do list contact info for seeing if they have it. Some of the Pittsburgh locals may also know whether they are are or not:
Wheek Care Guinea Pig Rescue: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA428.html
Piggie Lovers Inc: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA574.html
Pittsburgh Rat Lovers Club: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA546.html
Hide-E-Hole Ferret REscue: http://www.ferret-hide-e-hole.org/index.php
Judge's Park: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA366.html They list their status as "in progress" but there's no date. May be worth seeing if they have completed their paperwork.
Wow, great finds!
Per previous response, Hide-E-Hole Ferret Rescue is part of Three Rivers Ferret Council which is 501(c)3 and already on our candidate list.
FosterCat is verified 501(c)3 here: http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=233395
Unfortunately, I cannot find 501(c)3 designations for Wheek Care, Piggie Lovers, or Pittsburgh Rat Lovers either, so I cannot add those to our list.
I have added FosterCat, Mare's Nest, and Starfish To The Sea, tho. Thanks!
http://www.ferret-hide-e-hole.org/faq.php
Couldn't find if its 501(c)3
But other wise it look like a pretty cool one ^_^
-----------------
The desire to dream is primordial. Some evolutionary process has instilled life on this planet with the ability to dream. It is essential to survival. Even dogs dream.
Per previous response, Hide-E-Hole Ferret Rescue is part of Three Rivers Ferret Council which is 501(c)3 and already on our candidate list.
Woo! Thats what I get for not reading the whole thread 
I've noticed that most of the charities suggested are related to shelter/animal rescue organisations. While this is great, and directly matches one of the eligibility requirements, I would like to suggest one which has a more diffuse and indirect effect, one that educates, and deals with the environment of one of Pittsburgh's major resources - mainly, the rivers.
RiverQuest, formerly known as PittsburghVoyager, is a not-for-profit teaching and educational program, which introduces local students to the river, from the standpoints of History, Natural History, Biology, and and general science; and a major portion of that involves study of the river as a riparian habitat, and the river itself as a source of life. Among their offerings are classroom presentations, scaled to match the different grades of K-6, with other programs for High School. One of these programs is called "River Tales", with one particular program described thus:
Dive Into Mammals
Introduce your students to the wonders of mammals that live in and around the waters of Western PA. Preserved animal pelts and skulls help everyone figure out that what makes animals different is what makes them very special and able to live in different places. Adaptation costumes help students act out behaviors of some very clever creatures.
Now is THAT Furry, or what?
Pluses:
1) They are local - and might even be able to provide useful programming for us, for a donation.
2) They are somewhat-animal related, though that is admittedly not their main focus.
3) I believe that somewhere on their site, or on the site of their previous incarnation (PittsburghVoyager they list themselves as a 501(c), though demmed if I can locate it again.
Minuses:
1) They have a whole slew of large, corporate sponsors, and therefore are perhaps not as "needy" of our support, while the smaller, animal-rescue organisations are in some distress at the moment.
I admit that this suggestion is a bit...unorthodox, but...
I suggest this group because, while it is quite satisfying to see the critters who will directly benefit from our aid - and the expressions of gratitude from our previous recipients have always been effusive - I believe that soemthing which educates, particularly on the broader subject of environmental studies and protection, helps more animals -indeed, helps us all - in the long run.
Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, I can't locate River Quest's 501(c)3 status on their site or where I usually find them listed, at taxexemptworld.com.
While they do sound worthwhile and might be a viable candidate, the late date and the uncertainty of their tax exempt status forces us to pass on them this year. Please feel free to suggest them for 2010 if you can positively identify them as 501(c)3.
Bumpity bumped to the front page.
--
My LiveJournal - My Website - See what I'm doing on Twitter
Pennsylvania Furry? Be sure to check out http://www.pa-furry.org/