Volunteering is Tax Deductible

Did you know you can deduct your mileage and any products you buy for volunteering? KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS! Even gas receipts. I recently had my tax return done with some deductible donations and my pet business. The preparer advised even my mileage to pet events I volunteer at is deductible. So now I keep track of every event I go to and the mileage. I walk dogs for a rescue and had to buy a special collar. DEDUCTIBLE!

I attend (volunteer) adoption events at least twice a month. The mileage to these events are deductible. If you do it a lot, it adds up. So keep this in mind, $10 here, $20 there adds up in 12 months. I was volunteering for the joy of helping animals, but if the government is going to give me a break for doing so, who am I to say no!

If you do have a pet business or thinking of starting one, everything from paper towels to your car insurance is deductible. The supplies you use for your home business, such as your home office supplies. Every penny you spend on advertising, any and all supplies related to your business. Your phone bill that is used for business. Again keep those receipts!

Image coutesy of elgin jessica

Healthy Pet Joints Naturally

Connectin, is made by In Clover, making natural pet supplements since 1996. Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Connectin is made for dogs, cats, and horses.

Repeated stress, injury, exess weight and poor diet all contribute to a shortage in the production of the body’s natural building blocks, glucosamine and mucopolysaccarides.

  • A unique, patented formulation of these natural joint building blocks, which work with the body to support joint health.
  • Contains clinically tested levels of glucosamine HCI and muccopolysaccharides,, a natural form of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic adis.
  • Proven safe and effective.
  • Cost-effective to use: about $.47  per day for a 60 pound dog.
  • Contains a patented formulation of nine herbs to increase absorption of lubricants, increase circulation, and promote joint health.
  •  

    Common Signs of Unhealthy Joints in Pets

 Dogs
  • Decreased endurance
  • Stiff after activities
  • Unable to jump up
  • Hesitance getting up
  • Difficulty with stairs
  • Stumbles or bunny hops

Cats

  • Stops grooming
  • Stops scratching
  • Toenails become long
  • Swollen joints
  • Joints painful when touches

  

 

Easy Homemade Toothpaste

Four out of five dogs over the age of three have gum disease.

This is an old fashioned recipe, says Ihor Basko, DVM., a holistic veterinarian in Hawaii. Wet a toothbrush with two or three drops of hydrogen peroxide and dip it in baking soda. If your dog is not used to a toothbrush, try your finger or washcloth first, or try a pet finger toothbrush.

Hydrogen peroxide can also be used as an antiseptic for dogs.  Whatever toothpaste you use, do not use human toothpaste, it may make your pooch or cat sick. Another vet advises baking soda may cause problems to your pet. I suggest to try a bit to see how your dog reacts if you try the homemade toothpaste. Proper dental care can add up to five years on your dog’s life.

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

(Video is not by Basko, DVM)

Spay Day ~ Annual Campaign of the Humane Society

Every year millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are needlessly euthanized. The good news is that every pet owner can make a difference. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Click here for more FAQS about spay and neuter process.

Spay Day is an annual campaign of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.

How can you be a part? Vote in the Spay Day Pet Photo Contest!

Help groups win prizes and raise lifesaving funds for spay/neuter by voting for some of your favorite shelter/rescue adoptables. Each vote for SNAP costs just $1 (tax-deductible), with the money going to the eligible Spay Day Event Organizer of your choice to spay or neuter even more pets. Spay Day 2010 photo contest voters raised more than $253,000 for 225 U.S. event organizers, which organizers estimate will allow them to spay or neuter more than 8,500 additional animals. 

Below is a link to Bella and brother Neeko who are contestants in the Spay Day Pet Photo Contest. Both were abandoned at the south shelter at 4 weeks of age. Due to their young age and lack of mommy, they were to either be euthanized or raised in foster care. They flourished in SNAP* foster and have just celebrated their 1st birthdays with their forever families. ~Vote for Neeko and Bella Here~

SNAP
~Provide low-cost spay and neuter services where they are most needed. Our Neuter Scooter is a mobile clinic which allows us to fix pets right in low-income neighborhoods. Over 14,000 animals have been fixed on the bus since 2003
~Support local shelters, by placing “last chance” animals into kitty and doggie foster homes
~Provide referrals to veterinarians who offer discounted spay/neuter surgeries. We also supply information on coupons and rebates you can use to cut the cost of fixing your pet
~Teach people about dog bite prevention, pet care, and why it’s important to fix our pets. Our education programs reach thousands of children and adults throughout San Diego County with classes and workshops for all ages
~Take pride in our networking approach: we work with animal shelters and rescues, veterinarians, politicians, the media, and of course the citizens we serve

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