Frequently Asked Questions » Home

How much of my money will go directly toward helping animals, as opposed to going toward administrative and other nonprogram costs?
PETA is a nonprofit leader in the efficient use of funds. It undergoes an independent financial audit each year, and in fiscal year 2009, nearly 81 percent of our funding went directly into programs to help animals. PETA's fundraising costs are far below the "maximum acceptable" for the Better Business Bureau.

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In addition to the Vanguard Society, are there any other member-recognition.
programs?
Yes, two additional programs are PETA’s Augustus Club and the Vanguard Society President’s Circle.

PETA’s Augustus Club is a complimentary club honoring those who have named PETA in their Last Will & Testament or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, a retirement account, or another planned gift, such as an annuity or trust.

There are no fees or charges, and members receive quarterly newsletters containing special features on PETA’s history, our impact on animal-abusing industries, and profiles of Club members and animals they’ve saved. For more information on PETA’s Augustus Club, please visit the Web site by clicking here or contact Tim Enstice at TimE@petaf.org or at 757-962-8213.

The Vanguard Society President’s Circle was created to recognize and acknowledge those individuals whose annual financial contribution exceeds $100,000. Inclusion in our President’s Circle carries with it extraordinary access and advance invitations to PETA events and campaign activities, as well as regular briefings by key PETA staff and department directors. For more information about our President's Circle, please contact Jannette Patterson at Jannette@petaf.org or at 212-564-3429.

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I live in Canada. Can I get a tax credit for my donation?
Unfortunately, no, unless you have income that was generated in the U.S.

Although PETA is registered in the United States as a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, we are not registered as a tax-exempt charity in Canada, primarily because most of our animal-protection campaigns would not be categorized as “charitable work” under Canadian law, which states that only activities directly related to the health, education, and welfare of people constitute charitable activities. That has been interpreted to cover animal sheltering and rescue work but not other campaigns like those that PETA undertakes.

For that reason, we are not a registered Canadian charity and, therefore, cannot provide you with a receipt for your donation that would be tax-creditable against your Canadian income taxes. However, if you do have any U.S.-generated income, your donation would be tax-creditable against that income.

Please know that any activities that PETA conducts in Canada fully comply with all Canadian and U.S. legal requirements and that we are working hard to put your contributions to the best possible use for animals in Canada, the United States, and around the world.

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Why does PETA encourage people to donate fur garments?
By getting fur out of people’s closets, we also help get it off the streets and provide a way for former fur-wearers who have had a change of heart to turn something negative into something positive. We use the furs that are donated to us to create interesting displays and demonstrations to spread the word that millions of fur-bearing animals are cruelly killed every year to produce fur garments.

To donate a fur garment, please ship it to our office at 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; Attn: FUR CAMPAIGNS DEPT. (We do not have any other offices or drop-off sites that accept donated furs.) If you know what type of fur it is, please make a note of it with your donation.

Donors are entitled to a charitable income-tax deduction for the fair market value of the donated item. PETA cannot legally determine a value for the item, but we will send a letter acknowledging receipt of the item. You may wish to have the item appraised before sending it or consult with a tax advisor. For more information, please contact Jennifer Cierlitsky at JenniferC@petaf.org or at 757-213-8757.

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