Remembrance: Planned Gifts

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Planned Gifts

It's been said that two things are inevitable. Taxes and Death. The Gang has suggestions for both:

• A donation to us is Tax-Deductible. And so your taxes, in this lifetime, will be less.   :)
• And you can plan, now, what you would like your legacy to be before you leave this earth.

Planned gifts to the Greyhound Gang, or other reputable, charitable (501 c3) greyhound organizations can help ensure that other greyhounds get a chance at the life your greyhound was lucky to have.

Before leaving money/assets, it's always good to check out:

1. Are they 501 c3?
2. Will your money go where you want it?
   
3. Are financials disclosed to your satisfaction?
   
4. Do you feel they will use your money appropriately?
   
5. Contact and speak with them in person about your desires

Once you've answered those questions to your satisfaction, you can then direct your lawyer to detail your wishes in the following ways.

• Wills
• Life Insurance/Retirement Funds
• Trusts

Wills

You can create a statement in your will to a greyhound organization of your choice, which leaves:

• Dollar amount
• Property
• Percentage of assets

Some suggestions follow for clauses in your will. Lawyers or a Will Kit can help make sure all is legal.

I give - $xxxxxx or % assets or specific property - to Greyhound Gang, 87-0517948, a charitable corporation, with a mailing address of PO Box 274, Kanab, UT 84741. (If you want to put certain restrictions on this gift's disposition, you'd include that too.)

All the rest, remainder, and residue of my property, I give, devise and bequeath to the Greyhound Gang, a charitable corporation, with a mailing address of PO Box 274, Kanab, UT 84741.

Life Insurance/Retirement Funds

Funds and policies have beneficiaries. You can name the Greyhound Gang or any 501c3 as a beneficiary on any fund that has beneficiaries. Make sure your agent or broker has the details needed to follow through. By naming a group your beneficiary and even in some states, the owner of a policy, you're leaving a legacy of life.

Trusts

A trust is an option for many people, and an attorney or financial advisor is best able to help you determine whether a trust is a good option for bequeathing funds to designated greyhound organizations.

Leaving Greyhounds Behind

To insure your dog has a life after you are gone - PLAN AHEAD! Contact your adoption agency, and work with them while you can. Our experience has also been that family members and friends, while they will of course say they will watch your dogs when you are gone, are not really prepared to do that. Designate that your greyhounds be placed with experienced greyhound people who will have your dog and your desires utmost in their minds.

You must state in your will who you would like to watch your greyhound. Attorneys do not always see the importance of providing special treatment for special animals. Your will is your plan. Insist that the greyhound that has been important to you during your life is to be provided for at your death. For Example:

I give my dog, Fido, together with his bed, couch, toys, sweaters and equipment to the Greyhound Gang, a charitable corporation with a mailing address of PO Box 274, Kanab, UT 84741. I also leave to the Greyhound Gang the sum of $10,000 and request the amount be used as necessary for Fido's health care and maintenance. Any additional amount should be used for general purposes of the Greyhound Gang.

Note:

• You cannot leave money outright to your dog.
• Most states will not allow you to leave money in trust for your dog.
  
• Most states will not honor a conditional gift where you have stated someone will care for your dog.
   

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