Donate Today
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized to raise charitable dollars in support of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter and its mission. With your help the Shelter is able to go "above and beyond" the funds appropriated by the communities we serve. Below are some specific options for giving.
Donate Online
Your donation is tax deductible. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation's Federal Tax Identification Number is EIN: 51-0439604. It is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Donate OnlineDonate by Check
Send your check to the following address:
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation2200 7th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
If you would like to make a gift "In Honor Of" or "In Memory Of" a person or pet, please include that information in the comments field as you donate online or note it on your check if you are paying by mail.
Direct Donations to a Fund of Your Choice
Shelter Support
Helps to cover the costs for core services such as animal control; licensing and rabies vaccinations; safe housing for strays and surrenders; and intervention in animal abuse cases.
Extra Mile Fund
Because we are an open-door, open-intake Shelter, we never say no to any animal in need. Many animals come in with illnesses and injuries and have intensive medical needs — the Extra Mile Fund helps cover those extraordinary costs when animals need specialized care beyond the Shelter Clinic.
Planned Pethood
Reduces animal intake numbers through no-cost and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries via community clinics with partner Animal Balance, vouchers distributed by Animal Control Officers, and in-clinic openings. In 2025, the Shelter facilitated 3,067 spay/neuter surgeries.
Leave No One Behind
Sponsors the adoption fee for long-time residents at the Animal Shelter, drawing adopters' eyes toward animals who've been in the Shelter's care a little longer than average — black cats, senior animals, or pets with special medical needs. We believe ALL animals deserve to be loved and give love!
Other Ways to Give
More ways to support our county's animals — select one to learn more.
Vehicle Donation
Turn a car, running or not, into support for the Shelter.
Learn more ↓
Employer Match
Double your impact through your employer's matching program.
Learn more ↓
Legacy Giving
Join the Guardian Angels Society by including us in your estate plans.
Learn more ↓
Stock Donation
Give appreciated securities and reduce taxable gains.
Learn more ↓
RMD/IRA Rollover
Donate your required minimum distribution, tax-free.
Learn more ↓
Donor-Advised Fund
Recommend a grant to us from your DAF.
Learn more ↓
Donate Items
Give directly from the Shelter's wish lists.
View Wish Lists ↗
Grant Referral
Know a foundation that might support us? Send a referral.
Email Nga Trinh-HalperinVehicle Donation: Your Old Car Can Help Animals!
If you or someone you know has a car, running or not, and would like to donate it to support the Shelter in its mission, you can do so through our vehicle donation partner. The linked site will guide the vehicle donor through the process and schedule a pickup appointment for the vehicle. Proceeds after the sale of the vehicle will go to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."— Theodore Roosevelt
Donate a Vehicle ↗Employer Matching Gifts
Some employers will match the charitable giving of their employees. However, this benefit may be available only when the recipient of the gift is a 501(c)(3) organization. Because the Shelter is a government agency, it is ineligible for some matching programs which require this 501(c)(3) status. Giving to the Foundation, which does have 501(c)(3) status, may be a way that you can take advantage of your employer's matching program, double the impact of your gift, and benefit the neediest animals in Santa Cruz County. Information about matching gifts is generally available through a company's human resources department.
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."— Mahatma Gandhi
If you want to take advantage of a matching program to help Santa Cruz County animals in need, please contact Nga Trinh-Halperin, SCCASF Executive Director.
Email Nga Trinh-HalperinMake Love Your Legacy!
We are excited to announce the new Guardian Angels Society that honors generous supporters who include the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation in their estate plans! Planned giving is crucial to the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter's long-term stability and ability to provide vital services to the humans and animals we support.
We invite you as a friend of the animals to consider extending your impact by remembering us in your will or trust. Your legacy gift — whether a specific amount or percentage of your estate — will ensure our continued ability to create a world where animals are loved, secure and flourishing.
If you've already included us in your estate plans or decide to do so, please download and complete the Guardian Angels Society form. This helps us accurately reflect your intentions and welcome you as a member, where you join others committed to this special mission. Being part of the Guardian Angels Society provides you with special experiences and insight with opportunities for tours, annual gatherings, and connections with the Foundation Board Directors.
"Cleo first arrived at Royce's house shortly after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. … As the years passed, [Cleo] adjusted to the increasing changes in the life of a cancer patient and the caregivers that became more present every day. She remained loving and attentive. After Royce's wife died, Cleo was very important to Royce's well being. … Cleo was the reason Royce wanted to donate money to the Shelter. She brought him happiness, and he wanted others to have the joy of a pet. He wanted to help the Shelter provide similar experiences for others…."
Epilogue – Cleo now lives with one of Rev. Scherf's caregivers. From all reports she is doing well, is happy, and is bringing happiness to others.
One Inspiring Legacy Story — the Shelter received a bequest from the late Rev. Royce Scherf, remembering Cleo, the gray tabby cat the Scherfs adopted from the Watsonville ShelterFor more information, please email our executive director Nga Trinh-Halperin.
Stock Donation
A charitable gift of stock provides donors the benefit of tax savings while generously supporting SCCASF. Appreciation of stock value from time of original purchase is generally taxable. But a donation of stock to SCCASF provides SCCASF with the full stock value, without any taxes being payable, and leaves you with a considerable income tax deduction, as well. The most secure and expedient method of delivery for stock shares is the electronic delivery process, which provides efficient internal control as well as cost savings. However, you also have the option of transferring certificates directly.
Notification of Donor Intent — No matter which method is chosen for delivery of a gift of stock, the following information is required from the donor or the transferring broker, for audit and acknowledgement purposes: donor's name and complete address, name and number of securities transferred, broker's name and phone number, and approximate dollar value of gift. Please e-mail this information to SCCASF's Executive Director, Nga Trinh-Halperin, at nga@scanimalshelterfoundation.org or call 831-713-3670.
Transfer of Stock — The following information will enable your broker to facilitate a transfer of stock to our Charles Schwab Account:
Account Number 5130-5123
DTC Number 0164
Taxpayer ID 51-0439604.
RMD/IRA Rollover Offers Tax Benefits, Helps Animals
An IRA charitable rollover can be a major benefit for IRA owners 70½ years or older, who must take a required minimum distribution (RMD). Donating your RMD directly to a qualified 501(c)(3) charity such as the SCCAS Foundation allows you to bypass related income tax, and support a good cause in the process.
"This is a great way to help the Shelter!" exclaimed Dr. Elizabeth Quinn when she learned she could donate her RMD and enjoy the tax benefits. Dr. Quinn was the very first of our donors to take advantage of this option.
"I chose the Foundation," she explained, "because you are fully committed to raising money to support the work of the Shelter! I first learned about the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter (SCCAS) when we adopted Nikko, a little Wheaton terrier who has added much joy to our older dog's life, and who has become a much-loved addition to our family.
"That day, as my daughter and I were led though the halls to the immaculate rescue dogs' pens, a busy hustle-and-bustle was going on all around me — aproned Shelter workers busy with cleaning, caring and communicating. I did not know it at the time, but almost all of these workers are volunteers.
"Since then I've come to know more about the Shelter and its dedicated people. The numbers of abandoned, strayed, often injured, animals given care, and paths to new & better lives, are truly impressive.
"Go visit; check out what's going on there. Maybe bring home a new addition to your own family. As I have, you may decide the Shelter and its services are something you truly want to support — by volunteering, by adopting, or by giving financially."
Nikko says, "Thanks to SCCAS for my new life!"For more information about tax benefits, contact your IRA administrator. Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, 2200 Seventh Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Our federal tax ID is 51-0439604.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable savings account. You can contribute to the fund and recommend grants to nonprofits like ours, potentially earning immediate tax benefits. Contact your financial institution to ask about a DAF. You will need the information below:
Nonprofit Name: Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation
Address: 2200 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Tax ID Number: 51-0439604