The Pawsies Blog

Dogs · Best Practices

The Conflict That Breaks a Rescue Is Not Financial

The IRS sample conflict of interest policy defines the problem as a financial one, so the copy in your binder does nothing about the conflicts that damage rescues — who gets first refusal on the adoptable dog, whose friend gets the fee waived, which household the good foster animals go to. A nine-article policy that covers those, plus the argument that a bylaw banning insider payment governs it worse than permitting it under conditions.

Sep 11, 2026 15 min read

General

When Donations to a Spanish Animal Rescue Are Tax-Deductible

A donor to a Spanish rescue can only deduct the gift from their income tax if the association has been declared de utilidad pública, and only reaches the 80 per cent rate if the association has also opted into the Ley 49/2002 regime. Those are two separate applications.

Sep 8, 2026 9 min read

General

What the Volunteer Protection Act Covers at an Animal Rescue, and What It Leaves Open

The federal Volunteer Protection Act shields individual volunteers from personal liability for ordinary negligence, but it says in terms that it leaves the organization's own liability untouched, and it drops out the moment a volunteer gets behind the wheel.

Sep 1, 2026 8 min read

General

What a Spanish Rescue Asociación Must Register, File and Insure

A Spanish animal rescue asociación needs four separate registrations, not one, and since Ley 7/2023 it also needs civil liability insurance and a written contract with every foster home. Most groups also owe an annual corporate tax return even with no commercial income.

Aug 22, 2026 8 min read