Here’s something to consider. Have an old fur coat you don’t want anymore? Give it back to the animals.

No, unfortunately you can’t return the fur to its original owner. Let me expand.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)started an innovative program called “Coats fur Cubs” – A drive for wildlife rescue operations that can use fur apparel for bedding, nesting material for orphaned, injured or ill animals or simply as a comforting surrogate mother.

“We use the discarded furs as bedding to give the animals comfort and reduce stress,” explained Michael Markarian, Chief operating officer of the Humane Society in Washington D.C. He also stated that many of these coats are donated by people who have had a change of heart and feel that the use of real fur is inhumane.

In a telephone conversation Angela Grimes, Director and COO of the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Kendalia, described the therapeutic benefits of real animal fur as opposed to a towel or blanket, “These furs, make the perfect bedding for baby wildlife. Tiny, orphaned, furless opossums, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits and skunks arrive in our clinic cold, hungry and afraid. Bedding down and cuddling into a fur helps keep them warm and because it feels a little like mom, the babies are calmer and feel more secure. Donating a fur coat can in some small way help make up for the loss of life by being put to better use nurturing and saving lives.”

Leading the charge spreading awareness among young folks is Heidi O'Brien, HSUS Student Outreach Director, “We are trying to get more students involved in this program by holding fur collections on school campuses, churches, and community centers.”

“Donations can be shipped directly to the Humane Society, a local wildlife rehabilitation center or turned in to any Buffalo Exchange which has stores 14 states” – the closest to us being Dallas.

The furs are cut into an appropriate size for the animal, be it bobcat, fox, raccoon, squirrel, or rabbit, and placed inside the animal's enclosure. Hats and caps are greatly appreciated as they are already round in the shape of a nest and don’t need to be cut up.

Turning the sleeve of a fur coat inside out, a rehabilitator can also create a warm nest for a burrowing animal such as an opossum.

Some animals adopt a piece of fur as a playmate, jumping on it and wrestling with it.

The Humane Society’s website (www.hsus.org), explains the details of the program, relays a story about a restless orphaned river otter who chirped constantly. Once given a fur blanket, she settled right down.

Ok, so in case I’m just gagging you on warm fuzzes, let’s cut to the chase.

If Grandmother’s old coat is collecting dust in your closet, you can exchange it for dollars in your pocket plus reap some good karma to boot.

You can claim the fair market value of your donation as an itemized tax deduction. The fair market value is the amount for which you could sell the fur today - not how much it cost to purchase the fur. You make the judgment call, based on the condition and type of the fur. Although if you value the fur at $5,000 or more, the Internal Revenue Service will require a "Qualified Appraisal" performed before you donate the fur.

With spring cleaning right around the corner, don't you think this is a perfect time to make a donation?

Armand Nardi is the publisher of the Gainesville Daily Register. He can be contacted at: anardi@ntin.net.