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Humane Society of Chittenden County

EIN 03-0193150 · S Burlington, VT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY BELIEVE THAT SUPPORTING, STRENGTHENING AND SUSTAINING THE BONDS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PETS IMPROVES THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PET HAS A LOVING HOME AND THAT EVERY PET OWNER HAS ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO GIVE THOSE PETS HAPPY,HEALTHY LIVES.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
10.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
42
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$148,141, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE HUMANE SOCIETY CONTINUES TO SERVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE DEMAND FOR COMPANION ANIMALS, REHOMING SERVICES, AND GENERAL ANIMAL CARE IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. OUR LOW-COST COMMUNITY PET MEDICAL CLINIC WITH TWO LOCATIONS CONTINUES TO BE VERY POPULAR AND THE ONLY OPTION FOR MANY PEOPLE SEEKING AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR PETS. IN 2024 WE REHOMED MORE THAN 1000 PETS, ADMINISTERED 5,543 VACINATIONS, COMPLETED 1,842 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGIES, AND OFFERED FREE PET FOOD TO MORE THAN 1,000 FAMILES. THROUGH OUR SPAY THE MOM PROGRAM WE SPAY/NEUTERED AND VACCINATED 122 ANIMALS, AND WE HELPED 54 FAMILIES AND THEIR PETS WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGH OUR RAINY DAY FUND AND GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM. IN TOTAL WE PROVIDED 46,000 IN MEDICAL CARE GRANTS TO LOCAL LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OUR VOLUNTEERS COLLECTIVELY LOGGED 7,788 HOURS SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMS AND MORE THAN 3000 DONORS HELPED ADVANCE OUR MISSION THROUGH THEIR GENEROSITY. THE HUMANE SOCIETY CONTINUES TO SERVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND ANIMALS THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE DEMAND FOR COMPANION ANIMALS, REHOMING SERVICES, AND GENERAL ANIMAL CARE IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. OUR LOW-COST COMMUNITY PET MEDICAL CLINIC WITH TWO LOCATIONS CONTINUES TO BE VERY POPULAR AND THE ONLY OPTION FOR MANY PEOPLE SEEKING AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR PETS. IN 2024 WE REHOMED MORE THAN 1000 PETS, ADMINISTERED 5,543 VACINATIONS, COMPLETED 1,842 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGIES, AND OFFERED FREE PET FOOD TO MORE THAN 1,000 FAMILES. THROUGH OUR SPAY THE MOM PROGRAM WE SPAY/NEUTERED AND VACCINATED 122 ANIMALS, AND WE HELPED 54 FAMILIES AND THEIR PETS WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES THROUGH OUR RAINY DAY FUND AND GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM. IN TOTAL WE PROVIDED 46,000 IN MEDICAL CARE GRANTS TO LOCAL LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. OUR VOLUNTEERS COLLECTIVELY LOGGED 7,788 HOURS SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMS AND MORE THAN 3000 DONORS HELPED ADVANCE OUR MISSION THROUGH THEIR GENEROSITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1943.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

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