Animal Defenders International US
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO EDUCATE, CREATE AWARENESS, PROMOTE THE INTEREST OF HUMANITY IN THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE & THE SUPPRESSION OF ALL FORMS OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING, CONSERVE AND PROTECT ANIMALS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $986,350
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 24.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 3
- Highest pay
- $85,964, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 82% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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)
- $1.6 million spent. Animal Defenders International, Inc. educates and creates awareness of the suffering of animals used in commerce for example in entertainment, farming, experiments, as well as working on protection of wildlife and their environment. The Organization's scientific, economic and legal research reports and educational materials, all provide the information and evidence needed to support change and protect animals from suffering. Its investigations, reports and videos are often the catalyst for legal protection for animals. The Organization also rescues and relocates animals affected by changes in legislation, for example when countries prohibit the use of animals in traveling circuses and there are animals that need relocating, the Organization assists governments with collection of animals and relocating them to forever homes. The Organization also builds new habitats for its rescues at sanctuaries all over the world and it finances the care of the animals for life, as needed by its sanctuary partners. Donors can support the Organization's Animal Rescuer scheme, and fund the care of animals living in their protected, natural habitats. also builds new habitats for its rescues at sanctuaries all over the world and it finances the care of the animals for life, as needed by its sanctuary partners. Donors can support the Organization's Animal Rescuer scheme, and fund the care of animals living in their protected, natural habitats.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 October 13, 2026.
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 November 6, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.