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Animal Rescue League of Boston

EIN 04-2103714 · Dedham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BOSTON'S VISION IS TO CONFRONT ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT AT ITS ROOT CAUSES. THROUGH PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND FACILITIES FOCUSED ON ACCESSIBLE ANIMAL CARE, PUBLIC ADVOCACY, AND SUSTAINED ANTI-CRUELTY EFFORTS... (SEE SCHEDULE O)

Income
$21.9 million
Spending
$14.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
53.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 46%
Employees
141
Volunteers
1,191
Highest pay
$383,722, president & ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 53.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (4)
  1. $4.0 million spent. ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION - ARL'S THREE CENTERS IN BOSTON, DEDHAM, AND CAPE COD OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK: ADOPTION, INTAKE AND SURRENDER, SHELTER AND CARE, BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, AND ENRICHMENT. SPECIAL ADOPTION PROGRAMS FOR CATS INCLUDE TAMING TINY TIGERS, TO HELP UNDER-SOCIALIZED KITTENS LEARN TO BOND WITH HUMAN COMPANIONS, AND WORKING CATS, WHICH PLACES CATS BEST SUITED TO AN ACTIVE WORKING LIFESTYLE. ARL ALSO OFFERS PET BEHAVIORAL RESOURCES TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING DOG TRAINING COURSES AND A FREE PET BEHAVIOR HELPLINE. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT RECRUITS AND SUPPORTS TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ANIMAL CARE, ADVOCACY, AND OPERATIONS IN 2024...(SEE SCHEDULE O) ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION - ARL'S THREE CENTERS IN BOSTON, DEDHAM, AND CAPE COD OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK: ADOPTION, INTAKE AND SURRENDER, SHELTER AND CARE, BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT, AND ENRICHMENT. SPECIAL ADOPTION PROGRAMS FOR CATS INCLUDE TAMING TINY TIGERS, TO HELP UNDER-SOCIALIZED KITTENS LEARN TO BOND WITH HUMAN COMPANIONS, AND WORKING CATS, WHICH PLACES CATS BEST SUITED TO AN ACTIVE WORKING LIFESTYLE. ARL ALSO OFFERS PET BEHAVIORAL RESOURCES TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING DOG TRAINING COURSES AND A FREE PET BEHAVIOR HELPLINE. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT RECRUITS AND SUPPORTS TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ANIMAL CARE, ADVOCACY, AND OPERATIONS IN 2024. HEALTHY MOMS, HAPPY LITTERS OFFERS FREE HIGH-QUALITY SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES AND VACCINATIONS FOR PARENT CATS OR DOGS, AND PLACES THE PARENT'S LITTER OF KITTENS OR PUPPIES UP FOR ADOPTION. TEMPORARY PET HOUSING SUPPORTS SEVERAL ARL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING KEEP PETS S.A.F.E., WITH THE GOAL OF REUNITING A PET WITH ITS OWNER. PINE RIDGE PET CEMETERY, LOCATED ON THE DEDHAM CAMPUS, FACILITATES BURIAL AND CREMATION SERVICES FOR PETS.
  2. $5.4 million spent. VETERINARY SERVICES - ARL OPERATES THREE VETERINARY PROGRAMS: 1) BOSTON VETERINARY CARE PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF HIGH-QUALITY OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO PET OWNERS IN GREATER BOSTON. A CLINIC WITH A MISSION, ALL PROFITS SUPPORT ARL PROGRAMS; 2) SHELTER VETERINARY SERVICES PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE, INCLUDING PHYSICAL EXAMS AND VACCINATIONS, FOR ALL ARL ANIMAL CARE & ADOPTION CENTERS. 3) COMMUNITY VETERINARY SERVICES SERVES ANIMALS AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE. THE SPAY WAGGIN', ARL'S MOBILE VETERINARY SURGICAL VEHICLE, PROVIDES LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES TO CATS AND DOGS IN GREATER BOSTON, SOUTHEASTERN MA, CAPE COD, AND THE ISLANDS...(SEE SCHEDULE O) VETERINARY SERVICES - ARL OPERATES THREE VETERINARY PROGRAMS: 1) BOSTON VETERINARY CARE PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF HIGH-QUALITY OUTPATIENT SERVICES TO PET OWNERS IN GREATER BOSTON. A CLINIC WITH A MISSION, ALL PROFITS SUPPORT ARL PROGRAMS; 2) SHELTER VETERINARY SERVICES PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE, INCLUDING PHYSICAL EXAMS AND VACCINATIONS, FOR ALL ARL ANIMAL CARE & ADOPTION CENTERS. 3) COMMUNITY VETERINARY SERVICES SERVES ANIMALS AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE. THE SPAY WAGGIN', ARL'S MOBILE VETERINARY SURGICAL VEHICLE, PROVIDES LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES TO CATS AND DOGS IN GREATER BOSTON, SOUTHEASTERN MA, CAPE COD, AND THE ISLANDS. THE COMMUNITY SURGICAL CLINIC PROVIDES VETERINARY AND SURGICAL SERVICES AT ARL'S DEDHAM CAMPUS TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND ANIMAL CONTROL. THE AWARD-WINNING MOBILE VETERINARY VEHICLE, THE WELLNESS WAGGIN', PROVIDES WEEKLY LOW-COST PET WELLNESS CLINICS IN DORCHESTER, ROXBURY, MATTAPAN, AND EAST BOSTON.
  3. $1.2 million spent. ANIMAL PROTECTION - AS A LEADER IN ANIMAL WELFARE, ARL IS COMMITTED TO PREVENTING ANIMAL SUFFERING, NEGLECT, AND ABUSE IN MASSACHUSETTS. ARL DOES THIS THROUGH TWO DEPARTMENTS THAT FOCUS PRIMARILY ON ANIMAL PROTECTION: 1) ANIMAL ADVOCACY WORKS TO DRAFT HUMANE LAWS, ANIMAL WELFARE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS; AND ENGAGES STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND ARL SUPPORTERS TO ADVOCATE/PROMOTE FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION; 2) HUMANE LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATES CRIMES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY, ABUSE, AND NEGLECT. ARL EMPLOYS MASSACHUSETTS SPECIAL STATE POLICE AS HUMANE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS; AND TRAINS FIRST RESPONDERS, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS, AND OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES.
  4. $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - ARL MEETS PEOPLE AND ANIMALS IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS, ARL AIMS TO KEEP EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD HEALTHY, AND FAMILIES TOGETHER. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING OUTREACH AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES: 1) FIELD SERVICES PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND NON-TECHNICAL RESCUES FOR INJURED DOMESTIC ANIMALS, LIVESTOCK, AND RAPTORS. 2) THE COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAM HELPS UNOWNED CATS (FERAL, SEMI-FERAL, AND OUTDOOR CATS) BY ASSESSING CAT COLONIES AND FORMULATING TNR (TRAP/NEUTER/RETURN) PLANS. 3) THE TRANSPORT WAGGIN' I AND TRANSPORT WAGGIN' II LINK TOGETHER ARL'S LOCATIONS AND PROGRAMS, ALLOWING TRANSPORT OF OUT-OF-STATE ANIMALS, AND ASSISTING MUNICIPAL SHELTERS, ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITIES, AND SMALLER RESCUE GROUPS. 4) KEEP PETS S.A.F.E (SUPPORTING ANIMALS AND FAMILIES EVERYDAY) PROVIDES CRITICAL SERVICES, SUCH AS PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES, IN RESPONSE TO URGENT COMMUNITY NEEDS. 5) HUMANE EDUCATION - ARL SEEKS TO CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMPASSIONATE ANIMAL ADVOCATES BY PRESENTING INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS FOCUSED ON TOPICS RELATED TO ANIMAL WELFARE AND CARE.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1943.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.