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Providence Animal Rescue League

EIN 05-0262712 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEAGUE'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESCUE AND RELIEF OF SUFFERING OF HOMELESS ANIMALS AND PERFORM CHARITABLE OR BENEVOLENT ACTS FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS. THE LEAGUE ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE SHELTER AND HUMANE CARE FOR HOMELESS ANIMALS, REDUCING PET OVERPOPULATION THROUGH STRICT SPAY/NEUTER MEASURES, SEEKING PERMANENT, RESPONSIBLE HOMES FOR ADOPTABLE PETS, PROVIDING A DIVERSITY OF HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
30
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$107,007, executive director

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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $1.5 million spent. PARL'S CORE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ADOPTION, SPAY/NEUTER, PET FOOD PANTRY, AND PREVENTATIVE VETERINARY CLINICS, EXPERIENCED CONSISTENT GROWTH AND IMPACT, EXCEEDING PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS. PARL SERVED OVER 5,000 ANIMALS IN 2024, TAKING IN 1,426 ANIMALS (758 CATS, 431 DOGS, 237 SMALL ANIMALS), A NOTABLE INCREASE FROM THE 1,051 ANIMALS (543 CATS, 284 DOGS, 224 SMALL ANIMALS) TAKEN IN DURING 2023. THESE INTAKES INCLUDED PETS TRANSFERRED FROM PROVIDENCE ANIMAL CONTROL, OTHER RESCUES, AND OWNER SURRENDERS. THE TOP REASONS FOR SURRENDER WERE HOUSING CHALLENGES, THE DEATH OR ILLNESS OF A HUMAN FAMILY MEMBER, OR FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS.OF ALL ANIMALS TAKEN IN DURING 2024, 1,196 WERE SUCCESSFULLY ADOPTED (COMPARED TO 964 IN 2023). IN ADDITION, 70 ANIMALS WERE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER RESCUE GROUPS OR RETURNED TO THEIR OWNERS (COMPARED TO 34 TRANSFERS/RETURNS IN 2023). PARL BEGAN 2024 WITH 117 ANIMALS IN ITS CARE AND ENDED WITH 152 ANIMALS, REFLECTING ITS COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY BY PUBLISHING COMPLETE INTAKE AND OUTCOME DATA ON ITS WEBSITE ANNUALLY.PARL'S LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM FACED CHALLENGES MAINTAINING A STABLE SCHEDULE DUE TO A NATIONAL VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE, YET STILL PROVIDED 1,651 SURGERIES IN 2024 (COMPARED TO 1,443 IN 2023). OF THESE, 739 WERE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS AND 912 FOR COMMUNITY PETS, COMPARED TO 2023'S 503 SHELTER AND 940 COMMUNITY PETS. PREVENTATIVE CARE EFFORTS SAW SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH, WITH PARL HOLDING 15 LOW-COST VACCINE AND MICROCHIPPING CLINICS. DEMAND GREW SIGNIFICANTLY, AS EVIDENCED BY A INCREASE IN ANIMALS SERVED. PARL ADMINISTERED 2,329 VACCINES, 477 MICROCHIPS, AND 326 NAIL TRIMS TO A TOTAL OF 1,436 COMMUNITY PETS IN 2024.PARL'S PET FOOD PANTRY ADDRESSED ONGOING COMMUNITY NEEDS, THOUGH INFLATION AND PRODUCT SHORTAGES STRAINED INVENTORY. DESPITE CHALLENGES, PARL PROVIDED 143,098 PET MEALS AND 9,781 LBS OF CAT LITTER, SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND HELPING KEEP PETS IN HOMES.PARL'S IN-SHELTER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM CONTINUED SUPPORT PARL'S MISSION IN 2024, WITH 4,045 VOLUNTEER HOURS AND 988 STUDENT INTERN HOURS DONATED IN 2024. PARL STRIVES TO SUPPORT PET FAMILIES, RECOGNIZING THE MUTUAL BENEFITS PETS BRING TO PEOPLE'S WELL-BEING. FOR THOSE NEEDING TO SURRENDER OR ADOPT, PARL OFFERS JUDGMENT-FREE SUPPORT THROUGH CONVERSATION-BASED PROCESSES THAT REDUCE BARRIERS AND PRIORITIZE QUALITY OUTCOMES FOR PETS AND PEOPLE ALIKE. PARL'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING UNDERPINS ALL PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND INITIATIVES.

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 November 6, 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 May 1938.

    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 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.