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Shelter Outreach Services

EIN 06-1697719 · Ithaca, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES TO ANIMALS OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND HOMELESS ANIMALS

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
58
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$221,300, 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 4 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. $1.1 million spent. SOS STERILIZED OVER 14,500 ANIMALS IN 2024. THE ANIMALS STERILIZED WERE ANIMALS IN NEED INCLUDING SHELTER DOGS AND CATS, BARN CATS, FERAL CATS, DOGS AND CATS FROM RESCUE GROUPS AND DOGS AND CATS FROM FAMILIES OF LOW INCOME. SOS PROVIDED ACCESS TO VETERINARY CARE FOR THESE ANIMAL POPULATIONS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE RECEIVED VETERINARY SERVICES. IN AUGUST 2018, SOS EXPANDED ITS SERVICES AND NOW HAS THE ABILITY TO HAVE TWO TEAMS ON THE ROAD ON ANY GIVEN DAY, ALLOWING SOS TO MEET THE NEED AND REQUESTS FOR HIGH QUALITY HIGH VOLUME SPAY NEUTER IN OUR REGION. SOS IS NOW ABLE TO HOLD 40-45 CLINICS PER MONTH AS NEEDED (UP FROM 30 CLINICS PER MONTH). SOS IS A MODEL PROGRAM ON A NATIONAL LEVEL AND SERVES A LARGE REGIONAL AREA IN NYS. SOS PROVIDES SERVICE FOR 10+ COUNTIES IN THE FINGER LAKES, CENTRAL NY AND SOUTHERN TIER REGIONS AND BEYOND. SOS ALSO HAS A TEACHING COLLABORATION WITH THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, WHERE THE VETERINARY STUDENTS JOIN SOS TO GAIN HANDS-ON SURGICAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERIENCE WITH HQHVSN AND SHELTER MEDICINE. SINCE PROGRAM INCEPTION IN 2003, SOS HAS STERILIZED MORE THAN 228,000 ANIMALS.

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 August 2003.

    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.