Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The programs and services that the Shelter offers are adoptions of dogs/puppies/cats/kittens low-cost spay neuter clinics humane law enforcement free rabies clinics, humane education lost and found liasion with local animal control officers referral service and behavioral advice and referral.
- Income
- $488,909
- Spending
- $454,480
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 10
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- $220,739 spent. Animal shelter housing homeless and unwanted animals. Operates as a no-kill shelter and adopted 253 animals this year to local homes. Organization operates community educational programs and raises awareness to animal control problems and promotes compassion toward animals. The Shelter had 344 intakes of animals in 2024 and housed 40 animals as of the end of the year.
- $61,253 spent. Humane Law Enforcement Division consists paid staff, which is responsible for countywide investigation, education and enforcement of animal welfare laws at the federal, state and local levels. Agents complete New York State certified training programs in Law Enforcement topics and practices, with emphasis upon all aspects of animal cruelty investigations and humane treatment of animals. Upon completion Agents are placed on the master registry of New York State Peace Officers. Pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure Law, Agents of the SPCA are classified as unrestricted peace officers CPL 2.10.7 with full powers of arrest primarily for animal cruelty offenses. The Organization responded to 224 alleged cases of animal neglect, cruelty or abuse in 2024.
- $108,899 spent. Organization provided 34 spay and neuter clinics in the community in 2024. year. A total of 908 dogs and cats were spayed or neutered at the clincs in 2024. Clinics are operated by Shelter Outreach Services and provides affordable spay and neuter services that prevent over-population of unwanted animals.
- Program Service Expenses 15,967, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 C.A.R.E PROGRAMS which includes spay ane neuter programs, food, supplies, volunteer expenses, and vehicle expenses. The Organization logged 449 incidents of pantry transactions, pet rehoming support, and pet retention.
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
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 October 13, 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 2024.
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 June 1945.
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 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.