Animals Are First Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ANIMALS ARE FIRST FUND (ARFF) PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ANIMALS CARED FOR AND HOUSED AT ANIMAL SHELTERS OPERATED BY SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL (ACC). ARFF PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP, PET ADOPTION, AND SPAYING/NEUTERING IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY. ARFF ALSO PROVIDES OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE GOALS, AS ALLOWED BY LAW. ARFF HAS NO PAID STAFF AND IS 100% SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO DESIRE TO HELP THE HOMELESS ANIMALS CARED FOR AT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER FACILITIES.
- Income
- $56,614
- Spending
- $44,681
- Reserves
- 43.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $34,245 spent. IN THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025, THE ANIMALS ARE FIRST FUND (ARFF) PARTICIPATED IN SUBARU LOVES PETS CAMPAIGN, CLEAR THE SHELTER, AND CALIFORNIA ADOPT A PET DAY WHERE ARFF COVERED THE ADOPTION FEE MAKING IT FREE ADOPTIONS FOR ADOPTERS. ARFF GENEROUSLY HELPED SETUP MISTERS IN THE ZEN GARDEN PLAY YARD. ARFF FUNDED INCENTIVES FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS PROVIDING PET WASTE BAGS AND DISPENSER TO PET OWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY. ARFF SUPPORTED THE COUNTY SHELTERS WITH FUNDING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES DURING THE FUNDING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES DURING THE COLD WINTER AND WHEN THE HEATERS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AS WELL AS WITH FUNDING TO PURCHASE KURANDA DOG BEDS FOR THE PETS IN THEIR CARE. ARFF FUNDED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS THROUGH THE COUNTY'S TELLING TAILS PROGRAM, A VETERINARY GATHERING TO HELP THE COUNTY EXPAND THEIR VETERINARY PARTNERS, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF PLEXIGLASS ON THE COUNTY'S ADOPTION TRAILER.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.