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The Rescue Train

EIN 20-1897642 · North Hollywood, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A NO KILL ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING ANIMAL SUFFERING THROUGH HANDS-ON RESCUE WORK, DEDICATION TO SPAY/NEUTER, SHELTER INTERVENTION, AND EDUCATION AND AWARENESS.

Income
$591,973
Spending
$636,239
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$75,000, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $289,480 spent. DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT LACK OF ACCESS TO SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES IN LOS ANGELES, THE RESCUE TRAIN LAUNCHED A MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC IN AUGUST 2024, PROVIDING FREE AND LOW-COST SERVICES TO SHELTERS, RESCUES, AND LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS.THIS INITIATIVE HELPS REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS ENTERING SHELTERS AND ADDRESSES PET OVERPOPULATION.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RUNS "FERAL FIX LA," A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY CATS, WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CATS LIVING ON THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES AND ALLEVIATING ANIMAL SUFFERING.IN TOTAL, OVER 800 PETS WERE SPAYED OR NEUTERED IN 2024 THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS.
  2. $172,677 spent. IT IS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO SAVE AS MANY ANIMAL LIVES AS POSSIBLE BY REHOMING ABANDONED, INJURED, AND UNWANTED ANIMALS.THE ORGANIZATION RESCUES DOGS, CATS, AND FARM ANIMALS FROM CITY AND COUNTY SHELTERS, AS WELL AS FROM THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES, AND SEEKS TO PLACE THEM IN LOVING, PERMANENT HOMES.PRIOR TO ADOPTION, ALL ANIMALS ARE SPAYED OR NEUTERED, VACCINATED, AND MICROCHIPPED. SICK, INJURED, AND SENIOR ANIMALS RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATION. ANIMALS REQUIRING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION RECEIVE TRAINING TO SUPPORT SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ASSISTS SHELTERS AND RESCUE GROUPS IN PREPARING ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION BY PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGH ITS MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC.
  3. $116,630 spent. THE RESCUE TRAIN IS A PIONEER OF THE SHELTER INTERVENTION MODEL, ALSO KNOWN AS THE "KEEP YOUR PET" PROJECT AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PET OWNERS WITH ALTERNATIVES TO SURRENDERING THEIR ANIMALS DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS.THE PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT FOR VETERINARY CARE, PET FOOD, GROOMING, SHELTER REDEMPTION FEES, AND PET DEPOSITS.BILINGUAL COUNSELORS OPERATE OUT OF THE EAST VALLEY ANIMAL SHELTER AND RESPOND TO A DEDICATED HOTLINE. THE PROGRAM ALSO MAINTAINS A PET FOOD PANTRY.BY PROVIDING CRITICAL RESOURCES TO SENIORS, VETERANS, LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS, AND INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, THE PROGRAM HELPS KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES REDUCING SHELTER INTAKE AND EUTHANASIA.IN 2024, THIS PROGRAM SERVED 1,924 PETS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.