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Pets Come First Inc

EIN 20-3094906 · Centre Hall, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PETS COME FIRST IS A 501C (3) NON-PROFIT, NON-EUTHANASIA ORGANIZATION. OUR MISSION IS TO FACILITATE THE PLACEMENT OF STRAY AND UNWANTED ANIMALS INTO LOVING HOMES.

Income
$406,568
Spending
$458,531
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
8.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 43%
Employees
15
Volunteers
130

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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 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 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $308,253 spent. PETS COME FIRST IS A NON-EUTHANASIA ANIMAL SHELTER COMMITTED TO CARING FOR ANIMALS OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, AND SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. PETS COME FIRST WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER LOCAL RESCUES, CLINICS, AND PET FOOD PANTRIES TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY CAT "TRAP AND RELEASE" PROGRAMS ALONG WITH LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAMS TO COMBAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF PET OVERPOPULATION.WE ARE DEDICATED TO ENSURING RESPONSIBLE SHELTER MANAGEMENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, WORKING TOGETHER TO ELIMINATE THE CRITICAL OVERPOPULATION OF HOMELESS, STRAY AND ABUSED ANIMALS. EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING ALL ANIMALS WILL DECREASE THE NUMBER OF SURRENDERED AND UNWANTED ANIMALS TO AREA SHELTERS AND RESCUE GROUPS. WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER RESCUES, LOCAL & STATE POLICE, HUMANE OFFICERS, AND DOG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO PROVIDE MONETARY AND VOLUNTARY RESOURCES TO SUPPORT AND SPONSOR LOCAL ANIMAL PROGRAMS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL OFFER EMERGENCY PLACEMENT, FOOD, AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE PETS OF APPROVED AND RESPONSIBLE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS.

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 October 2005.

    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.