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Friends of the Oakland Animalshelter

EIN 20-4053711 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HOMES, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS TO OAKLAND'S ANIMALS IN NEED. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS HAS BEEN TO FUND PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AT OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES TO GREATLY INCREASE LIFESAVING OF SHELTER ANIMALS.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
35
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $456,119 spent. INCREASE LIFESAVING OF SHELTER ANIMALS (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL STATEMENT) FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES (FOAS) PARTNERS WITH OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES (OAS) TO EXPAND LIFE-SAVING FOR OAKLAND'S ANIMALS. OAS IS A MUNICIPAL SHELTER THAT OPERATES UNDER AN OPEN-ADMISSION FRAMEWORK, AND MUST ACCEPT MOST ANIMALS PRESENTED WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION REGARDLESS OF THE ANIMAL'S CONDITION FOAS SUPPORTS OAS BY FUNDING STAFF POSITIONS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDE THE ADOPTION PROGRAM, FOSTER PROGRAM, SMALL ANIMAL PROGRAM, DOG PLAYGROUPS, DOG BEHAVIOR, TRANSFER PROGRAM (TRANSFER OF ANIMALS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS), COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM, RELOCATION OF COMMUNITY CATS, PET SURRENDER PREVENTION, AND INTAKE-TO-PLACEMENT/PATHWAYS PLANNING.
  2. $608,158 spent. GENERAL SUPPORT FOR OAS ---LIKE MANY MUNICIPALITIES, THE CITY OF OAKLAND HAS BEEN IN FINANCIAL CRISIS SINCE THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, LEADING TO SEVERE CUTS BY THE CITY TO THE OAS BUDGET WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACT THE ABILITY OF OAS TO CARE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS.THROUGH GRANT FUNDING, FOAS PROVIDES FUNDING FOR EXTERNAL SPAY/NEUTER RESOURCES FOR SHELTER ANIMALS TO AUGMENT THE CAPACITY OF THE OAS VETERINARY TEAM. FOAS FUNDS FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES FOR ALL FOSTER ANIMALS AS WELL AS VETERINARY SUPPLIES AND EXTRAORDINARY VETERINARY CARE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS WHEN NEEDED. FOAS ALSO PROVIDES ONGOING ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT AND FUNDS STRATEGIC MARKETING COLLATERAL TO HELP ADVERTISE OAS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO BETTER REACH OAKLAND'S MOST UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. (SEE SCHED O)
  3. $456,118 spent. KEEPINGS PETS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER FOAS FUNDED URGENT VETERINARY CARE TO SUPPORT LOW-INCOME PET GUARDIANS AND PET GUARDIANS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO HELP THEM KEEP THEIR PETS. ADDITIONALLY, GRANT FUNDING MADE IT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE NO COST SPAY/NEUTER FOR OWNED ANIMALS AND COMMUNITY CATS. THESE PROGRAMS SUPPORT PEOPLE IN KEEPING THEIR PETS AND HAVE THE ADDED BENEFIT OF HELPING REDUCE SHELTER INTAKE.
  4. PROGRAM SERVICE STATEMENT 1 MEDICAL PROGRAM: FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES (FOAS) PARTNERS WITH OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES (OAS) TO EXPAND LIFE-SAVING SERVICES FOR OAKLAND'S ANIMALS. OAS IS A MUNICIPAL SHELTER THAT OPERATES UNDER AN OPEN-ADMISSION FRAMEWORK, AND MUST ACCEPT MOST ANIMALS PRESENTED WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION REGARDLESS OF THE ANIMAL'S CONDITION. FOAS SUPPORTS OAS BY FUNDING AND STAFFING PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE EUTHANASIA AND INTAKE. FOAS FUNDS AND PROVIDES FOSTER PROGRAMS, TRANSFER PROGRAMS, AND FREE SPAY AND NEUTER FOR ANIMALS OF OAKLAND RESIDENTS. FOAS ALSO SUPPORTS THE HUMAN-ANIMAL SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM, WHICH FOCUSES ON KEEPING PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER, THUS REDUCING INTAKE AT THE SHELTER. PROGRAM FACILITY: FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES FUNDS AND PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND CARE FOR OAKLAND'S ANIMALS. FOR EXAMPLE, FOAS HAS FUNDED EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO HELP VETERINARY STAFF BETTER CARE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS ON-SITE, INCLUDING AN X-RAY MACHINE. FOAS ALSO SUPPORTS OAS COMMUNITY CLINICS THAT PROVIDE FREE SERVICES TO OAKLAND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE A PET BUT DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO CARE FOR AN ANIMAL'S IMMEDIATE NEEDS. SUPPORTING THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF AN ANIMAL HELPS KEEP THE ANIMAL WITH A PERSON WHO LOVES AND CARES FOR THEM AND KEEPS THE ANIMAL OUT OF THE SHELTER. PROGRAM OPERATIONS: FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES FUNDS ESSENTIAL SHELTER SUPPLIES AND TOOLS THAT SAVE THE LIVES OF ANIMALS IN OAKLAND. FOAS FUNDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AREAS FOR SOCIALIZING AND EXERCISE. THESE FACILITIES PROVIDE SPACE THAT EXPANDS THE CAPACITY TO REHOME ANIMALS. ADDITIONALLY, FOAS FUNDS MATERIALS, TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPLIES FOR THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM THAT IS INTEGRAL TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SHELTER ANIMALS. VOLUNTEERS GIVE THE SHELTER THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF SOCIALIZATION AND ADOPTION SUPPORT ANNUALLY. PROGRAM SERVICE STATEMENT 2 LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS: OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SHELTER'S ADOPTION AND FOSTER PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE SHELTER ANIMALS. TO THAT END, FOAS FUNDS ESSENTIAL SHELTER STAFF, INCLUDING A PLAYGROUP COORDINATOR FOR DOGS AND OUTCOME TEAM STAFF FOR DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER ANIMALS TO BEST MATCH ADOPTERS WITH THEIR FUTURE PETS. FOAS ALSO PROVIDES ONGOING ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT TO HELP MARKET THE SHELTER'S FOAS-FUNDED LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS AND AVAILABLE ANIMALS AND TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OAS AS A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED SHELTER. FOAS ALSO FUNDS STRATEGIC MARKETING COLLATERAL TO HELP ADVERTISE OAS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO BETTER REACH OAKLAND'S MOST UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. REDUCTION OF PET SURRENDER: WE PARTNER WITH OAS TO IDENTIFY THE COMMON REASONS THE PUBLIC SURRENDERS THEIR ANIMALS. THIS ALLOWS US TO IMPLEMENT PROGRESSIVE AND PROACTIVE STRATEGIES TO HELP SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS TURNED INTO THE SHELTER FOR PREVENTABLE REASONS. IN MOST CASES, KEEPING PETS WITH THE FAMILIES THAT ALREADY KNOW AND LOVE THEM IS THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. FOAS FUNDS THE PET SUPPORT COORDINATOR, WHOSE MAIN FOCUS IS OFFERING SUPPORT FOR THE PERSON AS WELL AS THEIR ANIMAL TO KEEP PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER. ADDITIONALLY, THEY EDUCATE AND OFFER RESOURCES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON FINDING THEIR ANIMALS IF THEY ARE SEPARATED. DOG FOSTER PROGRAM: FOAS FUNDS A DOG FOSTER PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS INCREASE KENNEL CAPACITY AT THE SHELTER AND FOCUSES ON THE INDIVIDUAL DOG'S NEEDS FOR PERMANENT PLACEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE DOG DOES NOT DO WELL IN A SHELTER SETTING, THE DOG FOSTER TEAM WILL FIND A FOSTER VOLUNTEER TO TAKE THEM INTO THEIR HOME TEMPORARILY UNTIL THEY FIND A FOREVER HOME OR FIND AN ALTERNATE RESCUE PARTNER ORGANIZATION THAT IS A BETTER FIT FOR THAT PARTICULAR DOG'S NEEDS. FOSTERING ANIMALS IN A TEMPORARY HOME HAS MULTIPLE BENEFITS, INCLUDING LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE DOG'S BEHAVIOR AND TEMPERAMENT, AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINING BEFORE ADOPTION. OUR DOG FOSTER TEAM AND TRANSFER PARTNERS SAVE DOGS' LIVES BY OPENING UP MORE KENNEL SPACE FOR DOGS THAT MAY NEED IT THE MOST. SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC: FRIENDS OF OAKLAND ANIMAL SERVICES FUNDS FREE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES TO DOGS AND CATS OF OAKLAND RESIDENTS WHO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM THE SHELTER. THROUGH REGULARLY SCHEDULED SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS, WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL NEED IS NOT A BARRIER FOR OAKLAND RESIDENTS SEEKING SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES FOR THEIR ANIMALS. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR PETS SPAYED AND NEUTERED, PREVENTING UNDESIRED NUISANCE BEHAVIORS AND ELIMINATING SPECIFIC LIFE-THREATENING HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH CATS AND DOGS. ADDITIONALLY, SPAYING/NEUTERING HELPS REDUCE THE OVERPOPULATION OF UNWANTED DOGS AND CATS IN OAKLAND AND REDUCES THE EUTHANASIA RATE AT THE SHELTER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 2007.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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