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Animal Welfare Association Incorporated

EIN 22-1752792 · Voorhees, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Animal Welfare Association's mission is to eliminate animal suffering, promote the importance of the human-animal bond, and improve the role of animals in the well-being of people.Animal Welfare Association's vision is to be "A Place Where Happiness Begins" by helping to create a compassionate community, by serving as a resource for pet lovers/pet owners in need, and by envisioning achieving zero tolerance for companion animals needlessly suffering and dying in our South Jersey community. AWA's history demonstrates a continuing commitment to reaching beyond its facility walls to achieve its mission and vision, believing that a compassionate community should look to enhance the lives of all in the community, including the most vulnerable pets and people.By redefining how AWA will serve as a resource for pets/pet lovers/pet owners in need, AWA believes it will transform the organization into a Center for Excellence a national leader in the field of animal welfare.Animal Welfare Associati

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
66
Highest pay
$133,900, executive dir.

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.5 million spent. AWA serves as a safety net for the areas most vulnerable pets. AWA acts as a support system for overcrowded shelters by receiving transports of animals from within our local region as well as shelters across the nation. AWA also supports several international efforts including receiving dogs from South Korea. In 2024, 1,623 animals got a second chance through AWAs transport program.Our comprehensive veterinary, behavioral rehabilitation, rehoming intervention/support and pet retention initiatives have saved over 20,000 dogs, cats and small mammals since 2013During 2024 AWA maintained a 96% save rate with 2,476 homless pets finding forever homesIn addition the shelter works to provide support to prevent pet rehoming when possible through programs such as our Pet Food Pantry and helps to safely and responsibily provide rehoming services when needed through our Rehoming team.The AWA Pet Food Pantry provides free food to community members who need help to keep their pets in their homes. In 2023 over 3,288 households were providedwith free food. In 2024 2,546 pets were safely taken in through our rehoming team and over 1,500 clients were provided supportive counseling
  2. $1.6 million spent. AWA works to support pet owners within our community by removing barriers to pet ownership when possible. On of the biggest barriers to keeping pets in homes is the high cost of pet health care. The Pet Clinic provides access to affordable pet health care, including low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and free or low-cost vaccines clinics. AWAs Pet Clinic was the first spay/neuter clinic in the Mid-Atlantic region. For nearly fifty years AWA veterinarians have provided spay/neuter surgeries to dogs and cats to help curb pet population. In 2024 9,914 vaccines were administered and 3,460 spay/neuter surgeries were performed. In addition, 1,073 feral cats were provided spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines through our TNR programIn 2024 3,479 pets received Wellness checks through our low-cost Pet ClinicVets on Wheels provides free vaccines, microchips, preventatives and food to Camden, NJ residents 14 times a year. In 2024 1,561 pets received services
  3. $184,614 spent. AWAs education team manages and delivers several programs to provide meaningful activities for students that help encourage empathy for animals. Through our PAWS (People Achieving With Support) program AWA works with several local schools and agencies to provide programs for special needs students. Each week our PAWS students provide much needed support by creating enrichment for the animals, helping to fill adoption kits and help with facility upkeep.AWAs Pet therapy program helps promote mental wellness and joy through visits with our trained therapy dogs. Our Pet Therapy team visits assisted living facilities, retirement homes and schools. In 2024 the team provided 227 visits.The Education department launched multiple new programs including Scout badges, school outreach, field trips, adult seminar series (Tail Talks), home school program (Animal Academy), pre-school workshop (Wags & Wiggles), Kids Day off Camp, Overnight program and birthday partiesAltogether the Education team reached 9,717 students/people in 2024.

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 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 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 November 1957.

    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.