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Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

EIN 23-1352269 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) protects animals from cruelty and abuse, rescues and rehabilitates neglected, abandoned and unwanted animals, and promotes animal welfare throughout Pennsylvania. Operating under a "No-Kill" philosophy, we provide medical care, spaying/neutering, and placement services without discrimination based on health, age, or breed. We offer low-cost veterinary services to the public to ensure accessible animal healthcare. Through community education on responsible pet ownership, we work to reduce animal homelessness and suffering.

Income
$13.9 million
Spending
$13.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
226
Volunteers
532
Highest pay
$271,474, chief executive officer

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 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. $5.2 million spent. The PSPCA operated four facilities during 2024: our headquarters in Philadelphia, the Main Line Animal Rescue location in Phoenixville, and two regional centers in Danville (Montour County, Central PA) and Lancaster. Rescue, Rehabilitation and Placement - to place formerly neglected, abused, or unwanted animals in forever homes, which includes collaboration with other animal shelters. During 2024, the PSPCA found homes for 4,530 animals and achieved a 97% live release rate.
  2. $5.3 million spent. Shelter Hospital - to provide high-qualityigh quality, andcompassionate veterinary treatment and medical rehabilitation of sick and injured animals in the PSPCA's care, a significant volume of which enter the shelter through animallaw enforcement. During 2024, 3,750 shelter animals were treated in ourshelter hospitals. Surgical Services: Our goal is to offer affordable and accessible surgical services to the community, including spaying and neutering to help reduce pet overpopulation. We also perform spay and neuter surgeries for animals in our shelter as a pre-adoption requirement. In 2024, the PSPCA conducted11,551 surgeries. Public Veterinary Care: We provide low-cost veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick visits, and end-of-life veterinary care services to the community. In 2024, the PSPCA's public veterinary clinics served 20,517clients and their pets.
  3. $1.5 million spent. Animal law enforcement ("ALE") works to prevent animal cruelty and neglect by enforcing Pennsylvania's anti-cruelty laws. Humane litigation oversees the prosecution of cruelty cases brought by the humane law enforcement team. In 2024, ALE officers investigated 4,036 animal cruelty complaints. Humane Education aims to prevent animal cruelty and promote responsible pet ownership by educating children and adults in the community about humane treatment of animals. In 2024, 930 youth participated in humane education programs, and 8,470 pets were served through the community outreach program.

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 1935.

    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.