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Womens Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

EIN 23-1352585 · Bensalem, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS AMERICA'S FIRST ANIMAL SHELTER, FOUNDED IN 1869, WOMEN'S HUMANE SOCIETY DBA WOMEN'S ANIMAL CENTER (WAC), ASSISTS PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, SAVES THE LIVES OF ANIMALS, AND IMPROVES THE HEALTH OF PETS THROUGH ITS SHELTER AND ADOPTIONS CENTER, (SEE SCHEDULE O)VETERINARY HOSPITAL, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
19.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 47%
Employees
62
Volunteers
58
Highest pay
$183,491, 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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. $1.4 million spent. HOSPITAL SERVICES: THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL AT WAC PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE FOR ANIMALS RESIDING IN THE WAC ANIMAL SHELTER AND IS ALSO DEDICATED TO PROVIDING AFFORDABLE QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR FAMILY PETS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE WAC VETERINARY HOSPITAL OBTAINED THE DISTINCTION AS AN AMERICAN ANIMAL HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (AAHA) ACCREDITED HOSPITAL AND COMPLETED A RIGOROUS EVALUATION PROCESS TO MEET THE AAHA STANDARDS OF ACCREDITATION, WHICH INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS: PATIENT CARE; DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING; LABORATORY; PAIN MANAGEMENT; SURGERY; CLIENT SERVICE; ANESTHESIA; CONTINUING EDUCATION; DENTISTRY; LEADERSHIP; AND URGENT CARE. (SEE SCHEDULE O)TO MAINTAIN ACCREDITED STATUS HOSPITALS UNDERGO COMPREHENSIVE ON-SITE EVALUATIONS EVERY THREE YEARS, WHICH ENSURES THAT HOSPITALS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AAHA MANDATORY STANDARDS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)PET OWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY CAN OBTAIN SERVICES FOR FAMILY PETS AT WAC'S VETERINARY HOSPITAL THAT INCLUDE: CLIENT EDUCATION AND PREVENTATIVE WELL VISITS; SICK VISITS AND CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT; LAB, RADIOGRAPHS AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTICS; DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS; SURGERY TO RESOLVE CHRONIC OR LIFE-THREATENING ISSUES; AND SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY. IN 2024, OVER 18,000 PATIENTS WERE TREATED IN THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL BY ONE OF WAC'S LICENSED VETERINARIANS. THE HOSPITAL STAFF COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 2100 SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES AND 2318 LIFE ENHANCING/LIFESAVING SURGERIES IN ADDITION TO SICK AND WELLNESS EXAMS. PROVIDING VETERINARY SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF OUR MISSION AS A HUMANE SOCIETY TO ENSURE THAT PETS RECEIVE HUMANE TREATMENT AND REGULAR VETERINARY CARE SO THEY CAN LIVE HEALTHY LIVES. IN 2024, WAC PROVIDED $114,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, IN THE FORM OF DISCOUNTED SERVICE FEES, FOR PATIENTS IN NEED THROUGH THE WAC COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND.
  2. $1.5 million spent. SHELTER SERVICES: THE WAC ANIMAL SHELTER PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON SAVING ALL HEALTHY AND TREATABLE ANIMALS. SHELTER SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR UNWANTED AND ABANDONED SMALL ANIMALS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANE SHELTERING FOR ALL ANIMALS IN OUR CARE; INTAKE/RECEIVING OF ABANDONED ANIMALS, ADOPTIONS AND LIFESAVING, LOST AND FOUND SERVICES, DOG BEHAVIOR TRAINING, COMMUNITY EDUCATION RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS, AND VETERINARY MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTATIVE CARE. WAC RECEIVED 2027 ANIMALS IN 2024. THE CENTER'S HOSPITAL STAFF PERFORMS SPAY/NEUTER SURGERY FOR ALL SHELTER ANIMALS PRIOR TO ADOPTION, FOR ANIMAL RESCUE PARTNERS, AND FOR COMMUNITY CATS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAY/NEUTERING IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF WAC'S PROGRAM SERVICES AND OVERALL GOAL TO REDUCE THE OVERALL NUMBER OF HOMELESS ANIMALS ENTERING ANIMAL SHELTERS.
  3. $173,468 spent. HUMANE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: WAC'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS FOUNDED IN THE BELIEF THAT ANIMAL SHELTERS CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ANIMALS. EDUCATION TAKES PLACE THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, DOG TRAINING, ADOPTION CENTER AND THROUGH OUR HOSPITAL VETERINARY STAFF. THESE ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE A POWERFUL AND POSITIVE TOOL IN PREVENTING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AND SUPPORTING OVERALL ANIMAL HEALTH WHILE ALSO REDUCING THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS ANIMALS THAT ARE SURRENDERED TO ANIMAL SHELTERS IN THE REGION. WAC ENGAGED WITH INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS OF ALL AGES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOL GROUPS AND YOUTH PROGRAMS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)THROUGH WAC'S STORYTAILS PROGRAM CHILDREN VISIT THE SHELTER TO READ TO ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY CAT ROOM TO HELP SOCIALIZE AND REDUCE STRESS FOR OUR HOMELESS ANIMALS. WAC'S PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED WITH MODERATE FEES FOR SERVICES AND DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, ESTATES, BEQUESTS, BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS.

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 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 January 1963.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York, NY), EIN 13-1623829. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.