Chesapeake Humane Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHESAPEAKE HUMANE SOCIETY'S MISSION IS TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS AND BUILD CONNECTIONS FOR PETS AND PEOPLE THROUGH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS, AND THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO CULTIVATE A HUMANE COMMUNITY THAT FOSTERS COMPASSION AND STRENGTHENS THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 70%
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 140
- Highest pay
- $113,530, executive di
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
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $2.0 million spent. LOW-COST VETERINARY CLINIC. THERE WERE 4,280 SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES, 159 DENTAL PROCEDURES, AND 37 HEARTWORM TREATMENTS COMPLETED DURING THE YEAR. ALSO, 1,592 PETS WERE MICROCHIPPED, 3,002 RABIES VACCINES ADMINISTERED, AND 1,291 HEARTWORM TESTS CONDUCTED IN 2024.
- SHELTER PROGRAM FOR CATS, DOGS, AND SMALL ANIMALS. MAJORITY OF PETS IN THE SHELTER PROGRAM ARE TRANSFERRED IN FROM LOCAL SHELTER PARTNERS. IN 2024, CHESAPEAKE HUMANE SOCIETY CARED FOR 833 PETS AND HAD A LIVE RELEASE RATE OF 94.6%.
- CRISIS BOARDING PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY BOARDING FOR PEOPLE FACING TEMPORARY HARDSHIP. IN 2024, CHESAPEAKE HUMANE SOCIETY CARED FOR 120 PETS FOR 92 FAMILIES EXPERIENCING CRISES. OF THOSE 120 PETS, 98 WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILY; 20 WERE UNABLE TO BE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILY AND WERE ADOPTED OUT THROUGH OUR ADOPTION PROGRAM; AND 2 WERE EUTHANIZED DUE TO SEVERE MEDICAL OR BEHAVIORAL CONCERNS. IN 2024, WE RECEIVED 415 CARE REQUESTS. 267 REQUESTS WERE RELATED TO HOUSING AND EVICTIONS; 48 WERE RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; 44 WERE MEDICAL EMERGENCIES; 13 WERE HOUSE FIRES; AND 43 OTHER. THE PET PANTRY DISTRIBUTED 11,338 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 391 FAMILIES IN NEED AND LOCAL ANIMAL WELFARE PARTNERS.
- $106,718 spent. IN 2024, THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM HAD 140 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS. CHESAPEAKE HUMANE SOCIETY ESTIMATES THAT IT RECEIVED 3,843 VOLUNTEER HOURS AND 22,302 FOSTER CARE HOURS FROM ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
- IN 2024, THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM HAD 140 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS. CHESAPEAKE HUMANE SOCIETY ESTIMATES THAT IT RECEIVED 3,843 VOLUNTEER HOURS AND 22,302 FOSTER CARE HOURS FROM ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1974.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.