Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Promote the welfare and adoption of companion animals, and nurture loving, lifelong relationships between animals and people.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $4.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- -6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 72
- Volunteers
- 700
- Highest pay
- $241,971, president & 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 11% 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 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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 (3)
- $2.6 million spent. Helping people and pets by providing pet resources and assistance aimed at preventing animals from going into the shelter and keeping them in their homes. In 2024, SICSA diverted more than 4,500 cats and dogs from coming into care.Caring for stray and unwanted companion animals until they can be rehomed, including high-quality medical care, nutrition, socialization, training, and support.Expert and easily accessible matching and adoption services between potential families and our animals both in our center, which is open seven days a week, and in locations throughout the community. In 2024, more than 2,000 animals were adopted and placed in loving homes and communities.
- $938,532 spent. Subsidized wellness veterinary care, spay and neuter services, and MASH-style neighorhood-based clinics for low- and moderate-income families; aimed at keeping animals healthy in their homes and reducing the number of unwanted and stray pets in our neighborhoods. In 2024, more than 4,600 cats and dogs were spayed and neutered, and more than 550 pets went through SICSA's low-cost community veterinary care clinics.
- $81,757 spent. Professional humane education programs for children, youth, and adults to help inform and promote issues around animal welfare and pet owner responsibility. In 2024, SICSA provided more than 200 hours of humane education programing.Community involvement through volunteerism for yourg people and adults, resulting in a decrease in isolation and an increase in skills for both the volunteers and the animals they serve. In 2024, more than 700 adult and youth vounteers participated in SICSA programing.
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 December 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.