Animal Friends Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in crisis, ensure healthy pets through education, advocacy, and affordable services, and inspire a community where the animal-human bond is celebrated and nurtured.
- Income
- $7.9 million
- Spending
- $9.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 163
- Volunteers
- 1,600
- Highest pay
- $241,874, employee
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 2526 of 26 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, 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 (2)
- $4.0 million spent. Lifesaving Operations-In the current year, Animal Friends rescued 1,523 animals through transport and admissions and provided superior veterinary care, behavioral training, and shelter while finding loving homes for 1,458 homeless animals. Our live release rate was 95%. Contributions associated with this activity were $314,551.
- $3.8 million spent. Friends for Life -Provide the resources to those in need to enable them to keep their pets in their homes where they belong. In the current year, we provided 3,599 spay/neuter surgeries, bringing the total to over 179,000 surgeries since the program inception. We also provided 15,794 low-cost vaccines, 4,488 wellness appointments, and 204,098 pounds of free pet food. Without these free and subsidized services, many families struggling financially could not have afforded to provide this level of care to their companion animals and many may have faced the very difficult decision of relinquishment. This program also nurtures and promotes the animal-human bond by offering an array of programs that provide humane education, therapeutic support, and a helping hand to those in our community who are struggling. This year, we engaged 4,661 young animal lovers with summer camps, classes, events and other offerings for youth, facilitated 102,762 interactions with the healing power of our Therapets teams, and served 3,619 veterans and active military members through specialized adoptions and other supportive services, and provided training to 4,981 on humane and positive reinforcement techniques. Contributions associated with these activities were $419,153.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1959.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.