Better Days Animal League
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Better Days Animal League is a non-profit animal organization with an adoption center in Chambersburg, PA. Each year, many cats and kittens come to our rescue in hopes of finding their "forever" homes. We are committed to providing abused, abandoned and neglected cats the love and care they so rightly deserve until the day they are adopted. BDAL continues to serve our community without paid administrative staff. Due to the overwhelming need for low cost spay/neuter services in our area, BDAL has focused on providing transportation to available TNR clinics and sponsoring clinics with our local veterinary offices. Our intent is to help reduce cat overpopulation in our community by preventing as many unwanted litters as possible.
- Income
- $116,146
- Spending
- $72,672
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 114.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 41%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 25
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 114.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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.
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)
- $46,537 spent. Better Days Animal League is a non-profit animal rescue and sanctuary located in Chambersburg, PA. We offer veterinary care, love and support, food and shelter to adoptable and unadoptable animals. We do not euthanize animals for space. Since our inception in 2007, BDAL has taken more than 5,800 animals into our care and found loving homes for almost all of them. BDAL receives no direct government assistance and relies on donations and sponsorships from individuals and businesses. We also hold fund raising activities throughout the year. BDAL operates a thrift store in Chambersburg to supplement the expenses of operating the rescue. The store also serves as an adoption center. We are dedicated to the principle that all life must be treated with value, dignity and respect. Our wish is that one day all companion animals will be in loving homes and not living in shelters.
- $10,285 spent. Better Days assisted with spay and neuter of 363 cats in 2025 and since 2020, our Trap Neuter Return TNR Program has surpassed 2,800 cats. In 2025, we also found loving homes for 36 cats and kittens through our Adoption Program.
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 October 13, 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 January 2008.
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 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.