National Mill Dog Rescue
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 9.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 66
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $118,192
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 7 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 (6)
- $918,642 spent. DAILY CARE AND SHORT- AND LONG-TERM REHABILITATION. OUR RESCUED DOGS ARE EXERCISED, FED, BATHED AND GROOMED AND THE KENNEL IS KEPT EXTRAORDINARILY CLEAN ON A DAILY BASIS. OUR DOGS RECEIVE DAILY ATTENTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM DOZENS OF VOLUNTEERS. EVERY DOG'S PROGRESS IS DOCUMENTED, APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT ARE READY TO MOVE ON TO ADOPTIVE HOMES IN UNDER 8-12 WEEKS IN SOME CASES OUR DOGS ARE ADOPTED AS QUICKLY AS 1-2 WEEKS AFTER THEY ARRIVE AT OUR FACILITY. ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF OUR DOGS SUFFER DEEPER PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES FROM THEIR YEARS IN BREEDING FACILITIES. NURTURING THEM OFTEN TAKES MANY MONTHS. WE HAVE A STRUCTURED REHABILITATION PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES INITIAL EVALUATION, ASSIGNMENT OF REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS TO DOGS IN THE PROGRAM AND INDIVIDUALIZED CARE PLANS THAT INCLUDE REASONABLE GOALS AND DOCUMENTING PROGRESS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ONLY REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS HANDLE DOGS IN THE PROGRAM TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE. SOME DOGS NEED WEEKS BEFORE THEY WILL APPROACH AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND OR PERMIT A GENTLE TOUCH. OUR TEAM PERSISTS, ALLOWING OUR DOGS THE TIME NEEDED TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH HUMAN INTERACTION. WE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THESE DOGS AND OUR EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATING THEM UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO GO TO A LOVING HOME.
- $907,212 spent. OUR VETERINARY CARE PROGRAM INCURS OUR HIGHEST EXPENSE AND IS AN AREA OF PRIDE FOR THE ORGANIZATION. Our outstanding in-house team consists of a Medical Director and two staff Veterinarians. Together they provide full time care for the dogs five days per week and on weekends as needed. BECAUSE OF THE HORRIFIC CONDITIONS OFTEN SEEN IN THE DOGS WE RESCUE, OUR VETERINARY TEAM MEMBERS ARE EXPERT IN INTRICATE AND EXTENSIVE SURGICAL AND DENTAL PROCEDURES. THEY TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF OUR DOGS WITH A FOCUS ON PAIN MANAGEMENT AND PREPARING DOGS FOR ADOPTION. EVERY DOG WE TAKE IN IS VACCINATED, HEARTWORM TESTED, SPAYED/NEUTERED, MICROCHIPPED AND DEWORMED. OTHER CONDITIONS DEALT WITH FREQUENTLY INCLUDE: PYOMETRA, INJURED AND INFECTED EYES, EARS SCARRED FROM PROLONGED UNTREATED INFECTIONS, PARASITE INFESTATION, LEG AND FOOT DEFORMITIES, BLINDNESS, DEAFNESS, HERNIAS, MAMMARY TUMORS, OTHER CANCERS, DECAYED AND INFECTED TEETH AND SEVERE GUM DISEASE. WE ALSO WORK WITH SPECIALISTS FOR TREATMENT OF THE MOST SEVERELY ILL AND INJURED DOGS OR THOSE WITH CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE SPECIALIZED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES.
- $495,114 spent. Our nonprofit dog rescue operates a kennel facility where we provide shelter, care, and rehabilitation for dogs in need. Our dedicated staff ensures that each dog receives the necessary medical attention, socialization, and training to prepare them for adoption into loving homes. We have two locations located in CO and newly established facility in MO.
- $259,245 spent. Outreach and Education involves spreading awareness about animal rescue and providing information about the NMDR mission. The goal is to facilitate successful dog adoptions and educating the public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breading industry. NMDR has a dedicated team available to participate in community events, offsite outreach gatherings and shelter events and tours.
- $219,210 spent. Our rescue program is dedicated to rescuing dogs from commercial breeding facilities and providing safe transport back to our facilities. We work tirelessly to rescue dogs from high-risk situations and provide them with proper medical care, socialization, and training. With your support, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of these deserving animals. Team members recieve special training to complete this part of our mission.
- $175,530 spent. OUR ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. THESE PROGRAMS ARE MANAGED BY PAID STAFF, INCLUDING A MANAGER OF ADOPTION PROGRAMS, FOSTER CARE COORDINATOR AND ADOPTIONS COUNSELOR. AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE HAD 46 FOSTER CAREGIVERS REGISTERED. EACH CAREGIVER IS THOROUGHLY TRAINED AND CONSTANTLY SUPPORTED. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR A DOG IN FOSTER CARE IS 197 DAYS. THESE DOGS MAY BE HIGHLY FEARFUL AND REQUIRE TIME TO ADJUST TO NORMAL LIVES OR MAY NEED TIME FOR RECOVERY FROM SURGERY OR OTHER VETERINARY PROCEDURES BEFORE BEING MADE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION. NMDR PAYS ALL EXPENSES. POTENTIAL ADOPTERS OF OUR DOGS ARE CAREFULLY SCREENED THROUGH A THOROUGH ONLINE APPLICATION THAT INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT LIFESTYLE, EXPECTATIONS, HOME ENVIRONMENT PETS PAST AND PRESENT, FAMILY MEMBERS AND MORE. THIS FIRST STEP HELPS US DETERMINE HOW LIKELY IT IS THAT AN APPLICANT COULD PROVID AN APPROPRIATE HOME FOR A PUPPY MILL SURVIVOR. POTENTIAL ADOPTERS ARE SENT A VIDEO THAT INCLUDES DESCRIPTIONS OF BEHAVIORS THAT ARE COMMON AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT IN OUR POPULATION OF DOGS. APPLICANTS PARTICIPATE IN A PHONE INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS OF FENCED YARDS AND GATES ARE REQUESTED. IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE THEY ARE APPROVED TO ADOPT AND INVITED TO SCHEDULE A MEET AND GREET AT OUR RESCUE FACILITY. OVERCOMING THE BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES OF SOME PUPPY MILL SURVIVORS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE, WHICH IS WHY OUR INTENSIVE ADOPTION PROCESS IS NECESSARY. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT THROUGH OUR VERY BEST EFFORTS, WE ARE SELECTING ONLY THE FINEST PERMANENT HOMES FOR OUR DOGS.
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 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 October 2007.
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.