Westport Animal Shelter Advocates
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our organization is dedicated to the care and welfare of homeless dogs in Fairfield County. Our primary focus is attending to the needs of impounded dogs at Westport Animal Control in Westport Connecticut including providing funds for their veterinary care and training. On a daily basis we assist Westport animal control officers with feeding and exercising the impounded dogs. Prior to any adoptions we perform home and reference checks to ensure that the dogs most of whom have suffered some level of neglect and or abuse are safely placed in loving homes. We also provide assistance to Fairfield County residents who are struggling to feed and to provide needed veterinary care for their pets.
- Income
- $130,567
- Spending
- $90,813
- Reserves
- 14.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $68,242 spent. Providing veterinary care for impounded Westport Animal Control dogs and local residents. Approximate number of dogs helped during the course of the year is 45. The monies allocated to the shelter for veterinary care by the town of Westport is insufficient relative to the necessary vetting for these often neglected and abused dogs many of whom are abandoned within Westport town lines from residents in nearby towns and cities.
- $10,021 spent. Providing food and supplies for impounded Westport Animal Control dogs and for dogs in our foster network of homes who care for dogs from other parts of Fairfield County outside of Westport town lines. The Westport shelter only takes in strays and seized dogs from within the town lines.
- $7,688 spent. Training for impounded Westport Animal Control dogs who without training would not be adoptable.
- Traveling to local schools to share information about the town shelter and our organization. Our president visits several elementary schools each year to make a presentation usually accompanied by a dog from one of our foster homes.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 2024.
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 November 2009.
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.