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Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service

EIN 27-0575124 · Kamuela, HI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESCUE AND RELOCATE ABUSED, ABANDONED AND STRAY DOMESTIC ANIMALS,TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR THEM THROUGH KARES' FOSTER CARE NETWORK AND TO FACILITATE ADOPTIONS INTO CARING AND PERMANENT HOMES. KARES SEEKS TO REDUCE OVER POPULATION BY PROVIDING FREE AND AFFORDABLE SPAY/NEUTER PROCEDURES TO COMPANION ANIMALS. KARES ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH PETS BY ASSISTING WITH FOOD AND VETERINARY CARE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PETS REMAIN IN THE FAMILY AND ARE NOT SURRENDERED FOR ADOPTION.

Income
$264,736
Spending
$278,455
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. $269,405 spent. KARES FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND TO PREVENT ANIMAL CRUELTY. KARES RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE CAUSES OF ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION AND ADVOCATES ALTERNATIVE HUMANE SOLUTIONS FOR POPULATION CONTROL INCLUDING SPAY AND NEUTER.KARES MAKES POSSIBLE AFFORDABLE OR FREE SPAY/NEUTER PROCEDURES FOR COMPANION ANIMALS THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND OF HAWAII. KARES CONDUCTS REGULAR PET ADOPTION SESSIONS TO PROMOTE ADOPTION OF RESCUED ANIMALS.KARES' EFFORTS SERVE AS A MODEL FOR ACHIEVABLE ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS FOR ALL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. KARES WAS RECOGNIZED AS A TOP SHELTER IN THE US BY MUTTS ACROSS AMERICA.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2010.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.