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Friends of the Animal Shelter Inc

EIN 27-0609272 · Aiken, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOTAS mission is to support the Aiken County Animal Shelter by promoting animal welfare responsible pet ownership and the elimination of euthanasia of all adoptable animals.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$312,405
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
2
Volunteers
200

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 72% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 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 (3)
  1. $166,175 spent. Transfers: FOTAS arranges transfers to other no-kill shelters for numerous dogs and cats unable to secure homes locally. The program involves a vast volunteer network that socializes pets to appeal to potential adopters and fosters them until they are ready for transfer. This initiative significantly boosts the Aiken County Animal Shelters live release rate. Over the past 8 years including 2025 every adoptable animal at the shelter has been rescued. In 2025 FOTAS coordinated 98 transports and covered transport costs for 1,115 pets.
  2. $79,754 spent. Shelter and Community Needs: FOTAS supports the county shelter by providing heartworm medicine to save dogs previously euthanized due to lack of medical care flea medicines toys leashes pet food supplements and other supplies. Additionally FOTAS covers medical expenses for severely ill or injured animals brought to the shelter annually. This past year the shelter has received many more animals than in previous years that have needed lab work and tests due to lack of poor care. FOTAS has funded all the lab work for these animals in need received each month. This year FOTAS flew in two Dogs Playing for Life professionals from the Renown National Dogs Playing for Life team. FOTAS paid for the three days of training for the shelter staff for its Dogs Playing for Life Programs- properly managed play groups for dogs to help with their socialization and adoptability. FOTAS has engaged technical services to update multiple websites with pictures and information on adoptable animals and current pet-related content daily. For the community FOTAS offers humane runners dog houses and pet food to county residents in need. When necessary FOTAS finances Trap Neuter Return surgeries for community cats at local veterinary clinics as well as for pets in need of vet care. FOTAS also conducts educational outreach in Aiken County for youth through interactive programs like dog reading sessions and workshops at the shelter and local schools. The goal is to cultivate compassion and responsibility towards animals raising awareness of animal welfare in the community.
  3. $3,712 spent. Shelter Building: FOTAS provided funds for the needed kennel system in the Shelters puppy isolation room allowing puppies to have free range in a secure housing. FOTAS funded the needed equipment for the new play yard.

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 August 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.