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Lovebugs Rescue

EIN 27-1698561 · Corona Dl Mar, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LOVEBUGS RESCUE IS A FOSTER-BASED ANIMAL RESCUE LOCATED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. WE BEGAN OUR MISSION IN OCTOBER 2010 AND FOCUS ON RESCUING DOGS FROM HIGH KILL SHELTERS AND NEGLECT. WE RESCUE ALL BREEDS AND ALL AGES. WE PROVIDE ALL MEDICAL AND THEY ARE PLACED IN A LOVING FOSTER HOME UNTIL THEY FIND THEIR FOREVER HOME.

Income
$275,190
Spending
$304,712
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $274,497 spent. OUR MAIN PROGRAM SERVICE IS TO RESCUE ANIMALS FROM THE SHELTER, PROVIDE MEDICAL TREATMENT, GROOMING, TEMPERMENT TESTING, SPAY/NEUTER, MICROCHIP, AND UPDATE ON VACCINES AS REQUIRED BY LAW. THESE ANIMALS ARE FOSTERED IN VARIOUS HOMES THROUGHOUT ORANGE COUNTY, CA. WHEN THESE ANIMALS ARE READY TO TRANSITION TO A FOREVER HOME, WE PHOTOGRAPH AND LIST THESE ANIMALS UP FOR ADOPTION. THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THE PUBLIC WILL APPLY TO ADOPT A SPECIFIC ANIMAL. AFTER WE SCREEN POTENTIAL APPLICANTS, IF WE HAVE A MATCH FOR AN ANIMAL, WE PROVIDE AN IN-HOME TRANSITION, INITIATE AN ADOPTION CONTRACT, AND COLLECT AN ADOPTION FEE.
  2. LOVEBUGS RESCUE HAS A DESIGNATED FOSTER HOME FOR PARVO PUPPIES TO BE QUARANTINED WHILE THEY ARE IN RECOVERY. IF A PARVO INFECTED PUPPY IS NOT PICKED UP BY A RESCUE, THE SHELTER WILL EUTHANIZE THEM DUE TO THE CONTAGIOUS NATURE OF THE PARVO VIRUS. PARVO DOGS ARE TYPICALLY UNDERAGED PUPPIES WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR DHP VACCINATION, WHICH SHOULD BEGIN AT 8 WEEKS OLD. PARVO IS EXPENSIVE TO TREAT, HOWEVER WE BELIEVE THE DOGS IN OUR PROGRAM DESERVE A CHANCE TO LIVE. IF TREATED EARLY ENOUGH, PARVO HAS A HIGH RECOVERY RATE.
  3. $23,745 spent. WE ARE COMMITED TO THE SPAY & NEUTER OF ALL ANIMALS IN OUR CARE AND HAVE ALSO EXTENDED THOSE SERVICES THROUGH OUR SPAY & NEUTER VOUCHER PROGRAM AS WELL AS VARIOUS SPAY & NEUTER CLINICS.THIS PROGRAM WILL SUBSIDIZE THE EXPENSIVE VET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SPAY & NEUTER PROCEDURES FOR ADOPTERS AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. OUR PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES A REGISTERED MICROCHIP FOR EACH PET FREE OF CHARGE. ACCIDENTAL LITTERS ARE ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS OUR LOCAL SHELTERS ARE SO OVERCROWDED. OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION TO REDUCE THESE NUMBERS.
  4. $6,470 spent. OTHER EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING THE RESCUE SUCH AS REGISTRATION FEES, PRINTING, AND OFFICE EXPENSES.
  5. OTHER EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH OPERATING THE RESCUE SUCH AS REGISTRATION FEES, PRINTING, AND OFFICE EXPENSES.

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 July 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.