Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Happy Tails Happy Homes

EIN 27-5325873 · Bellingham, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HAPPY TAILS HAPPY HOMES IS A NONPROFIT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROTECTING AND SERVING THE WELL-BEING OF ANIMALS AND FOSTERING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. WE ARE AN AT-HOME FOSTER PROGRAM-NO SHELTERS, NO OFFICES, AND NO PAID STAFF. ALL OF THE MONEY DONATED GOES DIRECTLY TO OUR ANIMALS. WE SPECIALIZE IN SAVING THE UNDERDOGS, THOSE WITH MEDICAL OR BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES THAT NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND A SECOND CHANCE.

Income
$175,860
Spending
$154,486
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%

Source: Form 990EZ 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 75% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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. $145,574 spent. THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCED ITS MISSION OF RESCUING AND REHOMING HOMELESS DOGS THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ADOPTION PROGRAM. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED 30 ADOPTION-FOCUSED EVENTS, INCLUDING RECURRING PARTNERSHIPS WITH PAWS FOR A BEER AND PETSMART, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY EVENTS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS. ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES INCLUDED TRIVIA NIGHTS, PUPPY YOGA EVENTS, A VALENTINE'S CELEBRATION, PARTICIPATION IN A MARDI GRAS PARADE, THE PUPPY BOWL, RACE FOR THE UNDERDOGS 5K, DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, THE WHATCOM COUNTY HOME SHOW, A HOLIDAY AUCTION, AND PICTURES WITH SANTA. THESE EVENTS INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ANIMAL WELFARE, CONNECTED PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS WITH RESCUE DOGS, STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND GENERATED CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR RESCUE OPERATIONS. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, 247 DOGS WERE PLACED INTO LOVING PERMANENT HOMES DURING THE YEAR.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.