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Animal Recovery Mission

EIN 30-0602348 · Port St Lucie, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BE AN UNCOMPROMISING DEFENDING FORCE FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS IN ADDITION TO PUTTING AN END TO, AND PREVENTING PAIN, SUFFERING AND TORTURE INFLICTED AS A RESULT OF INHUMANE PRACTICES.

Income
$2.9 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
23.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
20
Highest pay
$78,000, president &

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. ARM, AN INVESTIGATIVE ANIMAL DEFENSE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATES WITH VARIOUS LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES IN ORDER TO ERADICATE ILLEGAL AND BARBARIC TREATMENT OF ANIMALS TO ADVANCE ANIMAL WELFARE. SINCE ITS INCORPORATION IN 2010, ARM'S ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE LED TO: THE SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF OVER 525 STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS. THESE RESULTED IN THE CLOSURE OF 157 ILLEGAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER, SACRIFICE, AND FIGHTING OPERATIONS. 595 CONVICTIONS OF NOTORIOUS ANIMAL KILLERS, POSITIVE CHANGES WITH 2 STATE LAWS AND 5 COUNTY ORDINANCES. THE REHABILITATION AND LIFETIME QUALITY CARE TO OVER 300 ANIMALS THAT WERE TRANSPORTED TO ARM SANCTUARY IN FLORIDA. THESE VICTIMS WERE SEIZED FROM ANIMAL CRUELTY OPERATIONS CONDUCTED AND RAIDED BY ARM. 2019 HIGHLIGHT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1. AS A PART OF ITS FACTORY FARM DIVISION, ARM CONDUCTED A MAJOR FOUR-PART SERIES OF DAIRY FARM INVESTIGATIONS HEADLINED BY OPERATION FAIR OAKS FARM (F.O.F). THE THREE OTHER INVESTIGATIONS WERE; OPERATION FAIR-LIFE, OPERATION NATURAL PRAIRIE DAIRY, AND OPERATION STRAUSS VEAL FEEDS. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE LARGEST, AND MOST IMPACTFUL DAIRY INVESTIGATION EVER TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE UNITED STATES BY AN ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPOSING THE TRUTHS OF THE SYSTEMATIC ABUSE AND INHERENT CRUELTY ASSOCIATED WITHIN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TAKING THE DAIRY INVESTIGATIONS VIRAL AROUND THE WORLD, ARRESTS, INDUSTRY CHANGES, CIVIL ACTION LAWSUITS, AND PROTESTS QUICKLY FOLLOWED. 2. OPERATION STRAUSS VEAL WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CONNECTING THE VEAL AND DAIRY INDUSTRIES, AND HIGHLIGHTED THE EXPLOITATION AND CRUELTY ASSOCIATED WITH NEWBORN CALVES. THE INVESTIGATION'S RELEASE LED TO WORLDWIDE MEDIA AND PUBLIC OUTCRY DEMANDING ADVANCEMENTS IN ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS FOR CALVES AND DAIRY COWS. 3.OPERATION BLACK CLOUD. ARM OPERATIVES COLLECTED INCRIMINATING VIDEO FOOTAGE, INCLUDING THE DRAGGING, HANDLING, TRADING, STABBING, TORMENTING, HOISTING, AND BUTCHERING OF FARM ANIMALS. THE SLAUGHTERING OF ANIMALS WAS ON ALL OCCASIONS IN GROSS VIOLATION OF THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER ACT. 4. ARM CONTINUED TO CONDUCT ITS FRONTLINE INVESTIGATIONS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT ADDRESS; BLACK MARKET HORSE SLAUGHTER, ANIMAL SACRIFICE, ANIMAL FIGHTING, AND ILLEGAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER OPERATIONS. ARM, AN INVESTIGATIVE ANIMAL DEFENSE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATES WITH VARIOUS LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES IN ORDER TO ERADICATE ILLEGAL AND BARBARIC TREATMENT OF ANIMALS TO ADVANCE ANIMAL WELFARE. SINCE ITS INCORPORATION IN 2010, ARM'S ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE LED TO: THE SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF OVER 525 STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS. THESE RESULTED IN THE CLOSURE OF 157 ILLEGAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER, SACRIFICE, AND FIGHTING OPERATIONS. 595 CONVICTIONS OF NOTORIOUS ANIMAL KILLERS, POSITIVE CHANGES WITH 2 STATE LAWS AND 5 COUNTY ORDINANCES. THE REHABILITATION AND LIFETIME QUALITY CARE TO OVER 300 ANIMALS THAT WERE TRANSPORTED TO ARM SANCTUARY IN FLORIDA. THESE VICTIMS WERE SEIZED FROM ANIMAL CRUELTY OPERATIONS CONDUCTED AND RAIDED BY ARM. 2019 HIGHLIGHT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1. AS A PART OF ITS FACTORY FARM DIVISION, ARM CONDUCTED A MAJOR FOUR-PART SERIES OF DAIRY FARM INVESTIGATIONS HEADLINED BY OPERATION FAIR OAKS FARM (F.O.F). THE THREE OTHER INVESTIGATIONS WERE; OPERATION FAIR-LIFE, OPERATION NATURAL PRAIRIE DAIRY, AND OPERATION STRAUSS VEAL FEEDS. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE LARGEST, AND MOST IMPACTFUL DAIRY INVESTIGATION EVER TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE UNITED STATES BY AN ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPOSING THE TRUTHS OF THE SYSTEMATIC ABUSE AND INHERENT CRUELTY ASSOCIATED WITHIN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA TAKING THE DAIRY INVESTIGATIONS VIRAL AROUND THE WORLD, ARRESTS, INDUSTRY CHANGES, CIVIL ACTION LAWSUITS, AND PROTESTS QUICKLY FOLLOWED. 2. OPERATION STRAUSS VEAL WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CONNECTING THE VEAL AND DAIRY INDUSTRIES, AND HIGHLIGHTED THE EXPLOITATION AND CRUELTY ASSOCIATED WITH NEWBORN CALVES. THE INVESTIGATION'S RELEASE LED TO WORLDWIDE MEDIA AND PUBLIC OUTCRY DEMANDING ADVANCEMENTS IN ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS FOR CALVES AND DAIRY COWS. 3.OPERATION BLACK CLOUD. ARM OPERATIVES COLLECTED INCRIMINATING VIDEO FOOTAGE, INCLUDING THE DRAGGING, HANDLING, TRADING, STABBING, TORMENTING, HOISTING, AND BUTCHERING OF FARM ANIMALS. THE SLAUGHTERING OF ANIMALS WAS ON ALL OCCASIONS IN GROSS VIOLATION OF THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER ACT. 4. ARM CONTINUED TO CONDUCT ITS FRONTLINE INVESTIGATIONS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT ADDRESS; BLACK MARKET HORSE SLAUGHTER, ANIMAL SACRIFICE, ANIMAL FIGHTING, AND ILLEGAL ANIMAL SLAUGHTER OPERATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 May 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 November 4, 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.