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Marleys Mutts Dog Rescue

EIN 30-0636031 · Tehachapi, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAKING A PAWSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES BY REHABILITATING SOULS AND CREATING SECOND CHANCES USING THE POWER OF THE HUMAN/CANINE BOND.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
51
Volunteers
542
Highest pay
$128,200, founder & director of pr

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. MIRACLE MUTTS THERAPY DOG PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. UTILIZING ALL BREEDS, THERAPY DOGS ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE AFFECTION, COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO PEOPLE IN HOSPITALS, LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITIES, RETIREMENT HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, UNDERSERVED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, HOSPICE OR HIGHT-STRESS AREAS, SERVING NEARLY 500 PEOPLE. THIS PROGRAM IS POWERED BY HUMAN VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS, MANY OF WHICH WERE MARLEY'S MUTTS RESCUES.
  2. $225,578 spent. PAWSITIVE CHANGE PRISON PROGRAM SERVED 2 CALIFORNIA STATE PRISONS. 35 DOGS WERE PAIRED WITH 59 INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS (STUDENT TRAINERS) USING DOG PSYCHOLOGY AND BASIC DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING. THE CANINE/HUMAN BONDGRADUATED WITH A PAWSITIVE CHANGE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION THAT PREPARED DOGS FOR ADOPTION WHILE PREPARING THE INCARCERATED TO BE EQUIPPED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE UPON RELEASE. NO REPORTS OF RECIDIVISM.
  3. $64,233 spent. MUTT MOVERS: DEDICATED TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE OVERCROWDING CRISIS IN KERN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS, MARLEY'S MUTTS IS ON A MISSION TO RESCUE, REHABILITATE, AND REHOME DOGS IN NEED. A PROGRAM CRITICAL TO SAVING DOGS AND TAKING THE BURDEN OFF OUR SHELTER PARTNERS IS OUR MUTT MOVERS PROGRAM. THIS RESCUE BY RELOCATION PROGRAM ALLOWS US TO TRANSPORT UP TO 500 DOGS PER YEAR TO AREAS WHERE THE DEMAND FOR ADOPTABLE DOGS IS HIGH.

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 October 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.