Lake Humane Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSION: TO PROTECT ANIMALS AND BUILD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PETS AND PEOPLE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION. VISION: LEADING AND GUIDING A HUMANE LAKE COUNTY CORE VALUES: COMPASSION FOR PETS AND PEOPLE. ENGAGEMENT THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, PARTNERSHIPS AND ADOPTIONS. PROTECTION FOR THE VOICELESS ANIMALS THAT NEED HELP. EDUCATION TO BUILD SAFE AND INFORMED COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE AND PETS FAMILY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADOPTERS, VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYEES, DONORS AND ANIMALS
- Income
- $1.8 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 64%
- Reserves
- 14.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 32
- Volunteers
- 557
- Highest pay
- $115,016, executive di
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
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND PET ADOPTION: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES A GENTLE AND CARING HAVEN FOR HOMELESS, ABANDONED, AND INJURED ANIMALS OF LAKE COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES ANNUALLY. NOT ONLY DOES LHS PROVIDE CARE FOR CATS AND DOGS, BUT THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CARES FOR, DEFENDS, REHABILITATES, AND REHOMES RABBITS, CHICKENS, POCKET PETS, AND OTHER DOMESTIC ANIMALS. SPECIAL CARE IS USED WITH THE ANIMALS THAT ARE SEIZED FROM THEIR OWNERS AND LACK THE SOCIAL SKILLS AND TRAINING TO FEEL COMFORTABLE IN A NEW HOME. TIME IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR OUR COMPASSION AND KINDNESS FOR THESE FRAGILE ANIMALS. LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY PRIDES ITSELF ON GIVING ANIMALS THE TIME AND ATTENTION THEY NEED TO BE ADOPTED.
- OUTREACH & EDUCATION: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY STRIVES TO SERVE AS AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE TO THEIR COMMUNITY BY ASSISTING PET OWNERS AND THEIR PETS. LHS EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY ON THE PROPER TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND PROVIDES LOW-COST VACCINE CLINICS FOR ADOPTERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. LHS OFFERS ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE TO PET OWNERS IN ORDER TO KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES.
- SHELTER MEDICINE: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY RUNS AN ON-SITE CLINIC TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT TO PETS IN OUR COLLECTION. EACH ANIMAL RECEIVED CARE FROM OUR ON-SITE ANIMAL CARE CLINIC WHICH PROVIDES PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL CARE AND EMERGENT TREATMENT TO PETS RELINQUISHED BY OUT COUNTY RESIDENTS. LHS GAVE VACCINES TO THE PETS IN OUR CARE TO PROMOTE SAFELY AND DISEASE PREVENTION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY; OUR VETERINARIANS PROVIDED SURGERY ON ANIMALS INCLUDING SPAY/NEUTER FOR ALL CATS, DOGS AND RABBITS TO CONTROL PET OVERPOPULATION AND MICROCHIPS FOR ADOPTABLE PETS TO ENSURE THEY ARE RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILY IF EVER LOST. IN ADDITION TO THIS "STANDARD" MEDICAL CARE, LHS ALSO HELPS PETS IN NEED OF MEDICAL TREATMENT, SURGERIES, AND MEDICATION. EACH ANIMAL IS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT IS PERSONALIZED TO SUIT THEIR CONDITION AND STAGE IN LIFE. TO ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY LHS ALSO OFFERS AND AFTER HOURS HOTLINE TO HELP GOOD SAMARITANS AND OUR LOCAL POLICE WHO HAVE FOUND ABANDONDED OR INJURED ANIMALS IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. SHELTER MEDICINE: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY RUNS AN ON-SITE CLINIC TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT TO PETS IN OUR COLLECTION. EACH ANIMAL RECEIVED CARE FROM OUR ON-SITE ANIMAL CARE CLINIC WHICH PROVIDES PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL CARE AND EMERGENT TREATMENT TO PETS RELINQUISHED BY OUT COUNTY RESIDENTS. LHS GAVE VACCINES TO THE PETS IN OUR CARE TO PROMOTE SAFELY AND DISEASE PREVENTION WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY; OUR VETERINARIANS PROVIDED SURGERY ON ANIMALS INCLUDING SPAY/NEUTER FOR ALL CATS, DOGS AND RABBITS TO CONTROL PET OVERPOPULATION AND MICROCHIPS FOR ADOPTABLE PETS TO ENSURE THEY ARE RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILY IF EVER LOST. IN ADDITION TO THIS "STANDARD" MEDICAL CARE, LHS ALSO HELPS PETS IN NEED OF MEDICAL TREATMENT, SURGERIES, AND MEDICATION. EACH ANIMAL IS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT IS PERSONALIZED TO SUIT THEIR CONDITION AND STAGE IN LIFE. TO ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY LHS ALSO OFFERS AND AFTER HOURS HOTLINE TO HELP GOOD SAMARITANS AND OUR LOCAL POLICE WHO HAVE FOUND ABANDONDED OR INJURED ANIMALS IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
- $1.1 million spent. HUMANE INVESTIGATION: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES PROTECTION TO THE COMPANION ANIMALS OF LAKE COUNTY THROUGH THEIR HUMANE INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT. LHS EMPLOYS THE ONLY HUMANE AGENT IN THE COUNTY, WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE LAKE COUNTY PROBATE COURT. THE LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY INVESTIGATED REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE, NEGLECT AND CRUELTY. POST CONVICTIONS FOLLOW UP VISITS ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED IS FOLLOWING THE COURT'S MANDATE WHICH PREVENTS ANY FUTURE ANIMALS FROM BEING HARMED. ANIMAL'S WHICH SUFFER FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE SOME OF THE MOST FRAGILE ANIMALS WE RECIEVE. SPECIAL CARE IS USED WITH THE ANIMALS THAT ARE SEIZED FROM THEIR OWNERS, THESE PETS RESIDE AT THE SHELTER THE LONGEST AND NEED BOTH MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT PRIOR TO ADOPTION. MANY IMPOUNDED PETS HAVE CARE THAT EXCEED 2,000 PER ANIMAL. TIME IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR OUR COMPASSION AND KINDNESS FOR THESE FRAGILE ANIMALS. IMPOUNDED ANIMALS RECEIVE ALL OF THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO RECOVER FROM THEIR PREVIOUS ABUSE OR NEGLECT. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY RELIES ON DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP MAKE THE MISSION COME TO LIFE. WITH A LIMITED STAFF, THE ORGANIZATION TURNS TO VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH ANIMAL CARE, ENRICHMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, OFF-SITE EVENTS, CLERICAL DUTIES, AND MORE. THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AT LHS PROVIDES 250 ANIMAL LOVERS WHO DONATED THEIR TIME WITH THE REWARDING OPPORTUNITY TO HELP HOMELESS PETS IN NEED RIGHT HERE IN THEIR VERY OWN COMMUNITY. FOSTER FAMILIES OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR HOMES TO ANIMALS IN NEED OF PERSONALIZED CARE.
- LAKE HUMANE IS THE CONFLUENCE FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE WITHIN LAKE COUNTY OHIO. THE HUMAN BOND IS UNDENIABLE, LHS FOSTERS THESE CONNECTIONS BY SUPPORTING HOMELESS PETS IN NEED WHILE THEY ARE WAITING TO FIND THEIR PERSON OR FAMILY. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS HELP PLACE ANIMALS INTO LOVING HOMES MAKING SURE PET ADOPTERS ARE AWARE THAT LHS PROVIDES THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO HELP A NEW FOUR-LEGGED FAMILY MEMBER SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW HOME. LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES THE ONLY HUMANE AGENT IN THE COUNTY WHOSE DUTY IS TO ENFORCE LAWS RELATED TO THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS; SHE INVESTIGATES ALLEGATIONS OF ANIMAL ABUSE AND ENSURE PETS ARE WELL CARED FOR AND PROTECTED. HER ROLE KEEPS THE ANIMALS WITHOUT A VOICE SAFE WITH THE HELP OF GOOD SAMARITANS. EDUCATIONS PLAYS A LARGE ROLE IN HOW CHILDREN INTERACT AND RELATE TO PETS. SINCE THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND IS STRONG CHILDREN NEED TO LEARN HOW TO STAY SAFE WITH PETS THEY DO NOT KNOW. LHS PROVIDES FREE DOG BITE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND PET CARE PROGRAMS TO REINFORCE SAFE INTERACTIONS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ANNUALLY.
- HUMANE INVESTIGATION: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES PROTECTION TO THE COMPANION ANIMALS OF LAKE COUNTY THROUGH THEIR HUMANE INVESTIGATIONS DEPARTMENT. LHS EMPLOYS THE ONLY HUMANE AGENT IN THE COUNTY, WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE LAKE COUNTY PROBATE COURT. THE LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY INVESTIGATED REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ANIMAL ABUSE, NEGLECT AND CRUELTY. POST CONVICTIONS FOLLOW UP VISITS ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL CONVICTED IS FOLLOWING THE COURT'S MANDATE WHICH PREVENTS ANY FUTURE ANIMALS FROM BEING HARMED. ANIMAL'S WHICH SUFFER FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE SOME OF THE MOST FRAGILE ANIMALS WE RECIEVE. SPECIAL CARE IS USED WITH THE ANIMALS THAT ARE SEIZED FROM THEIR OWNERS, THESE PETS RESIDE AT THE SHELTER THE LONGEST AND NEED BOTH MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT PRIOR TO ADOPTION. MANY IMPOUNDED PETS HAVE CARE THAT EXCEED 2,000 PER ANIMAL. TIME IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR OUR COMPASSION AND KINDNESS FOR THESE FRAGILE ANIMALS. IMPOUNDED ANIMALS RECEIVE ALL OF THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO RECOVER FROM THEIR PREVIOUS ABUSE OR NEGLECT. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: LAKE HUMANE SOCIETY RELIES ON DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP MAKE THE MISSION COME TO LIFE. WITH A LIMITED STAFF, THE ORGANIZATION TURNS TO VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH ANIMAL CARE, ENRICHMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, OFF-SITE EVENTS, CLERICAL DUTIES, AND MORE. THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AT LHS PROVIDES 250 ANIMAL LOVERS WHO DONATED THEIR TIME WITH THE REWARDING OPPORTUNITY TO HELP HOMELESS PETS IN NEED RIGHT HERE IN THEIR VERY OWN COMMUNITY. FOSTER FAMILIES OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR HOMES TO ANIMALS IN NEED OF PERSONALIZED CARE.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.