A New Leash on Life
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
1. WE INCREASE THE LIVE RELEASE RATE OF HOMELESS PETS IN NORTH ALABAMA SHELTERS BY:A. RESCUING THOUSANDS OF PETS EACH YEARB. REHABILITATING THEM AND PAYING FOR SPAY/NEUTER AND ALL OTHER VETTING THEY NEEDC. HOUSING THEM IN A FOSTER HOME OR ONE OF OUR THREE LIFESAVING CENTERSD. CARING FOR THEM AND MEETING THEIR NEEDS WHILE IN OUR CAREE. MARKETING THEM VIA OUR WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ADOPTION EVENTSF. HOLDING OFF-SITE ADOPTION EVENTS EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAYG. ADOPTION COUNSELING POTENTIAL ADOPTERS TO MAKE SURE OF A GOOD FIT; WE WANT THEIR NEXT HOME TO BE THEIR FOREVER HOME SO THEY ARE NEVER HOMELESS AGAIN2. SPAYING/NEUTERING OF LOW INCOME FAMILIES' PETS3. EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON HUMANE ANIMAL CARE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAY/NEUTER4. OPERATE THREE LIFESAVING CENTERS WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN COME VOLUNTEER, FOSTER, OR ADOPT.5. OPERATE THREE THRIFT BOUTIQUES TO RAISE MONEY FOR HOMELESS PET VET BILLS AND LOW-INCOME SPAY/NEUTER6. RESCUE ALL TYPES OF ANIMALS
- Income
- $2.8 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 28.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 84%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 400
- Highest pay
- $75,000, director
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 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $1.2 million spent. A NEW LEASH ON LIFE HAS A UNIQUE FOSTER AND ADOPTION PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS PETS. THESE DOGS AND CATS COME FROM KILL SHELTERS AROUND NORTH ALABAMA. EACH DOG AND CAT IS PROVIDED WITH A LOVING TEMPORARY PLACE TO STAY EITHER IN A FOSTER HOME OR IN ONE OF OUR THREE LIFESAVING CENTERS, REGULAR VETERINARY CARE (SPAY/NEUTER, MICROCHIP, TESTING, VACCINATIONS, DEWORMING, ETC.), OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENTS, SURGERIES, OR DRUGS THEY NEED FOR THEIR PARTICULAR INJURIES OR AILMENTS, AND AS MUCH TIME AS THEY NEED TO RECUPERATE AND FIND A FOREVER HOME. ALL OF OUR FOSTER HOMES AND LIFESAVING CENTERS ARE A PLACE OF COMFORT AND LOVE. IN OUR LIFESAVING CENTERS, DOGS ARE HOUSED IN COMMUNITY ROOMS WITH SOFT BEDS AND DOGGIE DOORS LEADING TO LARGE FENCED YARDS. CATS LIVE IN COMMUNITY ROOMS WITH TOYS, CAT TREES, BEDS, AND LOTS OF HIDEOUTS. THE LIFESAVING CENTER PETS ARE FED AND CARED FOR BY VOLUNTEERS AND THEY GET DAILY ENRICHMENT.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.