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Humane Society of Indianapolis Inc

EIN 35-0876385 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IndyHumane's mission is to improve animal welfare in central Indiana. We are committed to ending the cycle of pet overpopulation, providing affordable pet ownership, and ensuring the well-being, health and safely of all animals in our care. We strive to promote the human animal bond and the powerful impact this mutually beneficial relationship has on individuals, families and the Indianapolis community.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$8.6 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
89
Volunteers
531
Highest pay
$170,374, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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

    16 of 16 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 (5)
  1. $5.4 million spent. Companion Animal Care: we provide shelter, veterinary care and adoption services to homeless dogs and cats; we operate an extensive foster program for pets needing extraordinary care due to age, health or behavior needs; we offer low cost vaccine clinics at 2 stationary locations. (Expenses $ 1,802,597 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) The Humane Society of Indianapolis partnered with Chewy.com to distribute pet food and supplies valued at over $2 million to shelters and rescues across thirty-seven Indiana counties and six states. (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) Modeling a Pet Resource Center after other successful Programs in other states, the Pet Resource Center will support keeping pets in the home and/or delaying intake for someone who may be releasing pets into our care until such time as it is reasonable to take the pets into custody. IndyHumane's Pet Resource Center will Provide judgment-free, empathetic, equitable support and solutions that include: 1) Access to free food through IndyHumane's Downtown Pantry 2) Access to free vaccines, Preventatives, and other medical care as needed 3) Financial support to assist with rental security deposits 4) Free pet supplies, crates, fencing, other pet equipment 5) Access to sites like ReHome and other self-rehoming pet sites 6) Collaboration and referrals to local partners like FIDO and IndyCARES that offer specialized solutions for Pet owners (fencing, expanded medical support, etc.) 7) Pet training and behavior resources
  2. Outreach/Education: targeting our efforts in 10 underserviced zip codes, we provide outreach via the Pet Awareness Wagon and our exceptional outreach staff. We are available to participate in school presentations, provide resources in our community at special events, and host a summer day camp for children and teens.
  3. Low Cost Spay/Neuter Surgery: targeting 10 zip codes in our city, IndyHumane offers low cost, high volume surgery to all pet owners. Our organization has helped lower intake at our municipal shelter by working with the neighborhoods where unwanted litters overwhelm pet owners. We offer special programming for community cats, TNR resources and a transport program for owners without the ability to access our clinic. (Expenses $ 1,802,597 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) The Humane Society of Indianapolis partnered with Chewy.com to distribute pet food and supplies valued at over $2 million to shelters and rescues across thirty-seven Indiana counties and six states. (Expenses $ 0 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) Modeling a Pet Resource Center after other successful Programs in other states, the Pet Resource Center will support keeping pets in the home and/or delaying intake for someone who may be releasing pets into our care until such time as it is reasonable to take the pets into custody. IndyHumane's Pet Resource Center will Provide judgment-free, empathetic, equitable support and solutions that include: 1) Access to free food through IndyHumane's Downtown Pantry 2) Access to free vaccines, Preventatives, and other medical care as needed 3) Financial support to assist with rental security deposits 4) Free pet supplies, crates, fencing, other pet equipment 5) Access to sites like ReHome and other self-rehoming pet sites 6) Collaboration and referrals to local partners like FIDO and IndyCARES that offer specialized solutions for Pet owners (fencing, expanded medical support, etc.) 7) Pet training and behavior resources
  4. $1.8 million spent. The Humane Society of Indianapolis partnered with Chewy.com to distribute pet food and supplies valued at over $2 million to shelters and rescues across thirty-seven Indiana counties and six states.
  5. Modeling a Pet Resource Center after other successful Programs in other states, the Pet Resource Center will support keeping pets in the home and/or delaying intake for someone who may be releasing pets into our care until such time as it is reasonable to take the pets into custody. IndyHumane's Pet Resource Center will Provide judgment-free, empathetic, equitable support and solutions that include: 1) Access to free food through IndyHumane's Downtown Pantry 2) Access to free vaccines, Preventatives, and other medical care as needed 3) Financial support to assist with rental security deposits 4) Free pet supplies, crates, fencing, other pet equipment 5) Access to sites like ReHome and other self-rehoming pet sites 6) Collaboration and referrals to local partners like FIDO and IndyCARES that offer specialized solutions for Pet owners (fencing, expanded medical support, etc.) 7) Pet training and behavior resources

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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 November 1941.

    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 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.