Dekalb Humane Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A SAFE SHELTER FOR ANIMALS UNTIL THEY CAN BE ADOPTED INTO A LIFELONG HOME. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS IN ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES, WORKS WITH ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT BASIC PET NEEDS, ANIMAL CARE AND SAFETY. THE ORGANIZATION EXISTS TO PROVIDE ANIMAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES PRIMARILY IN DEKALB COUNTY, INDIANA. THESE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES INCLUDE ANIMAL ACQUISITION, EVALUATION, VETERINARY CARE, FOSTERING AND HOUSING, REHAB AND TRAINING, AND ADOPTION INTO AN APPROPRIATE HOME OR SETTING. ADOPTION INCLUDES SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ADOPTERS AND FOLLOW-UP EVALUATIONS OF PLACEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF, AND RESPOND TO, ANIMAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING RESPONSIBLE ANIMAL OWNERSHIP AND ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $340,111
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 51.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $41,096, shelter dire
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 51.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 63% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 2025, 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)
- $182,346 spent. THE ORGANIZATION TOOK IN 841 ANIMALS DURING THE YEAR. THERE WERE 614 COMPLETED ADOPTIONS FOR AN ADOPTION RATE OF 73%. 43 ANIMALS WERE EUTHANIZED. THE REMAINDER OF THE ANIMALS WERE RECLAIMED BY THEIR OWNERS OR WENT INTO FOSTER CARE WHERE THEY ARE THEN ADOPTED OUT. 799 ANIMALS WERE SPAYED OR NEUTERED BY THE SHELTER PRIOR TO ADOPTION.
- $47,807 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A LOST AND FOUND CENTER THAT REQUIRES ENTENSIVE MAN-HOURS TO FOLLOW-UP ON REPORTS OF MISSING ANIMALS WITH PHONE CALL OF FOUND ANIMALS. IT IS THE DESIRE OF THE SHELTER TO RETURN THE LOST ANIMAL TO THEIR PROPER OWNER OR ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING THEIR MISSING ANIMAL.
- $61,566 spent. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH LOCAL CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN FOR ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND/OR NEGLECTED BY THEIR OWNERS. THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON AN ON CALL BASIS TO PICK UP THE ANIMAL. IT IS THE INTENT WHEN PICKING UP THE ANIMALS TO RESTORE THEM TO A HEALTHY LIFE AND POTENTIALLY HAVE THEM ADOPTED INTO A BETTER ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY WILL RECEIVE THE PROPER CARE AND ATTENTION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 March 1976.
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.