Anti-Cruelty Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Anti-Cruelty is a private, nonprofit organization which was established in 1899 and is chartered in Illinois. Anti-Cruelty builds a healthy and happy community where pets and people thrive together.
- Income
- $14.0 million
- Spending
- $17.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 32.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 215
- Volunteers
- 441
- Highest pay
- $254,910, president (until 3/15/24)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 32.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
10 of 10Gave 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 October 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 (4)
- $5.3 million spent. Shelter Services: Founded in 1899, Anti-Cruelty is Chicago's oldest and largest, private, Open Door animal welfare organization. As an open admission facility we accept animals of all sizes, dispositions, and species, providing food, shelter, and care for animals in need; we rehome animals through transfer partners as well as through our same-day adoption program; we investigate reports of animal neglect, abuse, and injury through our humane investigations; we assist pet owners with behavior concerns and general pet care needs to prevent their relinquishment.
- $4.7 million spent. Veterinary and Clinic Services: Anti-Cruelty's veterinary services are a cornerstone of our organization. With a legacy dating back to the early 20th century, our skilled veterinarians and clinic staff provide comprehensive care for shelter and foster animals; operate a community care clinic to assist pet owners struggling to afford private veterinary care; offer low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for pets across the metropolitan region.
- $3.5 million spent. Community Programs: Anti-Cruelty is dedicated to supporting and uplifting the human-animal bond through pet owner support programs; we inspire future generations of animal welfare advocates through humane education, offering programs tailored for families, schools, corporations, non-profits, and businesses alike; we mobilize the community to become directly involved in our work, engaging volunteers who contribute to various initiatives within our shelters, clinic, and foster care programs.
- Auxiliary Services
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 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 September 1937.
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.