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Tails Humane Society

EIN 36-4334785 · Dekalb, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TAILS HUMANE SOCIETY'S MISSION IS SAVING THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS THROUGH RESCUE, ADOPTION, AND SPAY/NEUTER; ADVOCATING FOR PETS IN OUR REGION.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
13.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
49
Volunteers
200

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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    12 of 13 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.

  • 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. $1.1 million spent. TAILS HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES HUMANE CARE AND TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR ORPHANED AND INJURED ANIMALS TOWARD THE GOAL OF PERMANENT PLACEMENT. TAILS PAYS VETERINARY BILLS FOR INJURED ANIMALS.
  2. $238,859 spent. TAILS HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES LOW COST SPAYING AND NEUTERING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
  3. $400 spent. TAILS HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES DOG TRAINING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ADOPTERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
  4. $110 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES THE HOMEBUDDIES PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VAC'S MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM, TO ENSURE THAT THE PETS BELONGING TO MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS RECEIVE APPROPRIATE FOOD, VETERINARY CARE, GROOMING FREE OF CHARGE. PET OWNERSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE HOMEBOUND AND ELDERLY. THE WORKING CATS PROGRAM OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO COSTLY AND UNSAFE PEST CONTROL METHODS BY ADOPTING ADULT FERAL CATS THAT WOULD TYPICALLY BE CONSIDERED UNADOPTABLE IN A SHELTER ENVIRONMENT TO BARN HOMES.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES THE HOMEBUDDIES PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VAC'S MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM, TO ENSURE THAT THE PETS BELONGING TO MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS RECEIVE APPROPRIATE FOOD, VETERINARY CARE, GROOMING FREE OF CHARGE. PET OWNERSHIP HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE HOMEBOUND AND ELDERLY. THE WORKING CATS PROGRAM OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE TO COSTLY AND UNSAFE PEST CONTROL METHODS BY ADOPTING ADULT FERAL CATS THAT WOULD TYPICALLY BE CONSIDERED UNADOPTABLE IN A SHELTER ENVIRONMENT TO BARN HOMES.

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 2024.

    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 March 2000.

    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.