Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FRIENDS ARE DEDICATED TO THE RESCUE, PROTECTION, AND ADOPTION OF COMPANION ANIMALS IN NEED WHILE INSPIRING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. WE MEET OUR MISSION BY:-SAVING 100% OF HEALTHY AND TREATABLE ANIMALS.-PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY ANIMAL CARE AND ADOPTION SERVICES.-DELIVERING INNOVATIVE OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE EDUCATION.-PROMOTING ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION.-EMBRACING ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH EARTH-FRIENDLY PRACTICES AND FACILITIES.
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $2.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 73
- Volunteers
- 348
- Highest pay
- $118,092, president and ceo
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 2515 of 16 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 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)
- $2.2 million spent. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, WE PROVIDE EVERY HOMELESS ANIMAL WITH THE COMPASSIONATE CARE, MEDICAL SUPPORT, AND REHABILITATION THEY NEED TO HEAL AND THRIVE. ONCE THEY ARE READY, WE WORK TO PLACE THEM IN LOVING, PERMANENT HOMES WHERE THEY CAN TRULY BELONG. AT THE SAME TIME, WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO REUNITE LOST PETS WITH THEIR FAMILIES, BRINGING JOY AND RELIEF TO BOTH PETS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM.INTAKE WAS 2,482 (758 DOGS, 1,643 CATS, 81 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, AND WILDLIFE) THE LIVE RELEASE RATE FOR 2024 WAS 94%, AND ALL CATS AND DOGS COME WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE VACCINES, ARE SPAYED OR NEUTERED, AND ARE MICROCHIPPED. PEOPLE WHO VISITED THE SHELTER IN 2024 TOTALED 8,094AT FRIENDS FOR ANIMALS, OUR MISSION GOES BEYOND CARING FOR THE THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS THAT COME THROUGH OUR DOORS EACH YEAR AND ENSURING THAT EVERY ADOPTABLE PET FINDS A LOVING HOME. WE ARE EQUALLY DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS THAT CELEBRATE THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND AND EXTEND OUR IMPACT INTO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.OUR PROGRAMS REFLECT THIS COMMITMENT. FOR ANIMALS IN NEED, WE PROVIDE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES, MICROCHIPPING, VACCINE CLINICS, AND BEHAVIOR AND ENRICHMENT SUPPORT. FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS, WE OFFER INITIATIVES LIKE FEED FIDO, COMMUNITY VACCINE CLINICS, READ TO ROVER, AND SO MUCH MORE. TOGETHER, THESE SERVICES NOT ONLY KEEP PETS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES, HELPING US MOVE CLOSER TO A FUTURE WITH FEWER HOMELESS ANIMALS.
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 November 6, 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 October 2000.
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 November 4, 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.