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Dane County Humane Society

EIN 39-0806335 · Madison, WI

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

OUR MISSION IS TO FOSTER COMPASSIONATE HUMAN AND ANIMAL CONNECTIONS; FORGE SAFE, HEALTHY, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES FOR ANIMALS; PROVIDE CARE AND TRANSITIONAL SHELTERING TO ANIMALS; PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE TO THE ANIMAL SHELTERING COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC.

Income
$31.8 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
15.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
193
Volunteers
1,256
Highest pay
$161,260, executive director

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, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 301% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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, 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 (5)
  1. $2.7 million spent. DCHS'S ANIMAL SERVICES INCLUDE OPEN-ADMISSION ANIMAL INTAKE, CUSTOMER SERVICE, DAILY CARE, AND BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT OF ANIMALS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, SPAY/NEUTER AND OTHER SURGICAL SERVICES, HUMANE EUTHANASIA, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE SHELTERING ANIMALS OF ABUSE VICTIMS (SAAV) PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, DCHS WORKED WITH MADISON AND DANE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES TO ENSURE IT PROPERLY FULFILLS THE SERVICES OUTLINED IN ITS CONTRACTS WITH THESE MUNICIPALITIES. IN 2025, MEDICAL STAFF AND VOLUNTEER VETERINARIANS PERFORMED 3,998 SURGERIES.
  2. $785,987 spent. DCHS'S WILDLIFE CENTER IS A SPECIALIZED PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WILDLIFE THROUGH REHABILITATION, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. LICENSED REHABILITATORS CARE FOR SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED WILD ANIMALS FOUND IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN YEAR-ROUND. IN 2025, DCHS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HELPED 3,158 WILD ANIMALS OF 154 DIFFERENT SPECIES, INCLUDING SONGBIRDS, MAMMALS, RAPTORS, WATERFOWL, REPTILES, AND AMPHIBIANS.
  3. $718,794 spent. DCHS'S ADOPTION AND RECEPTION SERVICES INCLUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ANIMAL ADOPTIONS AT DCHS'S MAIN LOCATION AND DCHS'S THRIFT STORES. THE MAIN ADOPTION CENTER ALSO OFFERS PET SUPPLIES AND VARIOUS DCHS BRANDED MERCHANDISE FOR SALE TO INDIVIDUALS ADOPTING ANIMALS AS WELL AS TO OTHER PATRONS. IN 2025, 3,302 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED. DCHS'S 2025 ANIMAL SAVE RATE WAS 91%.
  4. $534,008 spent. DCHS'S HUMANE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SERVICES INCLUDE YOUTH AND ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS SUCH AS CAMP PAWPRINT, CAMP WILDSIDE, SCOUT BADGE WORKSHOPS, SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, SHELTER TOURS, EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND DOG TRAINING CLASSES. OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE PETS FOR LIFE, COMMUNITY CAT DAYS AND COMMUNITY DOG DAYS, AND A PET FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM, FOCUSED ON CLOSING THE SERVICE GAPS FOR PETS IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS AND KEEPING EXISTING HUMAN-ANIMAL BONDS INTACT.
  5. $171,374 spent. DCHS'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM INCLUDES RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, SUPERVISION, AND RETENTION OF DCHS'S VOLUNTEERS. IN 2025, 1,256 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 111,684 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO DCHS.

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

  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 February 1965.

    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.