Paws and Claws Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PAWS & CLAWS MISSION IS TO: PROMOTE AND PROVIDE HUMANE PROTECTION AND SHELTER FOR ABANDONED OR LOST COMPANION ANIMALS; SEEK ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR COMPANION ANIMALS UNDER OUR PROTECTIVE CARE; PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION REGARDING THE SOCIETAL PROBLEM OF ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION; PROMOTE THE PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE COMPANION ANIMAL CARE; AND, ADVOCATE THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ALL COMPANION ANIMALS. PAWS & CLAWS DOES NOT EUTHANIZE EXCEPT ON THE ADVICE OF A VETERINARIAN IN THE CASE OF CRITICAL INJURY, TERMINAL ILLNESS, DEBILITATING PAIN, OR SEVERE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN WHICH THE ANIMAL IS A DANGER TO THEMSELVES, OTHER ANIMALS OR HUMANS. PAWS & CLAWS WILL BE THE ANIMAL SHELTER OF CHOICE IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA BY BEING THE ACKNOWLEDGED LEADER IN THE RESCUE AND CARE OF ABANDONED ANIMALS; ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF COMPANION ANIMALS; PROVIDING HEALTH AND ANIMAL CARE EDUCATION; PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY; AND PROVIDING EASE OF ACCESS.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 43.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 29
- Volunteers
- 400
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 July 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 (2)
- $1.3 million spent. PAWS AND CLAWS PROVIDES FOOD, SHELTER AND VETERINARIAN CARE FOR LOST, ABANDONED, AND UNWANTED ANIMALS IN OLMSTED COUNTY AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. SERVICES INCLUDE ADOPTION PLACEMENT FOR MATCHING LOST AND FOUND ANIMALS, INCLUDING A SERVICE FOR OWNERS TO FIND NEW HOMES FOR ANIMALS THEY CAN NO LONGER MAINTAIN. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 2025, 933 CATS AND 833 DOGS WERE ADOPTED. THE SHELTER OPERATES AT CAPACITY WITH AN AVERAGE OF 240 ANIMALS IN OUR CARE EACH MONTH.
- $7,879 spent. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION IS PROVIDED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, MONTHLY ADOPTION BOOTHS AT LOCAL BUSINESSES, PRESENTATIONS AT SCHOOLS, WEEKLY PUBLIC INFORMATION SEGMENT ON LOCAL TV, GIVING TOURS AT OUR SHELTER TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, AND AT FUND-RAISING EVENTS WHICH ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. EDUCATIONAL PACKETS AND HANDOUTS ARE PROVIDED TO ADOPTERS AND THE PUBLIC. A COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE NEUTER/SPAY PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 February 1978.
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.
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