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Wayside Waifs Inc

EIN 44-0605374 · Kansas City, MO

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

WAYSIDE PREPARES PETS AND PEOPLE FOR THE BOND OF THEIR LIVES BY PROTECTING AND CARING FOR THE PETS UNDER OUR WATCH; BY COLLABORATING WITH AND SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY; AND BY ADVOCATING FOR AND SHARING THE PROFOUND JOY THAT PETS BRING TO OUR LIVES.

Income
$10.3 million
Spending
$8.7 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
35.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
122
Volunteers
1,701
Highest pay
$172,725, president

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, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $6.7 million spent. AS KANSAS CITY'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE NO KILL PET ADOPTION CAMPUS, WAYSIDE WAIFS IS COMMITTED TO FINDING HOMES FOR ALL ADOPTABLE PETS. WE SERVE MORE THAN 38,000 PETS AND PEOPLE EVERY YEAR THROUGH PET ADOPTIONS, PET MEMORIAL AFTERCARE, YOUTH EDUCATION, CANINE TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. WE DO NOT EUTHANIZE ADOPTABLE ANIMALS, AND THERE ARE NO TIME LIMITS FOR ANIMALS IN OUR CARE. ONLY ANIMALS SUFFERING FROM SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL ISSUES OR THOSE THAT POSE A DANGER ARE HUMANELY EUTHANIZED. WE ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF KANSAS CITY'S NO KILL COMMUNITY. WAYSIDE IS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) CHARITY WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL REACH. IN 2024, WE SERVED 38,056 PETS AND PEOPLE.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)PET ADOPTION PROGRAM: WAYSIDE FOUND LOVING HOMES FOR 3,727 HOMELESS ANIMALS. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR SHELTER ANIMALS WAS 20 DAYS. A COMPLETE CIRCLE OF CARE WAS PROVIDED TO ALL HOMELESS PETS BASED ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, INCLUDING SERVICES LIKE: FOSTER CARE, VETERINARY CARE, LIFE-SAVING SURGERY AND DIAGNOSTICS, TRAINING, SPECIALIZED BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, AND ENRICHMENT.COMMUNITY OUTREACH: 4,139 PETS AND PEOPLE WERE SERVED THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDED LOW-COST VACCINE DRIVE-THRU EVENTS, FREE SPAY/NEUTER EVENTS, FREE FOOD AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE PET FOOD PANTRY, FREE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR SUPPORT, AND TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE FOR COMMUNITY CATS.EDUCATION PROGRAM: 10,640 YOUTH WERE REACHED THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THIS INCLUDED NO MORE BULLYING VIOLENCE PREVENTION CURRICULUM, KIDS IN ACTION, CAMP WAYSIDE, DOG SAFETY CLASSES, AMONG OTHERS. THE NO MORE BULLYING PROGRAM WAS NAMED THE 2023 EDUCATOR'S CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST YOUTH HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAM BY THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL HUMANE EDUCATORS.ADDITIONAL 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: 3,707 SURGERIES PERFORMED 110 DOGS RECEIVED CARE AT THE CANINE BEHAVIOR CENTER 190 ANIMALS REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES 94% LIVE RELEASE RATE 1,276 ANIMALS FOSTERED 762 FAMILIES SERVED THROUGH PET MEMORIAL SERVICES 38 VET STUDENTS COMPLETED THE WAYSIDE VET PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM

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 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 September 1953.

    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.