Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
RESCUE AND PLACEMENT OF GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS AND GERMAN SHEPHERD MIX BREEDS.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $825,583
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 15.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 110
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, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 112% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (1)
- $789,712 spent. Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue takes in homeless German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes with the goal of finding their forever homes. Dogs rescued by the organization were abandoned, abused, neglected, they are either relinquished by their owners, or left at the local shelters to await an uncertain future. Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue educates the public about German Shepherds, their lifespan, personality, and activity along with overall responsible dog ownership. The organization also raises awareness of the overpopulation of animals through education, training, spaying, neutering.Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue is also dedicated to providing a sanctuary to dogs with more complicated behavioral and mental health issues that are easily corrected through proper rehabilitation therapy and medical attention. The organization provides a permanent residence, and a place of refuge and safety, for these dogs in a home-like environment until such time that the right home comes along. Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue has been able to acquire our own kennel facility. A place that mimics as close to a home environment as possible. Our facility is open 365 days a year, Each dog that comes to Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue gets individual care, from our Kennel Team and equally as important from their Family of volunteers. Each dog at our facility has their own favorite group of people that they spend time every single day of the year, rain or shine, our very dedicated volunteer base will be at our door step ready and able excited to spend much quality time with the rescue dogsOur care begins with medical needs, each dog that arrives need immediate medical attention, their medical needs ranges from intestinal parasitic issues, to the dog flu, kennel cough, a broken leg, open wounds, starvation, a weakened state and so much more. The first meal they have is a home cooked chicken and rice recipe which helps calm the stomach down.Our home-like environment brings a sense of safety and calmness for our rescue dogs, it also brings excitement and joy every single day of every month when our very dedicated volunteer base group shows up each morning with a smile and are very ready to take each dog out for a full morning love, play and pure joy. And each of our dogs are all waiting . . . their expressions of tail wags, a toy in their mouth, big smiles and lets not forget the vocalizing their excitement. One of our core competencies that we are very proud of is that we know every single dog that is under our care, may it be the type of ball they like, the right squeaky toy, their quirks, what they enjoy the most, who loves to swim, which ones are not a fan of swimming and so much more. Knowing each and everyone of our dogs at the level that we do helps us find the best matched home for them.Every dog that is adopted from CK9, we are committed to, from the day they walk into our rescue, until their last breath. This has been a promise thats never been broken. Their families know that we will always be present, especially during difficult times.During the year, the Organization received $1,012,371 from COASTAL GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE OF ORANGE COUNTY (OC). These funds originated from a prior contribution of approximately $1.5 million made to OC for the purpose of purchasing or constructing a property to support animal care operations. After several years, OCs Board determined that it was unable to successfully execute the intended project and approved the transfer of a portion of the remaining funds to the Organization.The transferred funds are designated to support the construction and development of facilities and infrastructure necessary for the care, housing, rehabilitation, and long-term support of dogs served by the Organization. In connection with this transition, OC also transferred six long-term difficult-to-place dogs to the Organization. These dogs had been under OCs care for approximately ten years and now receive ongoing care and support through the Organizations programs.
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
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 December 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 2013.
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.
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.