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Fosters & Paws

EIN 46-0552423 · Rio Linda, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO RESCUE AND REHABILITATE VULNERABLE ANIMALS FROM SHELTERS, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE CARE AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN A FOREVER HOME. WE BELIEVE EVERY DOG DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPINESS AND ARE COMMITTED TO FINDING LOVING FAMILIES FOR EACH OF THE ANIMALS IN OUR CARE. THROUGH OUR RESCUE EFFORTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, WE AIM TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND THE IMPACT IT HAS ON THE LIVES OF ANIMALS. WE STRIVE TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF BOTH ANIMALS AND PEOPLE, CREATING A MORE COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANE COMMUNITY FOR ALL.

Income
$348,916
Spending
$336,759
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$60,000, pres/exec di

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 26% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $336,759 spent. AT FOSTERS & PAWS RESCUE, OUR VISION IS A WORLD WHERE ALL ANIMALS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS. WE'RE DEDICATED TO SAVING ANIMALS AND HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED. OUR MISSION, THROUGH RESCUE EFFORTS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCACY WORK, IS TO CREATE A MORE COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANE SOCIETY. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE SHELTERS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY BECAUSE ALL ANIMALS HAVE RESPONSIBLE AND CARING OWNERS, AND WHERE ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT ARE A THING OF THE PAST. TOGETHER, WE WORK TOWARDS A WORLD WHERE EVERY ANIMAL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIVES IN LOVING HOMES. IN THE CURRENT YEAR WE SAVED OVER 500 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

  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 July 2013.

    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.