Hope Animal Rescue
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF STRAY AND ABANDONED PETS IN NORTH CAROLINA. WE PROMOTE COMPASSIONATE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF ALL ANIMALS, REGARDLESS OF BREED OR SPECIES. WE RESCUE THOSE UNLIKELY TO GET OUT OF THE SHELTER SYSTEM ALIVE, AND HAVE A HEART FOR SENIOR DOGS AND THOSE WITH MEDICAL NEEDS. WE ARE AN ALL-VOLUNTEER RESCUE, AND ALL FUNDING GOES BACK TO BENEFIT THE ANIMALS.
- Income
- $376,228
- Spending
- $303,895
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 8.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 150
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
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
6 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)
- $275,438 spent. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN FEBRUARY 2013, HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE HAS RESCUED MORE THAN 5,000 AT-RISK DOGS, RESULTING IN 4,937 SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS. AS A DOG-ONLY RESCUE, THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO SAVING VULNERABLE DOGS AND PLACING THEM INTO SAFE, PERMANENT HOMES.HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE VETERINARY CARE FOR ALL DOGS IN ITS PROGRAM. THIS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, HEARTWORM TREATMENT, CARDIAC CARE AND SURGERY, DENTAL PROCEDURES, TUMOR REMOVAL, MATERNITY CARE, VACCINATIONS, SPAY/NEUTER, PREVENTATIVES, AND ONGOING TREATMENT FOR BOTH ACUTE AND CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SUPPORTS DOGS WITH BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES BY PROVIDING TRAINING THAT USES HUMANE, EVIDENCE-BASED METHODS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND ADOPTABILITY.IN ADDITION TO ITS RESCUE EFFORTS, HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE OPERATES A PET ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES AND OUT OF SHELTERS. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS PET OWNERS WITH ACCESS TO SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES, VETERINARY CARE, PET FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND REHOMING SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED.HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE REMAINS DEDICATED TO ITS MISSION OF GIVING DOGS A SECOND CHANCE THROUGH RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND RESPONSIBLE PLACEMENT, WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING PET OWNERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ANIMAL WELFARE OVERALL.
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 August 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.