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Erie Area Rabbit Society & Rescue E a R S Inc

EIN 46-4647610 · Erie, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ERIE AREA RABBIT SOCIETY (E.A.R.S.) IS AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE WELFARE OF DOMESTIC RABBITS. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE JOY OF RABBITS AS INDOOR PETS AND THEIR WELL-BEING. OUR SHELTER IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE PROPER CARE, INCLUDING MEDICAL CARE AND SPAY/NEUTER, WHILE THE RABBITS AWAIT ADOPTION.

Income
$207,705
Spending
$100,621
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
102 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
85

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 102.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $57,115 spent. ADOPTION SERVICES: 38 RABBITS WERE ADOPTED IN 2025. THERE WERE 78 RABBITS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CARE AT 12/31/25. ALL RABBITS ARE SPAYED/NEUTERED PRIOR TO ADOPTION AND VACCINATED AGAINST RHDV. THE RABBITS RECEIVE VETERINARY CARE AS MEDICAL NEEDS DICTATE. GENERALIZED CARE IS PROVIDED BY LOCAL VETERINARIANS, WHILE SPECIALIZED CARE REQUIRES TRAVELLING TO OUT-OF- STATE EXOTIC VETERINARIANS. WE ALSO PROVIDE BUNNY SITTING SERVICES AS SPACE ALLOWS AND ROUTINE SPA DAYS ARE SCHEDULED TO BRUSH AND TRIM NAILS OF ADOPTED RABBITS. ONGOING PUBLIC OUTREACH INCLUDES TRIPS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, SENIOR CENTERS, REHABILITATION CENTERS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE PROPER CARE OF RABBITS.
  2. $10,651 spent. DAILY CARE OF SHELTER RABBITS: THE SHELTER RABBITS' DIET IS COMPRISED OF HAY AND PELLETS. UNLIMITED AMOUNTS OF HIGH-QUALITY LOCAL AND SOURCED TIMOTHY HAY, ORCHARD GRASS, AND ALFALFA HAY ARE FED DAILY. PELLETS ARE TOP-QUALITY AND TIMOTHY-HAY BASED. FRESH WATER IS PROVIDED 24/7 WITH BOTTLED WATER GIVEN TO THOSE RABBITS WITH SPECIFIC MEDICAL NEEDS. LEAFY GREENS AND HERBS ARE PROVIDED 4-5 TIMES PER WEEK. FRESH APPLE BRANCHES ARE FED TO HELP WITH TEETH. NAILS ARE TRIMMED AND RABBITS ARE BRUSHED AS NEEDED. THE RABBITS GET FREQUENT EXERCISE TIME IN THE GAZEBO AND ENRICHMENT TOYS ARE PROVIDED.
  3. $28,151 spent. LIVING ENVIRONMENT: THE SHELTER RABBITS ARE HOUSED IN L/XL SIZE DOG CRATES AND EXERCISE PENS. THEIR LIVING AREAS ARE CLEANED DAILY. THE SHELTER'S FLOORS AND WALLS ARE CLEANED WITH DISINFECTANT. A HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM PROVIDES PROPER TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY IN EACH OF THE SHELTER BUILDINGS. A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IS IN PLACE FOR THE AIR EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND THE EMERGENCY GENERATOR. THE SHELTER'S SECURITY SYSTEM IS MONITORED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE RABBITS AND THE VOLUNTEERS.
  4. RESCUE, CARE & ADOPTION OF DOMESTIC RABBITS.
  5. RESCUE, CARE & ADOPTION OF DOMESTIC RABBITS.

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

  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 2014.

    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.