Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Inner Pup

EIN 47-1728816 · New Orleans, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE INNER PUP IS A SAFETY NET FOR LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS, PROVIDING HEARTWORM HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO HELP RELIEVE UNNECESSARY SUFFERING AND HELP PETS STAY WITH THE FAMILIES WHO LOVE THEM AND OUT OF OUR OVERCROWDED SHELTERS. WE BRIDGE THE GAP FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD RETAIL CARE SO NO ONE HAS TO GIVE UP THEIR PET DUE TO FINANCIAL BARRIERS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
4
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$76,000, president

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 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 79% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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)
  1. $988,865 spent. OUR COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME PET OWNERS INCLUDE MONTHLY POP-UP HEARTWORM CLINICS; INCLUDING HEARTWORM TESTING, TREATMENT, PREVENTION AND FLEA PREVENTION. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL VETERINARIANS TO OFFER VETERINARY ASSISTANCE. OUR DOG TRAINING VOUCHERS ARE DESIGNED TO LOWER THE INCIDENCE OF SHELTER SURRENDERS DUE TO BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS. OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT INCLUDES FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND EDUCATION. AND, OUR HEARTWORM ZERO AFFILIATE PROGRAM OFFERS FREE CONSULTING TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WHO WISH TO ADAPT SEGMENTS OF OUR PROGRAMS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES NEEDS. WE HOST FOCUS GROUPS AND A SPECIAL SERVICE INITIATIVE IN THE HOLLYGROVE NEIGHBORHOOD. LASTLY, WE ARE WORKING ON A STUDY THAT WILL REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO HEARTWORM TREATMENT, NATION-WIDE. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ALL DESIGNED TO FOSTER A STRONGER BOND BETWEEN PETS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TO BUILD TRUST AND BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, TO END THE PLIGHT OF ANIMAL WELFARE.

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 November 6, 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 December 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 November 4, 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.