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Southern Paws Inc

EIN 47-1916812 · Ringwood, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE NEEDED HOMES FOR DOGS FROM THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES AND IMPROVE SHELTER LIFE IN THE SOUTH. THROUGH ITS ADOPTION PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION IS ABLE TO LINK RESCUE DOGS IN NEED OF LOVING AND APPROVED HOMES WITH THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. IN ADDITION, THE RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED WITH THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT RESCUE GROUPS USED DURING THE ADOPTION PROCESS ENABLE THE ORGANIZATION TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE SOUTHERN SHELTERS ARE IN NEED OF.

Income
$190,639
Spending
$216,542
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$12,000, executive director

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $137,766 spent. ADOPTION PROGRAM - TO PROVIDE NEEDED HOMES FOR DOGS FROM THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES AND IMPROVE SHELTER LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
  2. $12,448 spent. TRAINING SERVICES - AT OUR CUTTING EDGE DOG TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTER, WE ARE DEDICATED TO SHAPING WELL-ROUNDED COMPANIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES AND A DEEP UNDERESTANDING OF CANINE BEHAVIOR. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS BUILD STRONG, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH EFFECTIVE AND POSITIVE TRAINING TECHNIQUES. WITH THE HELP OF OUR EXPERT TRAINERS, WE CAN ACCOMPANY YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY OF LEARNING, GROWTH AND TAIL WAGGING FUN WITH YOUR PUP.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2017.

    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 2024.

    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 August 2018.

    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.