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Wolf Trap Animal Rescue

EIN 47-5126237 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WOLF TRAP ANIMAL RESCUE IS A NORTHERN VIRGINIA BASED ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP/FOSTER PROGRAM DEVELOPED OR THE CORINTH-ALCORN ANIMAL SHELTER IN CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI. THE WOLF TRAP ANIMAL RESCUE SERVES AS A FOSTER PROGRAM FOR THE ANIMALS IN MISSISSIPPI TO HELP RESCUE THEM FROM SITUATIONS THAT ARE NOT MANAGEABLE IN A SHELTER SETTING. ONCE RESCUED, ANIMALS ARE THEN TRANSPORTED BY VOLUNTEERS OF WOLF TRAP ANIMAL RESCUE FROM MISSISSIPPI TO VIRGINIA, WHERE PETS WILL RESIDE IN FOSTER HOMES UNTIL THEY FIND THEIR FOREVER HOME THROUGH ON-SITE ADOPTION EVENTS PROVIDED BY PETSMART CHARITIES AND PETCO. WOLF TRAP ANIMAL RESCUE ASSISTS IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS OF PUPPY OR KITTENS IN MCLEAN, ALEXANDRIA, ARLINGTON, FALLS CHURCH, TYSONS CORNER, VIENNA, VA OR WASHINGTON DC AREAS.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
11.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
13
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$152,845, director of veterinary operations

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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% 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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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, 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. $1.3 million spent. WOLF TRAP ANIMAL RESCUE HAS CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS TO RESCUE ANIMALS FROM THE RURAL SOUTH AND FIND THEM HOMES WITH LOVING FAMILIES. IN 2024 WE RESCUED AND ADOPTED OUT OVER 1,000 DOGS AND OVER 700 CATS. WITH A TOTAL OF OVER 14,000 LIVES SAVED SINCE OUR FOUNDING OF THE RESCUE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR TRANSPORT PROGRAM AND NOW INCLUDE RESCUE PARTNERS IN VIRGINIA, MISSISSIPPI, TENNESSEE & TEXAS. WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND OUR CONNECTIONS LOCALLY WITH OUR PUPPY THERAPY PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE EVENTS WITH MUSIC ARTISTS AT LOCAL VENUES, AS WELL AS LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.