Lawrence Humane Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY NURTURES THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND BY PROVIDING SHELTER, CARE AND ADVOCACY FOR HOMELESS AND ABUSED ANIMALS, AS WELL AS RESOURCE FOR THE PETS AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 18.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 52%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 652
- Highest pay
- $113,993, executive di
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (3)
- $2.1 million spent. SHELTER OPERATIONS: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY ACCEPTS AND PROVIDES TEMPORARY CARE FOR STRAY ANIMALS FOUND WITHIN THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KS AND DOUGLAS COUNTY; ANIMALS SEIZED BY ANIMAL CONTROL; PETS RELINQUISHED BY THEIR OWNERS; AND ANIMALS TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES LACKING TIME, SPACE, AND RESOURCES TO FIND POSITIVE PLACEMENT FOR THEIR ANIMALS. DURING THEIR STAY, ANIMALS RECEIVE DAILY ESSENTIAL FEEDING AND CLEANING, AND EXERCISE AND ENRICHMENT. OF THE 3,816 ANIMALS HOUSED AT THE SHELTER IN 2024, 561 ANIMALS WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS, 2,962 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED TO NEW HOMES, AND 25 ANIMALS WERE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER AGENCIES FOR PLACEMENT. LAWRENCE HUMANE ACHIEVED AN OVERALL LIVE RELEASE RATE OF 95% FOR 2024 MEANING THAT 95% OF ANIMALS WHO ENTERED LAWRENCE HUMANE HAD A POSITIVE OUTCOME. ANIMALS ARE NEVER EUTHANIZED FOR SPACE OR LENGTH OF TIME IN THE SHELTER, AND ONLY DOES SO WHEN IT IS ABSOLUTELY MEDICALLY OR BEHAVIORALLY NECESSARY. IN 2024, THE ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FIELD SERVICES TO THE UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY. OUR TEAM OF TWO ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICERS (ASOS) RESPOND TO ANIMAL-RELATED CALLS PREVIOUSLY HANDLED BY THE DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING CALLS FOR ANIMALS-AT-LARGE, ANIMAL ATTACKS, NUISANCE ANIMALS, STRAY ANIMALS CONFINED, ILL OR INJURED ANIMALS, AND ANIMAL WELFARE CHECKS. ASOS ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON CRUELTY CASES AND VICIOUS ANIMAL CASES THAT REQUIRE AFFIDAVIT TO DISTRICT COURT. LAWRENCE HUMANE ASOS LEAD WITH A SUPPORT-BASED APPROACH AND SEEK TO FIND NON- PUNITIVE APPROACHES TO ENFORCEMENT WHENEVER APPROPRIATE BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, RESOURCES AND FOLLOW-UP. SHELTER OPERATIONS: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY ACCEPTS AND PROVIDES TEMPORARY CARE FOR STRAY ANIMALS FOUND WITHIN THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KS AND DOUGLAS COUNTY; ANIMALS SEIZED BY ANIMAL CONTROL; PETS RELINQUISHED BY THEIR OWNERS; AND ANIMALS TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES LACKING TIME, SPACE, AND RESOURCES TO FIND POSITIVE PLACEMENT FOR THEIR ANIMALS. DURING THEIR STAY, ANIMALS RECEIVE DAILY ESSENTIAL FEEDING AND CLEANING, AND EXERCISE AND ENRICHMENT. OF THE 3,816 ANIMALS HOUSED AT THE SHELTER IN 2024, 561 ANIMALS WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS, 2,962 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED TO NEW HOMES, AND 25 ANIMALS WERE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER AGENCIES FOR PLACEMENT. LAWRENCE HUMANE ACHIEVED AN OVERALL LIVE RELEASE RATE OF 95% FOR 2024 MEANING THAT 95% OF ANIMALS WHO ENTERED LAWRENCE HUMANE HAD A POSITIVE OUTCOME. ANIMALS ARE NEVER EUTHANIZED FOR SPACE OR LENGTH OF TIME IN THE SHELTER, AND ONLY DOES SO WHEN IT IS ABSOLUTELY MEDICALLY OR BEHAVIORALLY NECESSARY. IN 2024, THE ANIMAL SERVICES DIVISION OF THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FIELD SERVICES TO THE UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY. OUR TEAM OF TWO ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICERS (ASOS) RESPOND TO ANIMAL-RELATED CALLS PREVIOUSLY HANDLED BY THE DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING CALLS FOR ANIMALS-AT-LARGE, ANIMAL ATTACKS, NUISANCE ANIMALS, STRAY ANIMALS CONFINED, ILL OR INJURED ANIMALS, AND ANIMAL WELFARE CHECKS. ASOS ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON CRUELTY CASES AND VICIOUS ANIMAL CASES THAT REQUIRE AFFIDAVIT TO DISTRICT COURT. LAWRENCE HUMANE ASOS LEAD WITH A SUPPORT-BASED APPROACH AND SEEK TO FIND NON- PUNITIVE APPROACHES TO ENFORCEMENT WHENEVER APPROPRIATE BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, RESOURCES AND FOLLOW-UP.
- $300,307 spent. VETERINARY CARE: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY EMPLOYS A VETERINARY TEAM TO EVALUATE AND TREAT ANIMALS IN OUR CARE, AS WELL AS READY ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION. IN 2024, THE LAWRENCE HUMANE VETERINARY TEAM PERFORMED 2,087 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES ON SHELTER ANIMALS TO READY THEM FOR ADOPTION. THE VETERINARY TEAM ALSO COMPLETED 219 SPECIALTY SURGERIES ON SHELTER ANIMALS SUCH AS DENTALS, AMPUTATIONS, MASS REMOVALS, WOUND REPAIR, ETC. ADDITIONALLY, THE VETERINARY TEAM PERFORMED 1,508 LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES FOR PUBLICLY OWNED PETS, ALONG WITH 171 SPECIALTY SURGERIES AND DENTALS, AND 123 OWNER-REQUESTED EUTHANASIA PROCEDURES FOR SENIOR, ILL, AND INJURED PETS. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE CONTINUED TO OFFER MONTHLY LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINICS FOR PUBLICLY OWNED PETS. IN TOTAL IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE HOSTED 17 LOW-COST AND SUBSIDIZED PET VACCINE CLINICS, SERVING 732 ANIMALS FROM 418 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS. VETERINARY CARE: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY EMPLOYS A VETERINARY TEAM TO EVALUATE AND TREAT ANIMALS IN OUR CARE, AS WELL AS READY ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION. IN 2024, THE LAWRENCE HUMANE VETERINARY TEAM PERFORMED 2,087 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES ON SHELTER ANIMALS TO READY THEM FOR ADOPTION. THE VETERINARY TEAM ALSO COMPLETED 219 SPECIALTY SURGERIES ON SHELTER ANIMALS SUCH AS DENTALS, AMPUTATIONS, MASS REMOVALS, WOUND REPAIR, ETC. ADDITIONALLY, THE VETERINARY TEAM PERFORMED 1,508 LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES FOR PUBLICLY OWNED PETS, ALONG WITH 171 SPECIALTY SURGERIES AND DENTALS, AND 123 OWNER-REQUESTED EUTHANASIA PROCEDURES FOR SENIOR, ILL, AND INJURED PETS. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE CONTINUED TO OFFER MONTHLY LOW-COST PET VACCINE CLINICS FOR PUBLICLY OWNED PETS. IN TOTAL IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE HOSTED 17 LOW-COST AND SUBSIDIZED PET VACCINE CLINICS, SERVING 732 ANIMALS FROM 418 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS.
- $8,088 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS MADE ENORMOUS STRIDES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN MORE HOLISTIC WAYS OUTSIDE OF JUST BEING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE GO TO EITHER SURRENDER OR ADOPT ANIMALS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE FUTURE OF ANIMAL SHELTERING IS THE WORK THAT HAPPENS IN - AND FOR - A COMMUNITY AND WE ACTIVELY PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO SERVE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE RECEIVED 954 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUR CRISIS PET RETENTION (CPR) FUND, WHICH ASSISTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH PET DEPOSITS/PET RENT; ESSENTIAL PET SUPPLIES (PET FOOD, LITTER, CRATES, ETC.); BASIC, ESSENTIAL VETERINARY CARE (SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINES, MICROCHIPS, ETC.); EMERGENCY AND SPECIALTY VETERINARY CARE; BEHAVIOR CONSULTING; AND TEMPORARY BOARDING FOR PETS WHOSE OWNERS ARE IN CRISIS, ALL IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER THROUGH POVERTY, JOB LOSS, LOSS OF HOUSING, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES. IN TOTAL, 961 ANIMALS FROM 651 INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS WERE TREATED AT LAWRENCE HUMANE FOR ESSENTIAL, PREVENTATIVE CARE (SPAYS/NEUTERS, VACCINES, MICROCHIPS, FLEA/TICK TREATMENT, DENTALS) FOR A TOTAL OF 67,241 IN CARE PROVIDED. FOURTEEN FAMILIES WHO COLLECTIVELY OWNED 20 PETS WERE ASSISTED WITH PET DEPOSITS, PET RENT, AND/OR PET FEES FOR A TOTAL OF 3,519. AND 83 ANIMALS UTILIZED TEMPORARY CRISIS BOARDING, 83% OF WHOM WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS. LAWRENCE HUMANE ALSO ACTS AS THE COMMUNITY'S PRIMARY PET FOOD PANTRY. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE DISTRIBUTED 105,630 LBS OF PET FOOD, ENSURING THAT PETS WERE NEVER SURRENDERED DUE TO A PET OWNER STRUGGLING TO AFFORD FOOD OR PET SUPPLIES COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE LAWRENCE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS MADE ENORMOUS STRIDES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN MORE HOLISTIC WAYS OUTSIDE OF JUST BEING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE GO TO EITHER SURRENDER OR ADOPT ANIMALS. WE BELIEVE THAT THE FUTURE OF ANIMAL SHELTERING IS THE WORK THAT HAPPENS IN - AND FOR - A COMMUNITY AND WE ACTIVELY PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO SERVE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE RECEIVED 954 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUR CRISIS PET RETENTION (CPR) FUND, WHICH ASSISTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH PET DEPOSITS/PET RENT; ESSENTIAL PET SUPPLIES (PET FOOD, LITTER, CRATES, ETC.); BASIC, ESSENTIAL VETERINARY CARE (SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINES, MICROCHIPS, ETC.); EMERGENCY AND SPECIALTY VETERINARY CARE; BEHAVIOR CONSULTING; AND TEMPORARY BOARDING FOR PETS WHOSE OWNERS ARE IN CRISIS, ALL IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE AND PETS TOGETHER THROUGH POVERTY, JOB LOSS, LOSS OF HOUSING, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES. IN TOTAL, 961 ANIMALS FROM 651 INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS WERE TREATED AT LAWRENCE HUMANE FOR ESSENTIAL, PREVENTATIVE CARE (SPAYS/NEUTERS, VACCINES, MICROCHIPS, FLEA/TICK TREATMENT, DENTALS) FOR A TOTAL OF 67,241 IN CARE PROVIDED. FOURTEEN FAMILIES WHO COLLECTIVELY OWNED 20 PETS WERE ASSISTED WITH PET DEPOSITS, PET RENT, AND/OR PET FEES FOR A TOTAL OF 3,519. AND 83 ANIMALS UTILIZED TEMPORARY CRISIS BOARDING, 83% OF WHOM WERE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS. LAWRENCE HUMANE ALSO ACTS AS THE COMMUNITY'S PRIMARY PET FOOD PANTRY. IN 2024, LAWRENCE HUMANE DISTRIBUTED 105,630 LBS OF PET FOOD, ENSURING THAT PETS WERE NEVER SURRENDERED DUE TO A PET OWNER STRUGGLING TO AFFORD FOOD OR PET SUPPLIES
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
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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 February 1955.
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 November 4, 2026.
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