Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of a a Co Md in
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE SPCA SHALL BE TO SERVE AS THE LEADING PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITHIN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY WHICH EXISTS TO PROTECT ANIMALS FROM ACTS OF CRUELTY AND NEGLECT, TO PROMOTE HUMANE CARE AND CONCERN FOR ANIMALS BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND BY WORKING TO END PET OVERPOPULATION, TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND REHABILITATION TO ANIMALS IN NEED, AND TO WORK FOR THE PASSAGE AND ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS WHICH PROMOTE AND PROVIDE FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 18.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 350
- Highest pay
- $99,998, president/executive direct
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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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 (4)
- $1.6 million spent. OPERATION OF HUMANE SHELTER FOR UNWANTED ANIMALS: PROVIDE PET ADOPTION SERVICES; FEED AND HOUSE CATS, DOGS AND OTHER SMALL ANIMALS, PROVIDE EDUCATION SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC TO PROMOTE HUMANE TREATEMENT OF ANIMALS, INCLUDING REDUCING PET OVERPOPULATION THROUGH PROMOTING SPAYING AND NEUTERING.
- $274,903 spent. OPERATION OF SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC: PROVIDE AFFORDABLE VETERINARY CARE FOR ANIMALS ADOPTED FROM SHELTER.
- $87,707 spent. OPERATION OF VACCINATION CLINIC: PROVIDES AFFORDABLE VACCINATIONS FOR COMPANION ANIMALS IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE PREVENTATIVE VETERNIARY CARE AFFORDABLE TO THOSE WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
- OPERATION OF PAWS AT THE MALL: ADOPTION CENTER. GROSS REVENUE OF $79,099 NET OF COST OF GOODS SOLD OF $38,231, NET REVENUE $40,868.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (New York, NY), EIN 13-1623829. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.