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Pet Helpers Inc

EIN 57-0802283 · N Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO END EUTHANASIA FOR ALL ADOPTABLE CATS AND DOGS; PROVIDING LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES, OFFERING HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, PURSUING ANIMAL CRUELTY PROSECUTION AND INITIATING ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
73
Volunteers
1,764
Highest pay
$103,367, employee

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% 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 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. ADOPTION - INCLUDING RESCUE AND SHELTER:THE DOGS AND CATS THAT ENTER THE PET HELPERS SHELTER CAN BE STRAYS, TRANSFERS FROM OTHER SHELTERS, OR ANIMALS THAT HAVE TO BE SURRENDERED BECAUSE OF CHANGING FAMILY SITUATIONS WHERE THE ANIMALS CANNOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE CARE. INCREASINGLY, DOGS AND CATS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED TO PET HELPERS FROM OPEN ADMISSION SHELTERS THAT HAVE REACHED CAPACITY. IN THESE CASES, PET HELPERS DIRECTLY SAVES THE LIVES OF HEALTHY ANIMALS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE EUTHANIZED. PET HELPERS HAS OPERATED AS A NO KILL SHELTER SINCE IT WAS OPENED IN 1978.
  2. $176,806 spent. SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC:PET HELPERS' MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE TO ALL FAMILIES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY. THIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE THE COMPANION ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM. BESIDES THESE SERVICES TO THE GENERAL POPULATION, PET HELPERS AGGRESIVELY WORKS TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY OF SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES TO AREAS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY WITH HIGH RATES OF PET REPRODUCTION. PET HELPERS ALSO OFFERS A LOW COST VACCINE CLINIC THAT PROVIDES SOME PREVENTATIVE CARE SERVICES SUCH AS BRIEF GENERAL EXAMINATIONS, HEART WORM TESTING, FLEA CONTROL, MICROCHIPPING, NAIL TRIMS, ETC.
  3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH:LEVI'S LEGACY: PROVIDES SMALL GRANTS TO PET OWNERS WHO HAVE PETS FACING SUDDEN ILLNESS OR INJURY AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEEK VETERINARY CARE WITHOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT. FOOD BANK: PET HELPERS' FOOD BANK PROVIDES FOOD TO LOW AND FIXED-INCOME PET OWNERS AND THOSE FACING TEMPORARY FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, TO HELP KEEP PETS IN THEIR HOMES. TNR: PET HELPERS' TRAP-NEUTER-RELEASE (TNR) PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAP RENTALS, SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES, MICROCHIPPING AND VACCINATIONS TO HELP CONTROL THE OVERPOPULATION OF COMMUNITY (FERAL) CATS. LEVI'S LEGACY: PROVIDES SMALL GRANTS TO PET OWNERS WHO HAVE PETS FACING SUDDEN ILLNESS OR INJURY AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEEK VETERINARY CARE WITHOUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

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 October 13, 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 1986.

    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 October 21, 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.