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Gulf Coast Humane Society Inc

EIN 59-0806978 · Fort Myers, FL

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

OUR MISSION AT GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY IS TO CARE FOR COMPANION PETS IN NEED BY OFFERING SAFE REFUGE, PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE AND FACILITATING ADOPTIONS.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
24.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
57
Volunteers
701
Highest pay
$192,865, vet

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 24.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 74% 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. ANIMAL SHELTER: IN 2025, 1,510 PETS WERE SURRENDERED TO THE SHELTER. 256 PETS WERE TAKEN IN AS STRAYS OR ABANDONED. 1,979 PETS WERE TRANSFERRED IN FROM OTHER SHELTERS. A TOTAL OF 3,774 PETS WERE SAVED BY THE GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR THESE HOMELESS ANIMALS, PLACING THESE PETS WITH RESPONSIBLE AND PREPARED PET OWNERS,SPAYING OR NEUTERING ALL ANIMALS PRIOR TO ADOPTION, PROVIDING PREVENTATIVE MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT OF ILLNESS AND INJURY AND MICROCHIPPING. IN 2025, A TOTAL OF 3,507 PETS WERE ADOPTED TO LOVING HOMES.
  2. $2.4 million spent. THE GULF COAST HUMANE SOCIETY CLINIC OFFERS AFFORDABLE FULL SERVICE VETERINARY CARE TO THE PUBLIC. IT PROVIDES THE PROPER PREVENTATIVE TREATMENT SO PETS CAN BE PROTECTED FROM DISEASES. IN 2025, 10,494 PETS WERE SEEN AT THE HEALTH CENTER. 10,849 HAD SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES PERFORMED. AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE HELPS OWNERS KEEP THEIR PETS RATHER THAN RELINQUISH THEM.
  3. $120,757 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE: MAINTAINING AND DISTRIBUTING PET FOOD THROUGH THE FOOD PANTRY TO KEEP PETS IN THE HOMES OF VULNERABLE PET OWNERS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION DISTRIBUTED AN ESTIMATED 41,229 POUNDS OF PET FOOD. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON PET OWNERSHIP AND ADOPTION BY BRINGING SHELTER PETS TO VARIOUS PARKS, MALLS, HOSPITALS, AND SCHOOLS. VISITING SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES WITH SHELTER PETS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF THESE FACILITIES.
  4. $69,203 spent. THE SILVER PAWS VIP PROGRAM MATCHES SENIOR DOGS AND CATS (7+) WITH SENIOR ADOPTERS (65+). THE ADOPTION FEE IS WAIVED AND ALL VETERINARY CARE FOR THAT PET IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE LIFE OF THE PET AT OUR VETERINARY CLINIC. 86 PETS WERE ADOPTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IN 2025.
  5. THE SILVER PAWS VIP PROGRAM MATCHES SENIOR DOGS AND CATS (7+) WITH SENIOR ADOPTERS (65+). THE ADOPTION FEE IS WAIVED AND ALL VETERINARY CARE FOR THAT PET IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE LIFE OF THE PET AT OUR VETERINARY CLINIC. 86 PETS WERE ADOPTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM IN 2025.

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 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 1951.

    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.