Gerdas Equine Rescue Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS PROGRAMS THAT 1) RESCUE AND REHABILITATE ANIMALS (PRIMARILITY HORSES), 2) PROMOTE AND FACILITATE ANIMAL ADOPTION, AND 3) OPERATE A FACILITY WHERE THE PROGRAM MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED.
- Income
- $433,829
- Spending
- $406,486
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 12
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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 70% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% 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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $381,724 spent. Our mission is to primarily rescue horses that have run through auction only to be purchased by a kill buyer and will be sent on a horrific journey to Mexico to be slaughtered for human consumption outside the USA. These are the saddest, most hopeless group of horses you could ever imagine. Once they are in our care, we quarantine them for one month and begin to see what they are able to do, or not able to do any more. For those who survive we very carefully find safe loving homes. Homes are selected with the understanding that if they are no longer able to keep the horses adopted from us they must agree to return them to our rescue. The Organization also helps people local or otherwise who have horses that are unable to care for any longer by bringing them into our care and updating their medical needs and finding them homes as space allows; we rarely leave them with no options. We also educate the public by going into schools, hosting annual clinics, such as free castration, low fee dental clinics, and free winter blanket banks for people who are not able to afford these things for their horses. What is a labor of love, and we love making a small difference in this never-ending sea of unwanted horses, who through no fault of their own have become victims of this wretched slaughter pipeline. Our hopes are that one day this inhuman practice will be outlawed and a thing of the past and that our majestic horses may continue to serve man in harmony and respect.
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 January 2006.
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.
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.