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Humane Society of Shelby County

EIN 63-0817987 · Columbiana, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CARE FOR HOMELESS, ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND ABANDONED ANIMALS AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY TO INSTILL AN INCREASED AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT TO THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ANIMAL OWNERSHIP AND PROTECTION.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
155
Volunteers
710
Highest pay
$79,200, interim dire

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 30% 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 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. $1.6 million spent. KENNEL OPERATIONS- SHELBY HUMANE SOCIETY PROVIDES HOUSING, SHELTER, AND FOOD TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000 ANIMALS EACH YEAR THAT ARE EITHER PREPARED FOR ADOPTION OR FOR TRANSPORT. THE OPERATIONS SERVE AS A SOURCE OF ANIMAL CONTROL FOR SHELBY COUNTY AND ANIMALS INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.
  2. MEDICAL- PROVIDES TREATMENT AND TESTING FOR ANIMALS THAT REQUIRE SUCH ATTENTION WHEN THEY ARE HOUSED AT THE SHELTER. THE TREATMENT INCLUDES SITUATIONS THAT ARISE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. MEDICAL TREATMENT CAN ALSO INCLUDE VACCINATIONS AND MICROCHIPPING.
  3. SPAY/NEUTER- THE SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM IS A LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN 2008. THE PROGRAM SUBSIDIZES SURGERIES FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 July 1982.

    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.