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The Haven

EIN 63-1253853 · Fairhope, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HAVEN PROVIDES A SHELTER AND FINDS ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND HOMELESS ANIMALS TREATING THEM WITH LOVE, RESPECT AND MEDICAL CARE. THROUGH EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, WE PROMOTE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF PET OVERPOPULATION AND RESPONSIBILITY. THE HAVEN IS A NON-PROFIT SANCTUARY FOR ANIMALS THAT WILL BE CARED FOR REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO FIND THEM LOVING HOMES.

Income
$758,027
Spending
$737,892
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
7.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
9
Volunteers
239

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (1)
  1. $533,131 spent. IN 2025, THE HAVEN ANIMAL SHELTER CARED FOR 488 HOMELESS CATS AND DOGS AND OPERATED THE CITY OF FAIRHOPE ANIMAL SHELTER (COFAS), WHICH CARED FOR 316 MUNICIPAL ANIMALS, FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 804 ANIMALS HELPED. OF THE HAVENS ADMISSIONS, 282 ANIMALS (OR, 58% OF TOTAL HAVEN INTAKES) WERE TRANSFERRED FROM HIGH-INTAKE SHELTERS, REDUCING EUTHANASIA RISK REGIONALLY. ALL ANIMALS RECEIVED DAILY CARE AND VETERINARY SERVICES INCLUDING SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINATIONS, MICROCHIPPING, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, AND MEDICAL TREATMENT AS NEEDED UNTIL PLACEMENT. 2025 OUTCOMES: 412 ADOPTIONS 282 TRANSFERS 97 RETURN-TO-OWNER REUNIFICATIONS 97 ANIMALS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE 99% COMBINED LIVE RELEASE RATE THE HAVEN: 100% COFAS: 97% 11 HUMANE EUTHANASIA CASES (MEDICAL ONLY) ADDITIONAL SERVICES: 473 SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES 1,898 VACCINES ADMINISTERED 9,535 POUNDS OF DOG FOOD DISTRIBUTED 25 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS COMBINED AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IMPROVED TO 19.4 DAYS, REFLECTING EFFICIENT PLACEMENT AND FOSTER PROGRAMMING. IN 2025, THE HAVEN ANIMAL SHELTER CARED FOR 488 HOMELESS CATS AND DOGS AND OPERATED THE CITY OF FAIRHOPE ANIMAL SHELTER (COFAS), WHICH CARED FOR 316 MUNICIPAL ANIMALS, FOR A COMBINED TOTAL OF 804 ANIMALS HELPED. OF THE HAVENS ADMISSIONS, 282 ANIMALS (OR, 58% OF TOTAL HAVEN INTAKES) WERE TRANSFERRED FROM HIGH-INTAKE SHELTERS, REDUCING EUTHANASIA RISK REGIONALLY. ALL ANIMALS RECEIVED DAILY CARE AND VETERINARY SERVICES INCLUDING SPAY/NEUTER, VACCINATIONS, MICROCHIPPING, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, AND MEDICAL TREATMENT AS NEEDED UNTIL PLACEMENT. 2025 OUTCOMES: 412 ADOPTIONS 282 TRANSFERS 97 RETURN-TO-OWNER REUNIFICATIONS 97 ANIMALS PLACED IN FOSTER CARE 99% COMBINED LIVE RELEASE RATE THE HAVEN: 100% COFAS: 97% 11 HUMANE EUTHANASIA CASES (MEDICAL ONLY) ADDITIONAL SERVICES: 473 SPAY/NEUTER SURGERIES 1,898 VACCINES ADMINISTERED 9,535 POUNDS OF DOG FOOD DISTRIBUTED 25 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS COMBINED AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IMPROVED TO 19.4 DAYS, REFLECTING EFFICIENT PLACEMENT AND FOSTER PROGRAMMING.

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 April 2001.

    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.

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