In Defense of Animals
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
IN ADDITION TO THE NARRATIVE IN PART 1, LINE 1, IDA'S EFFORTS INCLUDE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS, BOYCOTTS, GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM, AND HANDS-ON RESCUE THROUGH OUR SANCTUARIES IN CALIFORNIA AND MISSISSIPPI.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 19.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $168,132, president & ceo
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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
- $1.9 million spent. IDA'S CAMPAIGNS AND PROGRAMS COVER ANIMALS AROUND THE WORLD, THROUGH INVESTIGATION, RESCUE AND REHABILITATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION, POLITICAL AND CONSUMER ADVOCACY, AND LITIGATION. FROM WORKING TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF AMERICA'S COMPANION ANIMALS, TO RESCUING ON CATALIA ISLAND, TO FIGHTING TO END THE HORRIFIC TRADE IN DOG MEAT IN KOREA, IDA'S CAMPAIGNS REACH FAR AND WIDE. SEE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON SCHEDULE O.
- $124,544 spent. GRANTS PAID: DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS IDENTIFIED AND THEN CONTRIBUTED FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO A NUMBER OF WORTHY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING CARE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO ANIMALS.
- $203,365 spent. PROJECT HOPESINCE 1993, IDA'S HOPE ANIMAL SANCTUARY (HAS) HAS RESCUED, PROVIDED REFUGE, AND FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR ABUSED ANIMALS IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI. IN A REGION DEVOID OF ANIMAL SHELTERS AND OTHER VITAL ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES, THE ONGOING WORK OF HAS IS BEYOND CRITICAL IN PROVIDING HOPE FOR ANIMALS CONTINUING TO SUFFER IN AMERICA'S DEEP SOUTH. THE SANCTUARY HAS SAVED THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS INCLUDING DOGS, CATS, GOATS, SHEEP, PIGS, HORSES, COWS, CHICKENS, DUCKS, GEESE AS WELL AS PELICANS, LIZARDS, TURTLES, AND PUMAS. WE ENSURE THEY RECEIVE SAFE TRANSPORTATION AWAY FROM HARM, PROVIDE THEM WITH VETERINARY CARE, SPAY AND NEUTER, GOOD FOOD AND FRESH WATER, AND A LOT OF LOVE AND KINDNESS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)
- IN SUMMARY, IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS PROTECTS THE RIGHTS, HABITATS AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS THROUGH A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION, LOBBYING, BOYCOTTING AND DIRECT ACTION CAMPAIGNING. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION FROM FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART 4AIDA WORKS TIRELESSLY ON THESE PROJECTS:* ANTI-VIVISECTION: END ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION; SEEK ALTERNATIVES; EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT UNNECESSARY ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS.* FUR: EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CRUELTY OF THE FUR INDUSTRY, HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN KOREA AND CHINA. IDA IS AN ORGANIZER FOR ANNUAL FUR FREE FRIDAY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST THE FUR TRADE. IDA HOLDS RALLIES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES EVERY YEAR.* INVESTIGATIONS: IDA WORKS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CRUELTY CASES TO BRING JUSTICE TO COMPANION ANIMALS AND TO FARM ANIMALS IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI. IDA INVESTIGATES CONDITIONS OF ELEPHANTS IN ZOOS ACROSS THE STATES, AND IS COMMITTED TO ENDING THE SUFFERING FOR ELEPHANTS IN ZOOS AND CIRCUSES. IDA STRIVES TO RELOCATE ELEPHANTS TO SANCTUARIES WHENEVER POSSIBLE.* SANCTUARY: IDA PROVIDES SANCTIONS FOR RESCUED AND ABUSED ANIMALS AND GIVE LIFETIME CARE WHEN NEEDED, IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD. WE SUPPORT IDA HOPE ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN GRENADA MS AND WE SUPPORT ANIMAL PROTECTION IN INDIA. ADDITIONALLY, IDA PROVIDES VETERINARY CARE FOR THE STREET DOGS OF MUMBAI.* PROGRAMS: IDA DEFENDS AND PROTECTS DOLPHINS AND WHALES INSTEAD OF EXPLOITING THEM. IDA IS WORKING TO CLOSE EXISTING CAPTIVE DISPLAY FACILITIES. IDA IS MOBILIZING SUPPORTERS TO STOP MASS KILLING OF WILD HORSES. IDA IS DEMANDING THAT FEDERAL AGENCIES CARRY OUT THEIR DUTY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE WILD EQUINES WITH HUMANE, COST EFFECTIVE SCIENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS. IDA WORKS TO PROTECT FARMED ANIMALS BY LOBBYING FOR LEGAL CHANGE, PRESSURING MAJOR FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS TO MAKE PLANT BASED MEALS WIDELY AVAILABLE, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS INITIATIVES TO INSPIRE CRUELTY-FREE LIFESTYLE CHOICES. IDA SUPPORTS HUMANE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY CATS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS THAT UNDERTAKE LIFE-SAVING TNR, TRAP-NEUTER-RETURN, AND STRIVES TO PROTECT COMMUNITY CATSAND THEIR OUTDOOR HOMES. OVER THE YEARS, IDA HAS WON SOME PRECEDENT SETTING VICTORIES FOR OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS, BOTH HERE AT HOME, AND AROUND THE WORLD. THEY INCLUDE:* CLOSING DOWN WHAT ONCE WAS THE LARGEST EXPERIMENTAL CENTER FOR CHIMPANZEES IN THE WORLD, THE HIDEOUS COULSTON FOUNDATION. IN DOING SO, HUNDREDS OF CHIMPANZEES WERE FREED FROM THE HORRORS OF VIVISECTION.* CREATING A CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY AND EDUCATION CENTER IN THE WEST AFRICAN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON, PROVIDING A SAFE HAVEN FOR SEVERELY ABUSED ADULT CHIMPANZEES AND FOR BABIES ORPHANED BY A THRIVING BUSHMEAT TRADE.* PROVIDING ONGOING AND VIGOROUS SUPPORT AGAINST THE DOG MEAT TRADE IN ASIA* CLOSING DOWN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY'S GRUESOME CRACK COCAINE EXPERIMENTS ON MONKEYS ... AND ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY'S HORRIFIC VOMITING EXPERIMENTS ON CATS.* SAVING THE LIVES OF 180 "RESEARCH" BEAGLES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AFTER AN EMPLOYEE TIPPED US OFF THEY WERE ABOUT TO BE KILLED.* HELPING PASS A LAW THAT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PROTECTS KOREA'S 1.7 MILLION STRAY DOGS FROM CRUELTY, ABANDONMENT, AND EXPLOITATION.* CANCELING A PROPOSED SLAUGHTER OF THOUSANDS OF BABY SEALS OFF THE COAST OF SOUTH AFRICA.* RESCUING HUNDREDS OF DOGS AND CATS AFTER A DEVASTATING FIRESTORM SWEPT THROUGH THE OAKLAND/BERKELEY HILLS, DESTROYING MORE THAN 3,500 HOMES.* LIBERATING 40 DOLPHINS WHEN AN IDA INVESTIGATOR FLEW TO JAPAN AND SWAM UNDERWATER IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT TO CUT THE NETS THAT IMPRISONED THE TERRIFIED ANIMALS.* FILING FIVE LAWSUITS THAT RESULTED IN THE FREEING OF 42 RACING GREYHOUNDS FROM ARMY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA RESEARCH LABORATORIES. MANY WERE ALREADY IN THE MIDST OF PAINFUL RESEARCH. THE LAWSUITS SUCCESSFULLY PREVENTED HORRIFIC BONE BREAKING EXPERIMENTS ON 120 RETIRED RACING GREYHOUNDS.* CONDUCTING UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS THAT EXPOSED THE CRUELTIES OF THE PUPPY MILL INDUSTRY ... RESCUING THOUSANDS OF STARVING AND ABUSED ANIMALS, AND DEVELOPING A 64-ACRE ABUSED ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI. PROJECT HOPE (CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION FROM FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART 4B) HAS ALSO CONDUCTS UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIONS, COORDINATES RAIDS WITH LOCAL LAWENFORCEMENT, AND ULTIMATELY RESCUES ANIMALS SUFFERING FROM STARVATION, DISEASE, VIOLENT ABUSE AND EXTREME NEGLECT. FROM RESCUES INVOLVING ANIMALS SUFFERING AT THE MERCY OF PUPPY MILL OPERATORS, ANIMAL "COLLECTORS", ANIMAL DEALERS AND DOG FIGHTING RINGS (WHERE EMACIATED DOGS WITH SWOLLEN AND BLEEDING HEADS WERE TIGHTLY BOUND TO CHAINS), TO THE RESCUE OF EXOTIC SPECIES, FARM ANIMALS, AND COMPANION ANIMALS IN TROUBLE, WE ARE THERE. WE ALSO GO THE DISTANCE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY EVIDENCE TO ENSURE EVERY ABUSER IS PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. WE DO SO DESPITE DEATH THREATS AND ACTS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST US. WE DO SO FOR THE ANIMALS.
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 October 13, 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 March 1984.
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 October 21, 2026.
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