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Houston Humane Society

EIN 74-1340341 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY, THROUGH LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION AND ACTION, SEEKS TO PREVENT CRUELTY TO ALL LIVING CREATURES, RELIEVE THE SUFFERING OF ANIMALS, AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC REGARDING ANIMAL WELFARE.

Income
$12.4 million
Spending
$13.9 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
156
Volunteers
668
Highest pay
$253,592, former president

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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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, 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. $4.3 million spent. THE ANIMAL CLINIC PROVIDES LOW COST MEDICAL CARE TO ANIMALS, INCLUDING VACINATIONS, SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES AND HEART WORM PREVENTION.
  2. $5.8 million spent. THE SHELTER PROVIDES SHELTER, ANIMAL CARE AND FOOD TO HOMELESS ANIMALS. THE SHELTER ALSO OFFERS LOW COST ADOPTION OF THESE ANIMALS.
  3. $1.9 million spent. SINCE 1979, THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY WILDLIFE CENTER HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY EMERGENCY CARE AND REHABILITATION FOR INJURED, ILL, AND ORPHANED WILDLIFE BROUGHT TO US BY THE PUBLIC. THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY WILDLIFE CENTER CONTINUES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR URBAN WILDLIFE THREATENED BY THE LOSS OF HABITAT.
  4. $894,750 spent. WITH THE HELP OF FULL-TIME STAFF HIRED AS CRUELTY INVESTIGATORS, HHS IS ABLE TO RESCUE ANIMALS FROM ABUSIVE SITUATIONS, ENFORCE ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS THROUGH THE CIVIL COURT SYSTEM, PROSECUTE ABUSERS BY FILING CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND EXECUTE OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL WARRANTS ALONG WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY WARRANTS.

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

  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 2024.

    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 August 1960.

    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.