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Animal Friends Rescue Project

EIN 77-0491141 · Pacific Grove, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Organization is dedicated to finding life-long loving homes for stray, abandoned and abused cats and dogs. The Organization concentrates on networking with other animal welfare agencies in the county and throughout the state to provide a safety net for the animals with the least chance of survival. The Organization plays a unique role in the community by rescuing animals that are at most risk in the shelter environment, the underage, nursing, senior, injured, shy and overlooked animals. Learn more at www.animalfriendsrescue.org

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
27.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
20
Volunteers
168
Highest pay
$46,175, executive dir.

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    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 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. $797,367 spent. AFRP operates an In-House Veterinary Clinic to provide spay and neuter services, surgery and on-going medical care including vaccines, micro-chipping, testing, x-rays, blood work and other preventative treatment for all dogs, cats that come into the AFRP Adoption Program. For services that cannot be done in-house, we have a network of vet clinics and specialist vets who work with us and provide a nonprofit discount for their services.
  2. $268,442 spent. Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) is a safety net for the most at risk animals in our local shelters. These animals are typically too young, too old, injured, abused, shy and overlooked dogs and cats that do not do well in the shelter environment. AFRP rescued and found homes for 167 dogs, cats during the 2024 fiscal year with the help of over 125 volunteers. Our adoption center in Pacific Grove continues to be a successful location for finding new homes for dogs and cats.
  3. $15,362 spent. The Road to Rescue program transports dogs at risk of being euthanized in shelters to rescue groups located throughout California and the Northwest. This program transports animals on behalf of other shelters, such as Hitchcock Road Animal Services, Tulare County Animal Services, and Fresno Humane Animal Services at no cost to the government agencies.
  4. Community Outreach/Spay & Neuter Program - AFRP's Clinic provides low cost spay/neuter services for small/medium dogs and cats for the public, helping a segment of the public be able to address pet overpopulation in a cost effective manner. In 2024, the AFRP Clinic spayed and neuterd 121 dogs and 681 cats (non-feral). Through donations and grants, the AFRP Clinic also conducted TNR clinics throughout 2024 for feral cats. Our goal with these targeted programs is to reduce the numbers of animals being born or found roaming from entering into the shelter system by providing access to affordable spay neuter services therefore making it a desirable option for the community to help reduce the number of unwanted animals needing assistance. The TNR Clinics spayed and neutered 1,464 feral cats in 2024.

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 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 2024.

    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 November 1998.

    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.