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Humane Society of Western Montana

EIN 81-0290933 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF WESTERN MONTANA BUILDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PETS AND PEOPLE TO THRIVE. WE DEVOTE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO NOURISH THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND.WE OFFER ADOPTION SERVICES, TRAINING CLASSES, HUMANE EDUCATION, BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS, AND VETERINARY CARE FOR CATS AND DOGS. WE WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF PETS IN OUR CARE AND BEYOND. ON AVERAGE WE ADOPT OUT 1,400 PETS ANNUALLY. IN 2024 WE PROVIDED NEARLY 7,000 VACCINES TO PETS AND SERVED NEARLY 2,200 SURGICAL PATIENTS IN OUR LOW AND NO COST CLINICS. WE REGULARLY STOCK OUR LOCAL FOOD BANK AS WELL AS ON-SITE FOOD AND PET SUPPLIES FOR PET OWNERS IN NEED OF SUPPORT.THE CORE OF OUR SUCCESS IS OVER 60 YEARS OF RESOLVE TO LEARN, RESEARCH, ADAPT, AND OFFER THE BEST WELFARE PRACTICES, INNOVATING WHENEVER NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
42
Volunteers
77
Highest pay
$109,772, shelter medicine director

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES ARE DEVOTED TO NOURISH THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OFFERS ADOPTION SERVICES, TRAINING CLASSES, HUMANE EDUCATION, BEHAVIOR CONSULTATION AND MEDICAL OUTREACH FOR DOGS AND CATS. THE HUMANE SOCIETY WORKS WITH VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF PETS IN THE SHELTER AND BEYOND. APPROXIMATELY 1,400 ANIMALS ARE ADOPTED INTO HOMES ANNUALLY. THOUSANDS MORE ARE SERVED THROUGH OUR FIELD MEDICAL SERVICES, PET FOOD, ADOPTIONS, AND BEHAVIOR HOT LINE. IN 2024 WE PROVIDED OVER 7,000 VACCINES TO PETS AND SERVED NEARLY 2,200 SURGICAL PATIENTS IN OUR LOW AND NO COST CLINICS. WE REGULARLY STOCK OUR LOCAL FOOD BANK AS WELL AS ON-SITE FOOD AND PET SUPPLIES FOR PET OWNERS IN NEED OF SUPPORT.

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 1968.

    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.