Harleys Dream
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Harleys Dream was established in 2016 in honor of Harley, a senior one-eyed puppy mill survivor who became the face and voice of the puppy mill dogs, earning the distinction of being the 2015 American Hero Dog for his work. Our mission is to create awareness and educate the public about the cruel commercial dog breeding industry (also known as puppy mills) and to rescue and rehome senior dogs in need.We believe that a grassroots approach by large groups of concerned citizens is the most effective way to bring about change. Our focus is to encourage advocacy by providing the tools necessary to educate children and adults alike.
- Income
- $285,948
- Spending
- $288,954
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $53,500, executive dir.
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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 79 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (2)
- $129,340 spent. Public Awareness ProgramThe commercial breeding of dogs (aka puppy mills) is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States. And, its an industry that most people are completely unaware of. The reality is that dogs are considered livestock in the laws of our federal government and breeding is regulated as agriculture by the US Department of Agriculture. Todays laws for commercial breeding allow a level of care for our canine companions that most people would consider inhumane. Commercial dog breeders focus on maximizing their profits at the expense of the welfare of the dogs. Unsuspecting consumers purchase their puppies through websites and pet stores, unaware of the horrible conditions in which the parent dogs live (and die). Increased consumer consciousness of the reality of this industry will lead to change in the laws and in individual decision-making about pet ownership.Key Campaign InitiativesLarge-Scale Public Awareness Signs from Harley Billboards, Banners, Signage. Impactful awareness campaigns strategically located throughout the country to capture attention, motivate awareness, and eventually drive increased education and change.Social Media Awareness: (Twitter, Instagram, Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube): Social media messaging with more than 200,000 followers driving online awareness.Peaceful Protests/Rallies: Through the staging by Harleys Heroes of peaceful, organized, and educated protests at pet stores that sell puppies, awareness of the issues will be raised. We make available a variety of affordable, compelling, professional, high-quality protest signs.Puppy Mill Awareness Cards: Distributed throughout the world by avid supporters, awareness cards (presented in a business card-size) are impactful, relay the puppy mill facts, and drive individual consumer awareness.Media Awareness: Through interviews and articles, and using Harleys story as inspiration, Harleys Dream spreads awareness about the cruel realities of the puppy mill industry.T-Shirts/Products: A variety of products, when seen in public, will bring attention to the puppy mill issue. This includes t-shirts, car signs, bumper stickers, hats and other merchandise.Dream's Benefit Gala: An annual fundraising event held in Loveland, CO, Celebrating and supporting canine welfare and puppy mill awareness in our northern Colorado communities.Art by Teddy: Our unique campaign called Art by Teddy was designed to spread puppy mill awareness through art, created by a puppy mill survivor named Teddy.Educational ProgramPublic consciousness and awareness about the puppy mill industry demands increased education. We believe that education should be tailored to each demographic. Through one-on-one, group, and targeted educational events, the public will learn the details about the reality of this industry and the link between puppy mills and pet stores/websites. This program provides individual and group education through creative and appropriate educational materials about the puppy mill industry, the pet store connection, and responsible pet ownership decision-making. Increased consumer education about the puppy mill to pet store / website connection will lead to the demand for improved legislation changes and informed individual decision-making about responsible pet ownership.Key Campaign InitiativesEducational Events: Through our Harleys Heroes project, hundreds of individuals across the country provide public education at tabling events, pet expos, and other venues. They are armed with knowledge, educational materials, flyers, brochures, displays, and videos.Presentations: Public appearances and speaking engagements by organization founders and key Harleys Heroes members, provides first-hand accounts which can be obtained only from the hands-on experience of rescuing and caring for puppy mill survivors.Childrens Educational Campaign: The creation and distribution of age-appropriate educational materials for children and schools, using the story of Harley.Print and Display Educational Materials: Key messaging display resources: banners, rack cards, flyers and assorted print materials are available to the public and to Harleys Heroes for educational events.Bookmarks for Change: Puppy mill educational bookmarks are multi-functional and will be provided to libraries, book stores, and schools. Bookmark marketing is a creative way to educate the public in a non-graphic, compelling way.
- $108,517 spent. HARLEYS HOUSE OF DREAMS - When Harley passed away in March of 2016 it was our dream to not only work to end puppy mills, but to also continue helping senior dogs.Senior dogs in need have always tugged at our hearts and the Harleys House of Dreams program enables Harleys Dream to rescue and provide the necessary medical care for these precious little old dogs and eventually find them forever homes. Most were scheduled to be euthanized until we rescued them. You can see follow their journeys by joining our Facebook group, Harleys House of Dreams.As you might imagine, medical care is our largest expense. Old dogs that end up in shelters typically come from backyard breeders, puppy mills or very negligent, uncaring owners. Its not uncommon for a dog to have heart problems, severe dental disease, or structural issues that cause constant pain. We work with an excellent medical team that will do everything necessary to make sure the dog is comfortable and as healthy as possible. The expenses to help one dog varies considerably but it typically ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. With your support we can continue making a difference, thank you!Saving one dog will not save the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.