Hart for Animals Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HART FOR ANIMALS, INC. IS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ITS MISSION IS TO IMPROVE THE CONDITON OF ANIMALS IN WESTERN MARYLAND BY: 1)SAVING THE LIVES OF ADOPTABLE ANIMALS THROUGH RESCUE AND TRANSPORT, REHABILITATION, AND ADOPTION. 2)REDUCING PET OVERPOPULATION THROUGH LOW-COST SPAYING AND NEUTERING. 3)BUILDING AND OPERATING A HUMANE ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER. 4)ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP. 5)REDUCING INCIDENCE OF ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN OUR REGION, THROUGH EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 76%
- Employees
- 70
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $159,108, veterinarian
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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 43% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 2515 of 15 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 (5)
- $1.3 million spent. THE BREDEL CENTER IS A FULL SERVICE VETERINARY PRACTICE, PROVIDING PREVENTIVE AND HEALING VETERINARY SERVICES FOR CATS, DOGS, AND POCKET PETS. THE SERVICES OF THE BREDEL VETERINARY CLINIC ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS AND REINFORCE THE HUMAN-ANIMAL CONNECTION. SERVICES INCLUDE: CONSULTATIONS, EXAMINATIONS, SURGERIES, VACCINATIONS, SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES, DENTAL PROCEDURES, DIGITAL RADIOLOGY, AND LABORATORY TESTS. THE BREDEL CLINIC ALSO RECEIVES GRANTS THAT COVER LOW COST AND NO COST SURGERIES FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENCE RESIDING IN MARYLAND, WEST VIRGINIA, AND PENNSYLVANIA.
- $374,858 spent. THE BED N BARK INN IS A LUXURIOUS PET HOTEL THAT OFFERS VACATION DAYS OR OVERNIGHT STAYS TO THOSE IN NEED OF BOARDING THEIR FELINE AND CANINE COMPANIONS. THE HOTEL OFFERS MULTIPLE SPACIOUS DOG DENS AND CAT CONDOS, 24 HOUR SECURITY, LOTS OF EXERCISE, AND TONS OF HUGS AND LOVE TO ENSURE ALL OF ITS GUESTS ARE SAFE AND HAPPY DURING THEIR STAY.
- $616,541 spent. ADOPTION & RESCUE SINCE 2003, HART FOR ANIMALS, INC. HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE GARRETT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER TO RESCUE THE ANIMALS THAT ARRIVE AT THE SHELTER AND ARE NOT ADOPTED. DUE TO THE SHELTER'S SPACE LIMITATIONS, ANIMALS WHO WERE NOT ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY WERE EUTHANIZED TO ALLOW ROOM FOR OTHER INCOMING ANIMALS. BY WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH THE SHELTER AND WITH RESCUE GROUPS, HART IS ABLE TO RESCUE AND TRANSPORT 50% OF THE ANIMALS ARRIVING AT THE SHELTER. ANY ANIMALS BROUGHT INTO THE SHELTER ARE EVALUATED BY HART'S RESCUE COORDINATOR AND ALL ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ARE EITHER TRANSPORTED OR BROUGHT TO HART'S ADOPTION CENTER. ANY TESTS AND VACCINATIONS NEEDED ARE ADMINISTERED AND ALL ANIMALS BEING ADOPTED AT THE CENTER ARE SPAYED/ NEUTERED PRIOR TO THEIR ADOPTION. THE ADOPTION MANAGER EVALUATES ALL POTENTIAL ADOPTERS TO ENSURE THE PET GOES TO THE BEST SUITED HOME. ALTHOUGH THE ADOPTION WING FINDS HOME FOR MANY ANIMALS, HART STILL CONTINUES TO DO TRANSPORTS TO RESCUE GROUPS IN SURROUNDING METROPOLITAN AREAS, WHERE SOME OF THE ANIMALS HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF BEING ADOPTED. ADOPTION & RESCUE SINCE 2003, HART FOR ANIMALS, INC. HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE GARRETT COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER TO RESCUE THE ANIMALS THAT ARRIVE AT THE SHELTER AND ARE NOT ADOPTED. DUE TO THE SHELTER'S SPACE LIMITATIONS, ANIMALS WHO WERE NOT ADOPTED IMMEDIATELY WERE EUTHANIZED TO ALLOW ROOM FOR OTHER INCOMING ANIMALS. BY WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH THE SHELTER AND WITH RESCUE GROUPS, HART IS ABLE TO RESCUE AND TRANSPORT 50% OF THE ANIMALS ARRIVING AT THE SHELTER. ANY ANIMALS BROUGHT INTO THE SHELTER ARE EVALUATED BY HART'S RESCUE COORDINATOR AND ALL ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ARE EITHER TRANSPORTED OR BROUGHT TO HART'S ADOPTION CENTER. ANY TESTS AND VACCINATIONS NEEDED ARE ADMINISTERED AND ALL ANIMALS BEING ADOPTED AT THE CENTER ARE SPAYED/ NEUTERED PRIOR TO THEIR ADOPTION. THE ADOPTION MANAGER EVALUATES ALL POTENTIAL ADOPTERS TO ENSURE THE PET GOES TO THE BEST SUITED HOME. ALTHOUGH THE ADOPTION WING FINDS HOME FOR MANY ANIMALS, HART STILL CONTINUES TO DO TRANSPORTS TO RESCUE GROUPS IN SURROUNDING METROPOLITAN AREAS, WHERE SOME OF THE ANIMALS HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF BEING ADOPTED.
- $41,677 spent. PICK OF THE LITTER 61,667 IN REVENUE HART FOR ANIMALS OPERATES ITS THRIFT SHOP AT MCHENRY PLAZA AS A WAY OF RAISING FUNDS FOR ITS VARIOUS ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS. OPENED IN APRIL 2013, THE STORE HAS BECOME A STOPPING PLACE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, WITH ITS SELECTION OF HOUSEWARES, LAWN AND GARDEN ITEMS, BABY FURNITURE, CHILDREN'S TOYS, SMALL APPLIANCES, PET TOYS AND ACCESSORIES, AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS HART SHOPPE 2,645 IN REVENUE THE HART SHOPPE IS A SMALL RETAIL CORNER LOCATED IN THE MAIN HART FOR ANIMALS LOBBY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORE IS TO BRING IN EXTRA INCOME WHEN CLIENTS ARE VISITING THE OTHER MAIN REVENUE CENTERS. MANY CUSTOMERS WHO ADOPT A NEW PET PURCHASE LEASHES, COLLARS, CRATES, AND PET FOOD TO ENSURE THE PET HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO SPEND ITS FIRST DAYS IN ITS NEW FOREVER HOME. OTHER CLIENTS CHECKING OUT FROM THE BREDEL CLINIC TEND TO PURCHASE ITEMS RECOMMENDED BY THE VET CLINIC SUCH AS PILL POCKETS AND CALMING SPRAYS. CLIENTS DROPPING OFF THEIR ANIMALS AT THE BED N BARK INN SOMETIMES PURCHASE TOYS TO MAKE THEIR PETS FEEL HAPPY AS THEY LEAVE THEM FOR A LONG STAY. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL GROOMING TOOLS THAT THOSE VISITING MUTTWORKS MAY LIKE TO PURCHASE. OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE INCLUDE T-SHIRTS, CANDLES, PET BEDS, DEEP CREEK LAKE MAPS, AND MORE. THE HART SHOPPE ALTHOUGH SMALL OFFERS A VARIETY OF ITEMS BOTH FOR HUMANS AND THEIR FURRY COMPANIONS. MUTTWORKS 7,497 IN REVENUE MUTTWORKS IS A FULL-SERVICE GROOMING SPA FOR DOGS OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES.
- PICK OF THE LITTER 61,667 IN REVENUE HART FOR ANIMALS OPERATES ITS THRIFT SHOP AT MCHENRY PLAZA AS A WAY OF RAISING FUNDS FOR ITS VARIOUS ANIMAL WELFARE PROGRAMS. OPENED IN APRIL 2013, THE STORE HAS BECOME A STOPPING PLACE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, WITH ITS SELECTION OF HOUSEWARES, LAWN AND GARDEN ITEMS, BABY FURNITURE, CHILDREN'S TOYS, SMALL APPLIANCES, PET TOYS AND ACCESSORIES, AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD ITEMS HART SHOPPE 2,645 IN REVENUE THE HART SHOPPE IS A SMALL RETAIL CORNER LOCATED IN THE MAIN HART FOR ANIMALS LOBBY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORE IS TO BRING IN EXTRA INCOME WHEN CLIENTS ARE VISITING THE OTHER MAIN REVENUE CENTERS. MANY CUSTOMERS WHO ADOPT A NEW PET PURCHASE LEASHES, COLLARS, CRATES, AND PET FOOD TO ENSURE THE PET HAS EVERYTHING IT NEEDS TO SPEND ITS FIRST DAYS IN ITS NEW FOREVER HOME. OTHER CLIENTS CHECKING OUT FROM THE BREDEL CLINIC TEND TO PURCHASE ITEMS RECOMMENDED BY THE VET CLINIC SUCH AS PILL POCKETS AND CALMING SPRAYS. CLIENTS DROPPING OFF THEIR ANIMALS AT THE BED N BARK INN SOMETIMES PURCHASE TOYS TO MAKE THEIR PETS FEEL HAPPY AS THEY LEAVE THEM FOR A LONG STAY. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL GROOMING TOOLS THAT THOSE VISITING MUTTWORKS MAY LIKE TO PURCHASE. OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE INCLUDE T-SHIRTS, CANDLES, PET BEDS, DEEP CREEK LAKE MAPS, AND MORE. THE HART SHOPPE ALTHOUGH SMALL OFFERS A VARIETY OF ITEMS BOTH FOR HUMANS AND THEIR FURRY COMPANIONS. MUTTWORKS 7,497 IN REVENUE MUTTWORKS IS A FULL-SERVICE GROOMING SPA FOR DOGS OF ALL SIZES AND SHAPES.
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 2025.
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 August 2003.
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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