Second Chance Humane Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ANIMALS BY FOSTERING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 2.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Employees
- 65
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $83,606, executive 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 255 of 6 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 (3)
- $985,573 spent. ANIMAL SHELTER: PROVIDE CARE FOR LOST, ABANDONED, SURRENDERED AND HOMELESS DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN OURAY, MONTROSE AND SAN MIGUEL COUNTIES AND THE SURROUNDING REGION. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES MEDICAL CARE, SPRAY/NEUTERING, VACCINATING, MICROCHIPPING, SHELTERING, ADOPTION PLACEMENT, PRE-ADOPTION MEDICAL SERVICES, LOST/FOUND SERVICES, AND PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL REHABILITATION. AN AVERAGE OF 400 PETS ARE RESCUED ANNUALLY. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION IS ALSO BASED FROM THE SHELTER AND INCLUDES LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEDICAL CARE AND SERVICES, LOW INCOME PET PANTRY, BEHAVIORAL TRAINING, PROGRAMMING IN LOCAL SCHOOLS, A MEMORIAL GARDEN, WEEKLY EDUCATIONAL PET COLUMN, AND EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH NUMEROUS REGIONIAL ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS.
- $723,137 spent. THRIFT SHOPS: ALL GOODS SOLD IN THE THRIFT SHOPS ARE DONATED AND ALL NET INCOME FROM THE SALE OF THESE GOODS IS APPLIED TO FUND ANIMAL CARE AND OPERATIONAL COSTS. IN ADDITION TO THEIR PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE, THEY SERVE AS AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL CENTER FOR RECYCLING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND CLOTHING THAT OTHERWISE ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS.
- $32,139 spent. MISSION STATEMENT: IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ANIMALS BY FOSTERING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. AS THIS MISSION STATEMENT REFLECTS, SECOND CHANCE BELIEVES PETS AND PEOPLE LIVE BETTER TOGETHER AND THEIR PROGRAMMING IS GEARED TOWARD KEEPING PETS AS HEALTHY AND HAPPY PARTS OF INDIVIDUAL'S AND FAMILY'S LIVES, REGARDLESS OF INCOME. AS SUCH, SECOND CHANCE OPERATES A CAGE-FREE ANIMAL SHELTER WHILE ALSO OPERATING A PLETHORA OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PROMOTE THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AND LIFELONG CONNECTIONS WITH PETS.
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 April 1995.
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.
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.