Progressive Animal Welfare Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A champion for animals since 1967, PAWS is a nationally recognized leader - rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating people to make a better world for animals and people.
- Income
- $18.3 million
- Spending
- $8.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 14 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 158
- Volunteers
- 759
- Highest pay
- $207,231, cfo & coo
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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)
- $2.9 million spent. Companion Animal Services - PAWS provides refuge for more than 3,342 homeless, lost or orphaned cats and dogs every year, placing them in loving, permanent homes or reuniting them with their families. Every healthy, adoptable animal at PAWS is placed into a responsible, caring home. PAWS provides medical care to each animal, including spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, and microchipping as well as behavior training and enrichment. PAWS also provides training and education to strengthen the human/animal bond and works to end animal cruelty and overpopulation.
- $2.7 million spent. Wildlife Services - Dedicated to helping wild animals return to the wild, PAWS Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals from the state of Washington and beyond. PAWS cares for over 3,367 wild animals each year, with a focus on rehabilitating native species. PAWS partners with a variety of federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private landowners, for the release of wild animals back to the wild once rehabilitated. PAWS Wildlife Center also serves as a resource for people, offering educational training programs to future professionals in wildlife medicine and rehabilitation, assisting the community with humane solutions to wildlife conflicts, and responding to concerns about injured and orphaned wild animals.
- $643,824 spent. Education and Outreach PAWS raises awareness of animal issues and helps create positive change for animals through outreach and education, advocacy programs, and partnerships. More than 4,068 youth and adults are empowered each year by PAWS education programs and messages of compassion carried out through elementary school curriculum, youth workshops, public awareness campaigns, outreach at events, and print and online educational materials.
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 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 2024.
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 December 1967.
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.