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Lone Star Pawz

EIN 92-1045426 · Pearland, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide an animal rescue service for abandoned or stray cats and dogs from metro Houston (Harris county) and surrounding counties, such Brazoria and Galveston. The Primary goal is to facilitate their adoption into permanent homes, which often requires transporting to out-of-state adopters. Prior to adoptions, Lone Star Pawz provides the necessary health screenings and certificates, vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures and ID micro-chipping.

Income
$685,219
Spending
$410,398
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
7
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$16,800, president/ceo

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 132% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $258,302 spent. Adoption services: 1306 cats and dogs were permanently adopted through Lone Star Pawz rescue in 2024. This was a 95% increase from 2023 statistics. This large increase was possible because of major organizational changes during the year. Office space was rented to improve our location for fosters access, veterinary care and new staff members. Administration and vetting staff was added to support the adoption process and coordinate animal care prior to adoptions. All adopted animals are provided with needed health care, vaccines, spay or neuter surgeries and ID micro-chips in preparation for adoption. Our long term objective is to increase adoptions, reduce the cost of medical care and focus on assisting local animal shelters by taking animals from their euthanasia lists. At this time approximately 7% of intake are from the euthanasia lists.
  2. $112,757 spent. Of the 1306 adoptions placed in 2024 approximately 96% were transported to out of state adopters. This is needed since Texas has an over abundance of animals needing homes while many states in the Northeast and Rockies have fewer animals in shelters. Using outside animal transport services proved costly and issues arose with animal care and even lost cats during the transfer process. The decision was made in June 2024 to purchase a Ford transit van and outfit it for our own transport needs. This allows LSP to coordinate and manage the entire process. We can now accomplish three 3-5 day transports each month that carry at least 30-40 cats or dogs per trip. Our long term goal is to purchase a larger truck to provide more space and a more comfortable environment for both the animals and drivers.
  3. $23,538 spent. Since Lone Star Pawz rented an office space in Pearland TX, the decision was made to section off a portion of it to open an "Catfe". It is open to the public to visit cats available for adoption or are awaiting a transport to their new homes. Extra income is made by the sale of drinks, snacks and visits with the cats in a controlled environment. This has proven to be very popular and income generated is used to support our services.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.