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Shelter Animal Resource Alliance

EIN 93-1310131 · Eugene, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 28% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 194 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

Shelter Animal Resource Alliance rescues, assists, and advocates for shelter animals in Lane County by developing and implementing programs designed to increase the number of animals adopted into permanent, loving homes and decrease the number of shelter animals euthanized.

Income
$402,531
Spending
$405,792
Spent on programs
28%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 83%
Employees
10
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$40,350, treasurer

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: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    28% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 194 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% 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

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $85,139 spent. Animal Rescue & Shelter: Shelter Cat & Dog Rescue & Adoption Program: S.A.R.A. rescues cats from local animal control and other rescue situations, while continuing to provide a high-quality of care for the cats previously rescued who had not yet been adopted. S.A.R.A. ensures that each animal in the program is health checked, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and socialized with people and other cats and dogs. When the cats are spayed/neutered and healthy, S.A.R.A. places them up for adoption in order to find each animal a loving, responsible home. S.A.R.A. also accepts the returns of previously-adopted shelter cats and provided care for them until they could be adopted into new homes. Additionally, when finances allow, S.A.R.A. spays/neuters stray and feral cats, providing them with health checks and necessary medical care before transferring them to larger humane society adoption programs or returning them to owners.
  2. $26,739 spent. Animal Protection & Welfare Programs: Public Education: S.A.R.A. staff and volunteers answer questions and provide educational materials and referrals on a wide variety of animal welfare topics to members of the public who call or visit S.A.R.A.'s Treasures. Staff and volunteers also attend community meetings and events to provide information and to network with others regarding local animal rescue and welfare issues.
  3. $1,132 spent. Animal Protection & Welfare Programs: Shelter Animal Advocacy Program: S.A.R.A. has expanded its work to advocate in crucial areas of shelter reform and for No-Kill (of Adoptable and Treatable Animals) Shelters in our community. S.A.R.A. also increased focus on helping keeping cats and dogs out of overcrowded shelters. S.A.R.A. assists a number of local pet owners by providing food, supplies, and advice to help them retain the pets they would otherwise be relinquishing to shelters due to financial constraints or behavioral issues.
  4. Animal Protection & Welfare Programs: Assisting Other Groups: S.A.R.A. assists a number of local animal welfare organizations and individual rescuers with donations of cat/dog food, cat litter, expertise and advice, financial sponsorship of spay/neuter surgeries, publicity, medical expenses, and donations of food and supplies to wildlife rescuers. S.A.R.A. hosted, organized, and advertised for a number of pet food and supply drives to benefit other rescue groups. Additionally, S.A.R.A. funded a number of spay/neuter surgeries for managed feral colonies and provided necessary food, blankets, flea treatment, and supplies to feral colony caretakers.

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 June 2002.

    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.