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Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates

EIN 93-1456547 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our organizations mission is to provide access to veterinary medical care for our communitys most vulnerable pets. Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates has partnered with the City of Stockton to provide veterinary medical care to community animals at one of the highest volume shelters in California. Our non-profit organization is responsible for providing a full staff of veterinary professionals and support staff capable of administering all necessary medical care within the scope of the shelters capacity.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
56
Volunteers
1
Highest pay
$195,388, veterinarian

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. In 2025, Hard Luck Animal Welfare Advocates significantly expanded both the scale and impact of our program services, continuing our commitment to improving outcomes for Stocktons most vulnerable animals. Building on the foundation established in prior years, we broadened our operational reach by launching a dedicated Community Outreach Department, designed to increase visibility, strengthen community engagement, and ultimately drive higher adoption and live release rates.This expansion allowed us to deepen connections within the community through events, partnerships, and education, while also improving pathways for animals to move safely and efficiently out of the shelter system and into homes or rescue placement.A major milestone in 2025 was helping facilitate a key partnership that led to the acquisition of an additional 10,000-square-foot facility, which is being developed into the new shelters new Wellness & Community Center (WAC), set to open in Spring 2025. This center will serve as a hub for accessible veterinary care, community resources, and expanded programmingfurther strengthening the safety net for the communitys pets and their families.While construction of the shelters permanent medical facilities is still underway, our team adapted quickly to ensure continuity of care. Throughout much of 2025, our surgery team operated out of the new hospital space at the WAC, allowing us to maintain and grow our capacity for lifesaving medical interventions, including spay/neuter surgeries and critical care procedures.Supporting this growth is a robust and multidisciplinary team of more than 60 staff members, including veterinarians, registered veterinary technicians, veterinary technicians, foster and rescue coordinators, community outreach staff, customer service representatives, and administrative leadership. This structure reflects a comprehensive, team-based approach to animal welfareensuring that every stage of an animals journey, from intake to medical care to placement, is supported by dedicated expertise.The impact of these combined efforts is reflected in the years outcomes. In 2025, the shelter achieved a live release rate of over 84% for dogs and approximately 74% for cats, demonstrating meaningful progress in lifesaving efforts. Additionally, rescue and transfer partnerships accounted for over 34% of all outcomes, highlighting the strength of our collaborative network.With a total of more than 8,100 animals entering the shelter system in 2025, the need for comprehensive, scalable services remained high. Through strategic growth, operational flexibility, and community-centered programming, Hard Luck continued to meet this demand while driving improved outcomes across the board.As we look ahead, the expansion of our facilities and programs positions us to further increase access to care, reduce barriers to ownership, and create a more sustainable, humane system for animals and the people who love them.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 February 2024.

    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 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.