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Passes our checks

Animalsave

EIN 94-2307359 · Grass Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 49% of its spending went to programs.

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

What it says it does

AnimalSave transforms the lives of cats and dogs by providing humane education, affordable spay and neuter services and finding loving homes. Programs are administered by 5 staff members and over 50 volunteers. In 2024 volunteer hours totaled over 20,000.

Income
$656,321
Spending
$488,820
Spent on programs
49%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
5
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$66,473, executive director, 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    49% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    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. $106,775 spent. AnimalSave's Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic is its proactive effort to solve the problem of dog and cat overpopulation. Operating one or two days per week, in 2024, 1,460 dogs and cats were altered using this service. Since the clinic began in March 2008, over 26,000 animals have been spayed or neutered. We estimate this has prevented the unwanted birth of over one million dogs and cats. Clinic revenues include fees for the low-cost surgery service, vaccinations, tests and donated funds received from individuals and foundations that support this work. Clinic expenses include veterinary and surgical costs, supplies, equipment, insurance, and other operating costs. A component of the Spay/Neuter Clinic is the Trap Neuter Return Program. The TNR program provides low-cost surgical fees, traps, trapping guidance and volunteer help to individuals wanting to trap and alter stray cats. This is an important part of AnimalSave's approach to preventing cat overpopulation and the resulting nuisance, health and safety issues that come with large feral cat colonies. Young kittens trapped in colonies are often taken into the Foster/Adoption program, placed in foster homes, socialized, and when old enough, are altered and available for adoption.
  2. $117,349 spent. In response to an unacceptable euthanasia rate at local shelters, AnimalSave's Foster/Adoption program was established in 1999. Since that time over 6,000 dogs and cats have been rescued. In 2024, 177 animals were rescued, put in foster homes where they received necessary veterinary care and rehabilitation, and then adopted into permanent homes. The Foster/Adoption Program is managed by one staff person and many volunteers including fosters, volunteers who clean and care for cats and kittens in the Cat Adoption Room, adoption counselors, volunteers who socialize cats and kittens, receptionists and others. Revenues are derived from adoption fees and donated funds from individuals and foundations. Expenses include food, medical, staff and other costs of operating this program.
  3. $16,152 spent. Humane Education Program. By visiting schools, speaking at clubs, facilitating workshops and providing guidance and information about responsible pet guardianship, AnimalSave educates the community on animal welfare issues and the programs we offer to improve the lives of animals.

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 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 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 December 1975.

    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.