Rancho Coastal Humane Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE ORANCHO COASTAL IS DEDICATED TO THE RESCUE AND SHELTER OF ABANDONED COMPANION ANIMALS. IT ENCOURAGES ADOPTIONS INTO LOVING HOMES AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND. RANCHO COASTAL PRIMARILY SERVES SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. RANCHO COASTAL'S FUNDING COMES PRIMARILY FROM ADOPTIONS AND RELINQUISHMENT FEES, BEQUESTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, GRANTS AND FOUNDATIONS, AND THRIFT SHOP REVENUES.
- Income
- $8.4 million
- Spending
- $7.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 28 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 110
- Volunteers
- 465
- Highest pay
- $167,088, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 28.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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 June 30, 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 (4)
- $5.1 million spent. ANIMAL PROGRAMSFOCAS PROGRAMPET FOOD BANKPET ASSISTED THERAPYPET LOSS SUPPORTVETERINARY CARE PROGRAMSEE SCHEDULE OANIMAL PROGRAMS:RANCHO COASTAL'S ADOPTIONS AND ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM FINDS NEW HOMES FOR DOGS, CATS, AND DOMESTIC RABBITS SURRENDERED BY THEIR OWNERS, TRANSFERRED FROM REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTERS, AND RESCUED FROM DISASTER AREAS. DURING THEIR STAY AT THE SHELTER, ALL OF RANCHO COASTAL'S ANIMALS RECEIVE EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE, AND STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WORK ON IMPROVED SOCIALIZATION AND ENGAGE IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL ADOPTIONS. RANCHO COASTAL OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND RESPONSIBLE CARE OF PETS, AS WELL AS A SENIORS-TO-SENIORS PROGRAM THAT INCENTIVIZES AND SUPPORTS ADOPTIONS OF SENIOR PETS BY PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 60. RANCHO COASTAL'S FOSTER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDES CARE AND COMFORT OF NEO-NATAL KITTENS, PUPPIES, AND BUNNIES IN HOMES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ALLOWING RANCHO COASTAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ADOPTABLE ANIMALS IN ITS CARE BEYOND ITS KENNEL CAPACITY.FOCAS PROGRAM:THE FOCAS PROGRAM GIVES PETS FROM OTHER SHELTERS A SECOND CHANCE TO BE ADOPTED. THIS PROGRAM IS THE RESULT OF THE MERGER OF FRIENDS OF COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS (FOCAS) WITH RANCHO COASTAL. RANCHO COASTAL HAS CONTINUED THE PARTNERSHIP STARTED BY FOCAS WITH THE THREE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS, AND HAS EXPANDED THE FOCAS PROGRAM BY TAKING DOGS, CATS, AND DOMESTIC RABBITS FROM CHULA VISTA ANIMAL CONTROL, EL CENTRO HUMANE SOCIETY, THE SAN DIEGO HOUSE RABBIT SOCIETY, THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES, ANIMAL FRIENDS OF THE VALLEY (AFV), AND FROM OTHER SHELTERS IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY OR THE WORLD WHERE EUTHANASIA PRACTICES CONTINUE. RANCHO COASTAL IS A LIMITED ADMISSION SHELTER, WHICH ENABLES IT TO KEEP ADOPTABLE ANIMALS UNTIL THEY CAN BE PLACED WITH THEIR NEW FAMILIES. EACH OF THE DOGS, CATS, AND RABBITS IS GIVEN A "SECOND CHANCE" FOR ADOPTION, AND A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO FIND A LOVING HOME.PET FOOD BANK:RANCHO COASTAL PROVIDES PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR PET OWNERS ON FIXED INCOMES, THE SICK AND DISABLED, WORKING FAMILIES THAT STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY, MILITARY FAMILIES, AND THE HOMELESS. SINCE APRIL 2020, THE PET FOOD BANK HAS OPENED EVERY SATURDAY, DISTRIBUTED PET FOOD EVERY THURSDAY AT A LOCAL FOOD PANTRY, AND HOSTED NUMEROUS SPECIAL EVENTS TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY.PET ASSISTED THERAPY:RANCHO COASTAL'S PET ASSISTED THERAPY (PAT) PROGRAM BRINGS THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF ANIMALS TO PEOPLE IN NEED AT SPECIAL NEEDS AND AT-RISK YOUTH PROGRAMS, SENIOR CENTERS, SKILLED NURSING AND RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, HOSPICE, VETERAN CENTERS, COLLEGE CAMPUSES, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. PET LOSS SUPPORT:RANCHO COASTAL'S PET LOSS SUPPORT PROGRAM (PLSP) HELPS PEOPLE SUFFERING THE SADNESS AND GRIEF OF LOSING A BELOVED PET. THE PROGRAM OFFERED GROUP MEETINGS TWICE A MONTH, WITH WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND OPTIONS, LED BY A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL GRIEF COUNSELORS. A LENDING LIBRARY, RESOURCE MATERIALS, AND A REFERRAL LIST OF THERAPISTS WERE CREATED TO SUPPORT THE HEALING PROCESS. PLSP CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING SESSIONS BY APPOINTMENT, AND RESUMED GROUP MEETINGS IN EARLY 2024.VETERINARY CARE PROGRAM:RANCHO COASTAL LAUNCHED ITS VET CARE PROGRAM IN JANUARY 2021. ORIGINAL FUNDING WAS PROVIDED BY A GRANT, AND SEVERAL FUNDING SOURCES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED SINCE INCEPTION. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT FOR SENIORS (60+) AND THEIR ADULT PETS. APPLICANTS MUST BE ON A FIXED OR LIMITED INCOME, LIVE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND PROVIDE PROOF OF INCOME AND A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FROM A LICENSED VETERINARY HOSPITAL. FINANCIAL COVERAGE IS CONSIDERED FOR URGENT/EMERGENCY VETERINARY CARE, X-RAYS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, MEDICATION, AND CERTAIN ONGOING OR CHRONIC CONDITIONS.
- $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMSSEE SCHEDULE OCOMMUNITY PROGRAMS: WITH THE OPENING OF CHARLOTTE'S MEDICAL CENTER, RANCHO COASTAL HAS EXPANDED ITS VETERINARY PROGRAM TO PROVIDE LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER SERVICES, VACCINATIONS AND MICROCHIPS TO LOCAL RESCUES AND HOSTS FREE COMMUNITY VACCINATION CLINICS TO PET OWNERS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. ADDITIONALLY, RANCHO COASTAL HAS ENTERED INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH DOGS ON DEPLOYMENT, PROVIDING VOUCHERED SERVICES FOR PETS OF ACTIVE MILITARY.
- $200,951 spent. KIDS PROGRAMS/ANIMAL CAMPSSEE SCHEDULE OKIDS PROGRAMS/ANIMAL CAMPS:ANIMALS ARE A SOURCE OF GREAT FASCINATION FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. RANCHO COASTAL ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR ANIMALS. THE HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOCUS ON TEACHING CHILDREN THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER CARE AND COMPASSION TOWARD THE ANIMALS THAT SHARE OUR WORLD. ALL OF THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED ARE GEARED TOWARDS EMBRACING CHILDREN'S NATURAL LOVE AND CURIOSITY ABOUT ANIMALS, WHILE FOSTERING A SENSE OF RESPECT AND KINDNESS FOR ALL LIFE.RANCHO COASTAL OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, INCLUDING THE KIDS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (KCS) FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, SHELTER TOURS, AND CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS. RANCHO COASTAL HAS A WHOLE LINE-UP OF CAMPS TO EXCITE AND EDUCATE CHILDREN. CAMPS ARE HELD DURING SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL SCHOOL BREAKS, AND ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN 6-14 YEARS OLD. CAMPS RUN IN THEMED, WEEK-LONG SESSIONS, AND ARE CONDUCTED BY TRAINED RANCHO COASTAL EDUCATORS. USING HANDS-ON GAMES, ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, GUEST SPEAKERS AND, OF COURSE, LIVE ANIMALS, CHILDREN ARE TAUGHT ABOUT CO-EXISTING WITH WILDLIFE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPANION AND NATIVE ANIMALS IN OUR WORLD.
- $90,370 spent. ANIMAL SAFEHOUSE PROGRAM:THE ANIMAL SAFEHOUSE PROGRAM (ASP) PROVIDES TEMPORARY CARE FOR PETS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A SUPPORT SERVICE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS WHICH ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT PETS. RANCHO COASTAL ACTIVELY COLLABORATES WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS, THE SAN DIEGO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL, THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES, CITY AND MUNICIPAL ANIMAL SHELTERS, THE SAN DIEGO FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, SAN DIEGO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAMS, SOCIAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, MILITARY, AND MANY OTHER AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO ERADICATE ABUSE AND HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. ASP HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR PETS OF VETERANS WHO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION BUT DECLINE TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ONE TO CARE FOR THEIR "COMPANIONS". BY ACCEPTING THEIR PETS INTO THE PROGRAM, RANCHO COASTAL IS HELPING VETERANS PURSUE ESSENTIAL MEDICAL CARE AT VA HOSPITALS AND TREATMENT CENTERS. IN MARCH 2020, RANCHO COASTAL EXTENDED ASP TO PROVIDE TEMPORARY CARE FOR PETS OF SENIORS FACING EMERGENCY HOSPITALIZATION AND COVID-19 PATIENTS ADMITTED FOR TREATMENT. IN DECEMBER 2021, ASP BECAME A PARTNER AT ONE SAFE PLACE, THE NORTH COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, PROVIDING PET SUPPLIES AND RESOURCES, DONATING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING, AND ORGANIZING TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PETS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLIENTS RECEIVING SUPPORT SERVICES FROM THIS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY AGENCY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1967.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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