Protecting Paws for Life
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Protecting Paws for Life is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, operating in the state of Florida, dedicated to supporting domestic violence shelters in becoming or maintaining fear free pet-friendly environments. Our mission is to ensure that families in crisis can stay together with their pets; preventing pets from being left behind and facing potential abuse, neglect, or even death, as well as avoiding being turned over to an already overpopulated and overburdened animal shelter system.
- Income
- $15,918
- Spending
- $16,478
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 4.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (6)
- $5,872 spent. Staff Training - working with DV shelter staff and training them on basic animal care & handling, kennel design, cleaning protocols and understanding behavior. Dog training - working one on one with survivors and helping them understand trauma-informed behavior in their dogs while working through behavior challenges
- $5,758 spent. Supply delivery - each month, each shelter places an order for supplies needed for pets in their care and/or for individual survivors needing supplies. We deliver any items needed including food, bowls, beds, crates, carriers, leashes, collars, harnesses, toys, treats, litter, litter boxes, scratching posts, flea/tick treatment, potty pads, blankets and grooming supplies. Most of the supplies are donated to us through community outreach. Veterinary Care - we provide for wellness care requested through our partners. We cover basic wellness, vaccines, supplements and minor infections such as eye, ear, skin.
- Staff Training - working with DV shelter staff and training them on basic animal care & handling, kennel design, cleaning protocols and understanding behavior. Dog training - working one on one with survivors and helping them understand trauma-informed behavior in their dogs while working through behavior challenges
- Supply delivery - each month, each shelter places an order for supplies needed for pets in their care and/or for individual survivors needing supplies. We deliver any items needed including food, bowls, beds, crates, carriers, leashes, collars, harnesses, toys, treats, litter, litter boxes, scratching posts, flea/tick treatment, potty pads, blankets and grooming supplies. Most of the supplies are donated to us through community outreach.
- Veterinary Care - we provide for wellness care requested through our partners. We cover basic wellness, vaccines, supplements and minor infections such as eye, ear, skin.
- Project Pup Program - launched in Oct 25, expanding on our care for trauma-informed behavior in dogs; we've partnered with Pinellas County Animal Services to work with dog candidates for behavioral euthanasia to turn them around and get them adopted. We have also created a model for treat dispensing tubes to be placed on the kennels to help with reactivity in the shelter environment.
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
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 December 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 September 2024.
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.
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.