Better Business Bureau Report for
Pets In Need

Better Business Bureau Report issued August 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires August 2013


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Pets In Need
Address: P.O. Box 58
  Ringwood, IL 60072-9901
Phone: 815-728-1462
Web Address: www.petsinneedmidwest.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1991, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "To Champion the Humane Treatment of Domesticated Animals." We seek to aid people in the community by raising awareness on the importance of spaying or neutering of pets, educating the public on animal safety for children, facilitating the adoption of pets by senior citizens, and by expressing responsibility and humane treatment of animals.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Pets In Need does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 8: Program Service Expense Ratio - Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

Pets In Need does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to the its IRS Form 990-EZ for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the organization spent $74,634 or 59% of its total expenses ($127,172) on program service activities.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Pets in Need does not meet this standard because a review is required.

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Pets In Need does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Pets In Need does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.petsinneedmidwest.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Pets In Need does not meet this Standard because:

Pets In Need does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.petsinneedmidwest.org does not indicate:

  • What personal information is being collected and how it will be used.
  • How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
  • How to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, finances, solicitation materials, and fundraising disclosures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 10Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 19.
Pets In Need meets the remaining 4 Standards for Charity Accountability. Please note that as of the date of this report 1 out of the 20Standards for Charity Accountability are not currently effective. As a result, this standard has not been applied to this evaluation.
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Programs

              

Pets In Need is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter. We are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c-3) charitable organization, which allows donations to be tax deductible. Incorporated in October of 1991, our mission continues to be "To Champion the Humane Treatment of Domesticated Animals." We seek to aid people in the community by raising awareness on the importance of spaying or neutering of pets, educating the public on animal safety for children, facilitating the adoption of pets by senior citizens, and by expressing responsibility and humane treatment of animals.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Pets In Need's program expenses were:

  
Program Services 74,634
Total Program Expenses: $74,634
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Governance

              

Chief Executive :
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board:
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size:

Paid Staff Size:

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:


Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $100,106, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on Pets In Need's IRS Form 990-EZ for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds  
Contribtions, Gifts, Grants, and Similar amounts received 100,106
Program Services 37,165
Investment Income 405
Total Income $137,676


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 59%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 40% 

Total income   $137,676
  Program expenses $74,634
  Fund raising expenses 1,576
  Administrative expenses 50,962
 
Total expenses   $127,172
Income in Excess of Expenses   10,504
Beginning net assets   60,848
Ending net assets   71,352
Total liabilities   81,751
Total assets   $153,103


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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