Pet Partners does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
Pet Partners does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the board of directors held three meetings during 2019, only one of these meetings was held in-person.
Pet Partners meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
BBB WGA Comment
In finding that Pet Partners meets Standard 10, BBB WGA considered the fact that, although the organization's total unrestricted assets in 2018 were $19,100,654 which is 5.5 times its total expenses for that year, the majority of these assets were made up of a one-time bequest given during that year. The charity received a bequest in the amount of $14,368,805. In response to questions from BBB WGA, Pet Partners described its plan to spend down enough of these assets within three years to be below the 3-times ratio for Standard 10, while also maintaining part of the initial gift for long-term use.
Pet Partners' Therapy Animal Program trains volunteers and evaluates them with their pets for visiting animal programs in places such as hospitals, nursing homes, veterans' centers, and schools. While dogs make up the largest number of therapy animal teams, the organization reports that it also registers cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, birds, llamas and alpacas, pigs, and rats. Additionally, the Therapy Animal Program provides continuing educational materials, supports animal welfare and health initiatives, and requires all therapy animal teams to renew registration every two years. Pet Partners' reports that it has over 13,000 registered teams that make more than 3 million visits annually.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Pet Partners's program expenses were:
| Therapy Animal Program |
$2,512,476 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,512,476 |
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Chief Executive
Catherine Peters, President and CEO
-
Compensation*
$261,294
-
Chair of the Board
Michael Sapp
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former Pet Retail Executive
-
Board Size
23
-
Paid Staff Size
32
*2018 compensation as reported by the charity includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $15,924,019, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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.
The following information is based on Pet Partners's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Bequests |
$14,395,337 |
| Corporation and foundation contributions |
$773,980 |
| Individual contributions |
$618,931 |
| Registrations and workshops |
$555,025 |
| In-kind contributions |
$135,771 |
| Investment Income |
$96,821 |
| Merchandise sales |
$60,553 |
| Other income |
$14,695 |
| Total Income |
$16,651,113 |
- Programs: 73%
- Fundraising: 17%
- Administrative: 10%
| Total Income |
$16,651,113 |
| Program expenses |
$2,512,476 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$583,906 |
| Administrative expenses |
$349,072 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$3,445,454 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$13,205,659 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$8,454,768 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$21,406,304 |
| Total Liabilities |
$535,406 |
| Total Assets |
$21,941,710 |
Note: According to Pet Partners' audited financial statements 2018, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $135,771 in the form of donated goods ($135,246) and professional fees, travel expenses, and other ($525).