Lakeshore Paws Inc

The information for Lakeshore Paws Inc is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '21. This organization is located in Valparaiso, IN. It has been in existence for 10 years, following its founding in 2011.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

Lakeshore Paws Inc is an organization that falls under the NTEE code D20, indicating that it is classified as Animal-Related. The organization's major classification is Animal Protection & Welfare, and its classification description states that it provides humane care, protection, and control of animals, as well as investigates instances of cruelty to animals. Lakeshore Paws Inc is also governed by section code 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, which encompasses Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Testing for Public Safety, to Foster National or International Amateur Sports Competition, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals Organizations. The mission of Lakeshore Paws Inc is to prevent the suffering and cruelty to animals.

Program Areas

The organization's program area focuses on preventing suffering and cruelty to animals by operating a non-profit "no kill" animal shelter and low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Additionally, they aim to reduce the number of homeless animals in NW Indiana through the development of innovative programs, proactive adoptions, and targeted spay/neuter programs.

Organization Staffing

Lakeshore Paws Inc is run by Jeanne Sommer, who is the President. The organization has 40 employees, none of whom are paid more than $100k per year. Supporting the small staff are 150 volunteers.

Board Governance

Lakeshore Paws Inc, a non-profit organization, appears to be reasonably well-governed based on the information provided. The organization has a relatively small number of voting members, with four individuals making decisions on behalf of the organization. It is worth noting that the majority of the voting members, three out of four, are independent, which suggests a level of objectivity and impartiality in decision-making. Transparency and accountability are evident within Lakeshore Paws Inc. Both board meetings and committee meetings are documented, indicating a commitment to record-keeping and ensuring that decisions are well-documented. While the organization does not have a conflict of interest policy or require the disclosure of conflicts, the absence of potential conflicts of interest suggests that such policies may not be necessary at this time. However, there are certain areas where Lakeshore Paws Inc could improve its governance practices. The organization does not have a written whistleblower policy, which could be beneficial in encouraging individuals to report any misconduct or unethical behavior they may observe within the organization. Additionally, the absence of a document retention policy raises concerns about the organization's ability to properly store and manage important records. Overall, while Lakeshore Paws Inc demonstrates some positive governance practices, there are areas where the organization could enhance its policies and procedures to further strengthen its governance structure.

Organization Growth

Lakeshore Paws Inc, a nonprofit organization, has experienced growth over the given time period. Despite a decrease in contributions and grants received, the organization has seen an increase in investment income, other revenue, and total revenue. Additionally, the organization has expanded its workforce, with the number of employees increasing from 28 to 40. However, it is worth noting that the total expenses have also increased, indicating potential challenges in managing the organization's financial resources. Nonetheless, the consistent number of volunteers suggests a stable level of community support. Overall, Lakeshore Paws Inc has shown signs of growth and development over the specified time frame.