Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center

What it reported doing in 2025

The organization now manages its own team of researchers who continue to evaluate the methods and successes of releasing endangered parrots monkeys and other species at Bosque Escondido Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica. Biologist from the team continue to educate rescue center staff and students on pre and post-release monitoring techniques. 29 students were trained in wildlife reintroduction and monitoring techniques. At the main rescue center in Alajuela Rescate continues to manage a veterinary internship-71 international students were trained in wildlife medicine. Also at the main center Rescate manages a Wildlife internship-89 students were trained in wildlife conservation and welfare. A new Conservation Course was developed at the rescue centers Dulce Bay release site in Costa Rica-8 students were trained in Wildlife Conservation techniques and methodology. Rescate received a grant to allow for Dr Sofia Astorga one of the rescue center staff veterinarians to engage in a week-long training session on avian medicine medicine at the National Aviary in the United States. Rescate also received a grant for one of the rescue center biologists to participate in the annual National Wildlife Rehabilitators Conference in the United States. Dr Pilar Fish a veterinarian from the National Aviary designed and implemented an intensive 5-day training session for the rescue center veterinarians on avian medicine.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.2%; rating input score 69
• Program expense ratio: 79.2%; rating input score 79
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.32 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 12.6%; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.52; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.34; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4%; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 22% per year; rating input score 100; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 21.3% per year; rating input score 100; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 23.1% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings