People who run dog rescues are a rare breed.
Starting a rescue to save dogs from euthanization and find them homes requires that they:
- forfeit time with their family
- spend thousands of dollars to keep their rescue running if donations drop off
- must be on call 24/7
- view firsthand the cruelty and negligence some people inflict their dogs
- drive long distances to save a dog facing euthanization in a shelter
Saving abused, sick, unwanted dogs and finding them homes does offset some of these sacrifices.
But make no mistake, running a dog rescue is tough work, and it can wear down even the most ardent dog rescuer both emotionally and financially.
On top of the challenges they face, dog rescuers must comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Most of these laws concern what rescuers must do if they want their rescue classified as a 501c3 charity.
Desiderata Rescue founder Miriam Kelly blatantly ignores these laws and appears to run the rescue with no government oversight.
IRS Disclosure Requirements for Charities
Organizations granted 501c3 status are exempt from paying federal income tax as well as state income, property, and/or sales taxes. Donors can also make tax deductible contributions to these charities.
In return for these benefits, charities must file annual tax returns with the IRS. Some must also file state returns.
In addition, they must make their last 3 tax returns and formation documents available to anyone who requests them.
Miriam Kelly, however, doesn’t think these rules apply to her or Desiderata Rescue.
Although the Washington Secretary of State’s office shows the Desiderata Rescue account has been terminated, Miriam Kelly still runs the rescue from Tacoma.
Ms. Kelly started Desiderata Rescue around 2016. The rescue’s stated goal is to pull dogs and cats from overcrowded, high kill animal shelters in Texas and find them homes in Washington.
Based on several documents I found online, Ms. Kelly fraudulently portrays Desiderata Rescue as a tax exempt, 501c3 charity and currently operates the rescue in violation of both federal and state statutes.
501c3 Charity Designation Revoked
On May 15, 2019, the IRS revoked Desiderata Rescue’s charity designation.
The IRS revoked the 501c3 status for Desiderata Rescue last May.
This meant Desiderata Rescue could no longer bill itself as a 501c3 charity or claim donations were tax deductible.
The IRS took this action because Desiderata Rescue failed to send tax returns to the agency for 3 years.
Missing 1 year could have been an oversight.
Missing 2 years might have been sloppy bookkeeping.
Missing 3 years indicates to me that the rescue doesn’t want the IRS or the public to see its financial records. Or maybe it has no financial records.
I emailed Miriam Kelly to find out whether or not the IRS still considers Desiderata Rescue a 501c3 charity. Here’s our email exchange:
Seattle DogSpot: “Could you please tell me if Desiderata Rescue is still registered as a 501c3 charity? Both the IRS and the WA Attorney General websites show that the group’s tax exempt status has been revoked so I wanted to check with you to see if that information is accurate. And if it is accurate, is the rescue registered under another name?”
Miriam Kelly: “Out of fodder for your lousy blog, huh? Do not harass me again.”
Seattle DogSpot: “This isn’t harassment. Just trying to determine if you’re operating legally in Washington. If you can’t/won’t provide anything showing the rescue is properly registered I’ll just go with the information I have.”
Miriam Kelly: “I have repeatedly asked you to not email me so yes this is harassment. I don’t care what information you want. You are a blogger who thinks you have some sort of authority. But you are just a slimy weasel. If you wanted to be a real journalist, you would expose (redacted) for the fraud she is but you are too busy sucking her dick. Now, do NOT email me again. Ever.”
Needless to say, she never answered my question.
Desiderate Rescue Falsely Claims Donations are Tax Deductible
Even though the IRS revoked her rescue’s designation as a 501c3 charity almost a year ago, Miriam Kelly continues to claim Desiderata Rescue is a charity and contributions to it are tax deductible.
Desiderata Rescue’s Donation Requests Violate Washington Regulations
Although Ms. Kelly conducts most of Desiderata Rescue’s work from her home in Tacoma, the rescue is and always has been registered in Texas.
The Washington Secretary of State’s office told me that charities posting fundraisers in Washington must register with the Secretary of State’s Charity program and must meet the disclosures that the law requires.
Desiderata Rescue isn’t registered to operate in Washington and doesn’t follow fundraising disclosure rules.
Here are the disclosure requirements you must when fundraising for a 501c3 charity:
- The name of the person making the request
- The charitable organization and the city of its principal place of business
- The published number and web site of the Secretary of State’s office, if requested, for the donor to obtain additional financial or other information on file with the secretary at 1-800-332-4483 www.sos.wa.gov/charities
More proof that the Washington Secretary of State’s office terminated Desiderata Rescue’s account last May.
The Offices of both the Washington Secretary of State and the Attorney General told me they have sent notices to Ms. Kelly about her illegal fundraising on behalf of Desiderata Rescue.
To the best of my knowledge, no one responded to the notices.
Still Ignoring Fundraising Regulations
Because she never sent tax returns to the IRS, we have no idea how much money Ms. Kelly raised for the rescue or where the money went.
Desiderata’s constant funding requests violate Washington statues.
Ms. Kelly also continues to flout federal and state laws by operating the rescue and posting fundraisers despite the fact that:
- The IRS revoked Desiderata Rescue’s charity status
- Desiderata Rescue is based in Texas and isn’t a registered charity in Washington
- The rescue’s business license has expired in Texas and Washington
Recently she brought a bunch puppies to Washington and sold them for $600 apiece.
Shut Down Rescues That Break Laws
I understand how tough it is to run an animal rescue. I also understand that filing documents and financial information can be a huge pain in the ass that takes time away from saving dogs.
Still, the vast majority of animal rescues have no problem following laws regardless of how difficult it is. And the public should be able to see financial information of public, tax exempt organizations that get tax deductible donations.
Rescuing dogs doesn’t give you a free pass to run your organization with no oversight.
Washington should shut down animal rescues that ignore the law and hold the people running them accountable.
Yet another funding request.
When i was doing rescue and vetting and the whole nine, i had ppl asking me where to donate, because i was not a 501 3c non profit i always told the ppl to donate any funds directly to the vets office under the animals id have at that moment . i kept my personal pets accounts totally seperate from the rescues and the rescues was under my last name and rescue babies name. Others made it very difficult to start a rescue here in yakima. But i let folks also know it wasnt tax deductible and that i was doing it mostly from out of pocket because at the time i was able to do so. Ppl like that are the ones who make it harder for those who do keep reciepts and paper work that shows where every penny has been spent (from vets office and even from others who donated food supplies and such). I know another rescue in yakima that has changed her rescues name several times claims to be a non profit but cant find records of that rescue anywhere and shes been caught with several animals not signed over by owners but were chipped and signature forged and ppl and other rescuers and rescues are still dealing with her. Makes no sence to me.
Are you talking about Rising Mastiff?
I am really sad to see this. I have known Miriam for 5 years thru rescue. I fostered a deaf dog from death row in TX. I Found a wonderful home for her. My dachshunds are all rescues. I don’t recall her ever telling me that she was tax exempt. I like funds that get donated to go to the vet directly. Keeps things on the up and up. Very sorry to see this.
This blog constantly posts false information about Desiderata Rescue and spreads lies regarding the animals. She is working hard to get these animals healthy and rescued from horrific situations.
Please point out what false information I published.
I am super interested in why you are slandering a rescue who is saving animals. Based off of the way you type and respond to others with differing opinions than yours, it seems as if you have a direct problem with Miriam. Desiderata Rescue is saving animals and you are out here trying to shame them, SHAME ON YOU! These sick pets are very unfortunate but what about the thousands of others she’s saved? Of course pets can get sick on transport, it’s extremely stressful. Yet again, SHAME ON YOU!
Slander is deliberately lying about someone. Please let me know what I wrote that isn’t true. You appear to acknowledge that she has sold sick pets to people. Also, you act like rescues have no control over adopting out sick dogs. Not true. Lots of rescues that adopt out more dogs than Desiderata rarely, if ever adopt out sick dogs. And if for someone reason a dog on one of their transports is sick, they treat it and don’t allow it to be adopted until it’s well. If you’re going to rescue dogs, do it the right way and don’t allow people to adopt sick dogs. Fix the problem instead of yelling at the people who point it out.
Still waiting for examples of the “lies” I spread.
As an animal lover and veterinary worker I must say, shame on YOU! Your blog claims to care about the well-being of pets but your article consists of bashing a rescue that’s goal is to actually save pets. You seem to care a lot about the financial aspects and not about the actual well-being of the animals. It also seems like you have a personal problem with the rescue owner! I would assume your a grown man hiding behind your computer screen, slandering a rescue that has helped AND continues to help an immense amount of pets. I would also like to bring up that you must not know too much about animals, funny that you choose to run a blog about animals. Of course pets are bound to get sick during transports they are extremely stressful however, the numbers do not compare to the number of healthy, happy pets this rescue has helped find their forever home! With any rescue, business, etc. unfortunate things are set to happen. If you want to actually help animals, get off your computer & donate your time and money to a rescue! Get a life!
As I said last May, please point out whatever I’ve written that isn’t true.
Also, just because you start a rescue doesn’t make you a saint or prevent you from being criticized. If you want to run a rescue, do it the right way.
Although the Washington Secretary of State’s office shows the Desiderata Rescue account has been terminated, Miriam Kelly still runs the rescue from Tacoma.
Is she working with the puppy flipping family that keeps selling parvo infected dogs to the public from 700 to 800 to 2k dollars?
Ginger’s Pet Rescue does the same thing.
Why aren’t these ladies arrested???
How are all the people selling puppies on Craigslist without a license not arrested???They’ve made millions and most if not all their puppies are infected with parvo. No one is doing anything about it.
We certainly try.
We just rescued a puppy from Desiderata a few months ago. She was $700 and had three (!!!) parasites when we got her. She’s an amazing dog and we are so glad she’s part of our family, but the whole adoption process was very last minute and not very professional. We also had to email after we got her to request vet records as she didn’t come with any kind of papers.
I’m so sorry. I’ve heard several stories similar to yours. Do you have any info about your interaction with Desiderata you can send me?
I purchased a dog from her in 2018. It became clear she is running a scam as we sat in the parking lot of the dog park waiting for her to show up for a meet and greet with a four month old Pit-Dane. She showed up with a sick, filthy puppy, covered in cat poop and gritty kitty, two hours late. She blamed “the foster family”. She “dropped” the price from $600 to$550, because the paperwork “was not in order”. She handed over a file folder with a printout of of the website ad for the pup, and a baggie of what she claimed was doxycycline. She wanted cash, but who the hell goes to a park in Tacoma with that much cash? So we did a credit card transaction via her Facebook website as a donation, and I walked out of the park with the dog.
I’m so sorry. I hope your dog is ok now. Cash only rescues should raised red flags for adopters. If the rescue doesn’t have a bank account for checks, the money is most likely going right into someone’s pocket, right Miriam Kelly?
Miriam Kelly is now living and operating out of Seminole, Oklahoma. She still continues to send dogs to Washington, the Tacoma and Tukwila areas. Heartworm positive dogs she sends to Portland, Oregon where the Washington adopters come down and pick up their dogs off of the transport vehicle and then take them back to Washington State. These dogs are being taken by adopters and there are no health certificates that go with these dogs. So far she has screwed 2 transport companies and continues to try to get everything done for no cost and the vulgarity that comes out of her if you disagree is unbelievable.
I have seen multiple offers from her to take whole litters of mixed breed pups from people advertising them. Guessing they become high dollar adoptions
I sent you an email.
We adopted one from her and she was/is incredibly healthy. Most rescues have a rather high adoption fee to cover all the cost of vetting, care and spay/neuter
Some people don’t have any problems when they adopt from Desiderata but that doesn’t excuse them from selling sick dogs or kittens. And most rescues do cover those things but charge a lot less.
We adopted from Desiderata Rescue in May of 2020 and had a very positive experience with Miriam Kelly. Clear communication the whole way through the process. Our adopted 6mos old pup was chipped, vetted and had all his paperwork provided to us. We took the pup to our vet to also have him looked over and put on a health plan. Absolutely no issues and we are thrilled with the new addition to our family.
There are simply not enough rescuers out there and the work is hard. I’m grateful for rescuers who work so hard to give these animals a chance at a good life.
I’m glad you had a good experience. Many others haven’t.
I would be interested to know how many positive adoptions have happened vs negative ones.
I can only speak from my own experience but I’m very happy with our adoption and the process was smooth.
I don’t have that information but I have posted messages from people who had successful adoptions. However, she has repeatedly sold sick dogs/cats to adopters who had to spend thousands on vet care. Some have them died. To do that as a supposed rescue group is unfathomable. Properly run rescues don’t sell sick dogs. They don’t sell animals out of the back of a van to people they haven’t met. They don’t allow people they haven’t met to foster their animals. They’re registered with the state. They file tax returns with the IRS. They don’t fraudulently claim they’re a charity.
As I’ve said repeatedly, this is an illegal rescue that sells sick dogs. Having successful adoptions doesn’t change that.
The animals that she adopted out that were sick and died didn’t have that chance.
Miriam Kelley is running her rescue here in Seminole Oklahoma! I know who she is and have seen first hand the conditions these animals live in! It is nasty animals in their own feces. I have video and pictures I have tried to get her investigated multiple times. Nothing is ever done! I wish some one could help!
I sent you an email.
I think you should post some of them so the public can get involved
More people will get involved if you let them see for themselves
I can also only speak from experience as well. My oldest and his gf adopted a dog who after they got her found out she was extremely sick with parvo and had a 25% chance of living. Other dogs in that transport (over 200 pups as the transporter people were awful) were also sick. After the dogs were adopted, Miriam covered medical expenses for each and every sick dog. I know for their dog, medical expenses were well over $5k. Looking at this one sided, it would seem she is making bank selling dogs at $600 but the other side is all of the expenses that we don’t see including medical costs which is very expensive.
I agree that she should follow whatever requirements are legally required but our family supports what she is doing nonetheless.
She was recently contacted by a police officer in another state who said he was called out to a job to shoot a bunch of puppies (legal in his state). The officer was so upset and couldn’t do it and after searching found Miriam’s contact info. Those puppies are now saved and will hopefully find their way to WA where they can find their forever home.
Very thankful to Miriam and other people to dedicate their lives to saving animals.
I’m glad it worked out for you. Reputable rescues don’t consistently sell sick dogs. Desiderata Rescue does.
(1) You do not know if she paid medical expenses for all dogs infected. You about one – the dog your family member adopted. (2) When someone violates multiple federal and state laws, why are you ignoring that? I am on the board of two non-profits, one of which I founded with 2 other people. We are always in compliance with all laws. It isn’t that hard. (3) You choose to ignore the reports of many others about bad acts, including a woman in OK who says she has pictures because you had a good experience. That is illogical. (4) I have adopted four dogs from different rescues over the years, including one 3 years ago from a rescue that brought her from CA. That rescue is licensed and files all required tax forms and complies with the law. They vetted me before I could adopt and my dog had a health check before I could take her. I just fostered for that same organization and took the puppy to be sure she was healthy, chipped etc. before she could be advertised as available. THAT is what a reputable rescue does. That is NOT what this lady does, per your own story. (5) No one who is reputable sells dogs on Craigslist and sure as hell not a rescue. (6) $700 per another lady is an absolute ridiculous charge for a rescue when they aren’t even housed here. I have never paid more than $350.00. Maybe it would be higher now but not $700.
We have been trying to adopt a dog from her, at the price of $700.00 thru paypal. I just sent her a text to tell her we are ready to pay and would like to come and visit the dog. In an earlier communication she said the puppy would be ready by the 31st of December. I texted her now and the dog is adopted and gone when she told us we would be the ones it was available for. I have the feeling she doesn’t share all the info candidly.
This isn’t the first time she’s done that. There are other reliable rescues with puppies. Please don’t buy one from Desiderata.