Animal nonprofit CEO pay draws fresh scrutiny in 2025 ranking

The Canine Review has published its year-end 2025 ranking of the 10 highest-paid chief executives at U.S. animal nonprofits, using each organization’s most recent publicly available IRS Form 990 filings. The list puts San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance at the top, followed by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, World Wildlife Fund-U.S., and the ASPCA, where CEO Matthew Bershadker was listed at $1,203,267. The article also notes that American Humane’s Robin Ganzert appeared on the list, and that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance disclosed first-class and/or private jet travel for executives in its 2024 filing. CharityWatch separately lists ASPCA CEO compensation at $1,226,402 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and American Humane CEO compensation at $745,352 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, underscoring how rankings can shift depending on filing year and compensation definitions. (thecaninereview.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, stories like this land at the intersection of animal welfare, donor trust, and workforce morale. Large nonprofits often argue that complex, national operations require competitive executive compensation, and Charity Navigator explicitly cautions donors against judging a charity by CEO pay alone. At the same time, watchdogs and critics continue to question whether seven-figure packages and executive travel align with mission-driven expectations in animal welfare, especially as clinics, shelters, and rescue partners face persistent staffing and funding pressure. (charitynavigator.org)

What to watch: Expect more scrutiny as additional 2024 and 2025 Form 990 filings become public and as donors, boards, and partner organizations compare compensation against governance, outcomes, and frontline investment. (aspca.org)