For the fourth straight year, the League for Animal Welfare has been awarded the highest rating by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of non-profit organizations. The ranking is based on such key factors as sound fiscal management, transparency and ethical standards.

“This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” Charity Navigator President/CEO Michael Thatcher stated in announcing the award.

“Only 10% of the charities we evaluate have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations,” Thatcher continued. “This exceptional designation…sets the League for Animal Welfare apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

Marilyn Goodrich, executive director of the League, said the four-star designation represents “the League’s commitment to the highest standards of excellence in every aspect of our work, from animal care to financial stewardship.”

The League for Animal Welfare operates the region’s first no-kill animal shelter for dogs and cats, established in 1949. Located in the Eastgate area, across from the Clermont County airport, the League found homes for more than 1,150 animals in 2016.