Puppies Behind Bars

Based on its 2022 tax return, we calculate Puppies Behind Bars has net assets equal to 5.5 times its annual budget of $3.4 million. This may be an indication that the group is spending too little of its donations on programs. We recommend net assets exceed no more than 3 years of the group’s annual budget. Read more about our rating system here.

We do not recommend giving to Puppies Behind Bars. See our lists of Highly Recommended Charities and Recommended Charities for alternatives.

Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, as well as explosive-detection canines for law enforcement. Puppies enter prison at the age of 8 weeks and live with their inmate puppy-raisers for approximately 24 months. As the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs, their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it.