Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Cats Meow

EIN 20-0704049 · Anacortes, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Cat's Meow is a cat adoption center in Anacortes, WA. We are dedicated to reducing the number of homeless cats on Fidalgo and Guemes Islands by providing proactive and effective animal welfare services for cats.

Income
$342,615
Spending
$351,419
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 73%
Employees
7
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$68,440, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    2 of 2 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $193,718 spent. In 2024, the Cat's Meow admitted 85 cats and kittens and placed 61 cats and kittens in new homes. In addition, 3 cats were returned to their owners, 16 cats were released to feral colonies and 6 cats were euthanized or died due to terminal medical conditions. All cats and kittens adopted from the Cat's Meow are spayed or neutered and microchipped prior to adoption.
  2. $114,706 spent. The Cat's Meow operates a thrift shop, Thrifty Kitty. All proceeds support the organization's mission.
  3. $323 spent. The Cat's Meow provides free spay/neuter and other assistance to residents of Fidalgo and Guemes Islands. In 2024, the Cat's Meow provided emergency medical care for one cat.
  4. $2,187 spent. The Cat's Meow continues to manage several feral cat colonies within our city limits. Colony populations have been stable for several years. Feral cats are provided with shelter, fresh food and water daily and medical care when needed.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.