With a Golden Spirit Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
With A Golden Spirit, Inc (WAGS) is organized for the following purposes: 1. To provide caring homes for Golden Retrievers that are rescued from shelters, which are strays, unclaimed by owners after published notice, or that are relinquished by their owners to WAGS. Such orphans will be given immediate medical examination(s), updated immunizations, spayed or neutered (except for special circumstances as determined by a Veterinarian); carefully evaluated and adopted into compatible homes where assurances can be made that proper care will be continued. 2. To educate the public about the breed, the need for obedience lessons for all dogs and to advise and/or suggest further referrals where medical or behavioral problems exist. 3. To encourage, assist and provide guidelines to other purebred fanciers to form rescue programs. 4. To encourage responsible care for all dogs through public education. 5. Our motto - "We just don't rescue their body, we rescue their Spirit."
- Income
- $81,819
- Spending
- $68,661
- Reserves
- 40.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 40.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (7)
- We partner with other rescue organizations in the rescue and placement of orphan animals. We do not keep statistics on these accomplishments. However, on average, we receive request(s) for help daily - at a minimum several hundred orphans needing rescued. The requests received are through emails and social media platforms. A positive from COVID-19 was a decrease in the number of requests for help (surrenders). However, in 2025 the number of animals needing rescued have far exceeded our resources. Lastly, specificaly, for golden retrievers, we partner with numerous rescue organizations and we echo their same comments in that we had more requests for adoptions than orphans in rescue. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- Consult with and advise families and adopters on the behavour characteristics including temperment of golden retrievers. Provide general guidance on obedience training. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- Provide a home (hospice) to orphans who are in the twilight of their years - poor health or other related conditions. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- Although we rescue and adopt (our mission), the need for Hospice has increased. Specifically, of the orphans rescued over the past five years were all seniors (over ten). Moreover, each of these orphans come with various health challenges notwithstanding walking them across the Rainbow Bridge. Furthermore, we mentioned that in 2020 we had more applications for adoptions than available orphans. However, the adoption requests were for young goldens under five (5). Added to the above mentioned challenges was the rescue of four feral golden retrievers. At the opposite end of hospice was this challenge with feral goldens and still present a daily challenge thus they are not adoptable. Adding to the above mentioned challenges that in 2025 we continue to rescue mill golden retrievers that have presented challenges beyond our trainable resources. Specifically, these mill goldens have behavior challenges requiring many additional hours of training and love. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- As with the country, in general we were handicapped with the restrictions placed on us as a result of COVID-19. Although restrictions have been lifted, we are currently seeing increased number of orphan dogs being surrendered or dumped. Furthermore, the state of the economy and all shelters resulting in an over capacity, thus an ever increasing need for help. We echo the above mentioned comments in that the need for help has greatly increased in 2025 resulting in animals being dumped on the side of the road and euthanasia rates greatly increasing. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- Provide support for lost animals and the placement of less fortunate orphans other than golden retrievers. Subsequent to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, we have seen a large increase in the number of orphans requiring help. Specifically, the number being surrendered to shelters or dumped along roads. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
- Rescue golden retrievers and in emergency cases golden want-to be's, provided immediate medical treatment, shelter, spay/neuter, micro chip, vaccinations, spay or neuter, heartworm testing, food, obedience training and placement. The costs associated with the aforementioned are groupd under Total Expenses. Reference Schedule O.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.