Tenth Life Cat Rescue
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TENTH LIFE PROVIDES VETERINARY CARE, FOSTER HOMES, AND ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT TO STRAY CATS AND KITTENS, PRIORITIZING THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO END UNNECESSARY EUTHANASIA AND CAT HOMELESSNESS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS.
- Income
- $448,600
- Spending
- $451,038
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 81
- Highest pay
- $65,600, 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 29% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $237,971 spent. DURING 2024, 225 TENTH LIFE CATS FOUND FOREVER HOMES THROUGH ADOPTION AND ANOTHER 114 WERE CONTINUING TO BE CARED FOR BY TENTH LIFE AND ITS DEDICATED FOSTERS. OF THOSE ADOPTED, SOME REQUIRED SPECIAL MEDICAL CARE AND REHABILITATION DURING THEIR TIME AT TENTH LIFE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE: BOTTLE FED NEONATES, INJURED PAWS, LIMBS, AND TAILS, DEFORMITIES AND NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE NEEDING SPECIALIZED CARE, HEART MURMURS REQUIRING MEDICATION, AND VISION IMPAIRMENTS. THE STORY OF EACH CAT IS UNIQUE BUT EACH ONE ENDED WITH A CAT BEING PLACED IN A HOME WHERE THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE LIVES THEY DESERVE.
- TENTH LIFE BELIEVES THAT HUMANE EDUCATION CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WELCOME STUDENT, SOCIAL, CORPORATE, AND CIVIC GROUPS TO LEARN ABOUT HOW WE CAN ALL POSITIVELY IMPACT CATS' LIVES. IN 2024, TENTH LIFE CODUCTED EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR YOUTH GROUPS AND REGULARLY HOSTED SERVICE HOURS FOR AN ANIMAL WELFARE STUDENT ORGANIZATION. OUR TENTH LIFE CAT COMPANIONS PROGRAM BROUGHT CATS TO RESIDENTIAL PATIENTS AT 1 LOCATION.
- $113,864 spent. TENTH LIFE CAT RESCUE CURRENTLY LEASES A STOREFRONT LOCATION IN SAINT LOUIS THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY APPOINTMENT AND NON-APPOINTMENT TIMES ONE SATURDAY PER MONTH FROM 12PM-2PM. THIS LOCATION HOUSES, ON AVERAGE, 20 CATS AND KITTENS IN A CAGE-FREE ENVIRONMENT. THE STOREFRONT IS DESIGNED TO REFLECT A TYPICAL HOME ATMOSPHERE WITH LIVING ROOM/GATHERING SPACES AND PROVIDES GUESTS AND VOLUNTEERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SOCIALIZE WITH CATS, CONDUCT SERVICE PROJECTS, AND PROVIDE VALUABLE HUMANE EDUCATION TO YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.