Fieldhaven Feline Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mission statement: Engaging and empowering communities to ensure every cat has a safe place to live.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 484
- Highest pay
- $77,150, executive dir.
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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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 (2)
- $1.2 million spent. 1. Makenna Gwaltney Named Executive DirectorIn 2020, FieldHaven Feline Centers founder, Joy Smith, along with the Board of Directors, began formulating a succession plan in anticipation of Joys eventual retirement. The plan was thoughtfully crafted with an approximate five-year timeline. In 2024, as planned, Joy stepped down from her role as Executive Director and transitioned into the role of Founder and Ambassador. Makenna Gwaltney, who first joined FieldHaven in 2022 as Clinic Manager, was promoted to Executive Director. Makenna brings not only extensive experience in cat and kitten rescue but also the leadership skills and passion needed to continue expanding our mission.2. Dr. Jennifer Yee Appointed Medical DirectorThe departure of FieldHaven Feline Centers part-time Medical Director in early 2024 presented an opportunity to redesign the role for better integration with our programs. Shelter medicine is a unique and evolving field, and it is essential to have a veterinarian committed to providing the highest level of compassionate, quality care while also maintaining fiscal responsibility.Dr. Jennifer Yee joined us in mid-2024, bringing experience from both private practice and nonprofit veterinary medicine. Her commitment to collaboration and continuous learning aligns perfectly with FieldHavens philosophy: For every cat in need, a solution.3. Opened the Fungal Jungle A Treatment Center for RingwormRingworm poses a significant challenge in shelter settings due to its high contagion rate and lengthy (5+ week) treatment and isolation period. Although completely curable, it has been difficult to manage within the limited space of our main shelter and foster homes, where strict treatment protocols can be hard to enforce.In 2024, we repurposed a separate area of FieldHavens property to create The Fungal Junglea dedicated treatment center for cats and kittens with ringworm. Since its opening in late spring, weve seen a significant reduction in re-infections, cross-infections, and treatment times.4. FIP Stars Program Expanded to Partner with Local VeterinariansNot long ago, Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) was a 100% fatal disease, typically affecting cats between four months and two years of age. In 2017, a team at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital developed a treatment with an 85% success rate. However, this medication was not initially approved for use in the United States, leading to underground treatment routes not legally accessible to veterinarians.In mid-2024, a legal treatment became available in the U.S., allowing FIP Stars to directly support cat owners in receiving care from an expanding network of FIP-knowledgeable veterinarians. FieldHaven began helping families access this lifesaving treatment while also continuing to educate veterinary professionals unfamiliar with FIP treatments so they can better assist their clients.5. Inaugural Donor Appreciation Fair August 2024As a 100% privately funded nonprofitwith no municipal or government operations fundingFieldHaven relies heavily on donor support. Keeping our supporters engaged and informed about the depth of our work can be challenging.This inspired our first Donor Appreciation Fair in August 2024: a day-long event on FieldHavens grounds that showcased the impact of our donors. Staff led demonstrations and tours of their programs, and we opened our doors to celebrate our community. The event was a tremendous success and will now become an annual tradition.6. Hathaway Spay/Neuter Clinic Regains Full Capacity for the First Time Since the Pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the veterinary industry, stalling community spay/neuter efforts and creating critical staffing shortages. Under the leadership of Makenna Gwaltney and Dr. Jennifer Yee, FieldHaven not only restored our pre-pandemic surgical capacity but exceeded it.Today, the Hathaway Spay/Neuter Clinic continues to grow its capacity daily, representing a major milestone in community animal welfare efforts.
- $113,803 spent. FieldHaven Feline Center continued operating the FieldHaven Marketplace (thrift store opened in 2013) which provided further support to the Center's programs.
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 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 2024.
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 October 2004.
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.