Sea Star Horse Sanctuary
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Sea Star Horse Sanctuary will rescue, rehabilitate and provide lifetime sanctuary to horses & ponies at risk of needless slaughter, who are old and/or injured, or who have been abandoned with nowhere to go. All rescued horses & ponies will receive the best of care & management throughout the remaining years of their life. Sea Star Horse Sanctuary will seek to improve the quality of life of the horses & ponies at its sanctuary by providing quality feed & veterinary care ensuring the horses are properly exercised. Sea Star Horse Sanctuary provides members of the community with unique benefit of equine-assisted learning and through its programs, fosters transformative relationships between humans and horses.
- Income
- $192,062
- Spending
- $199,947
- Reserves
- -0.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 11 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 1805% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 June 30, 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 (3)
- $179,653 spent. Lifetime Sanctuary Program - Sea Star Horse Sanctuary takes into our permanent care, horses and ponies from guardians no longer able to care for them, horses suffering from neglect or abuse, and old and injured horses that are in danger of needless slaughter and have nowhere else to go. Each horse receives a comprehensive veterinary exam with diagnostics that includes blood work, parasite screening and radiographs. Each horse then receives the necessary medications, vaccines, deworming, dental care, specialized diets and supplements. Geriatric horses are supplied with protective leg wraps, orthopedic boots and ongoing osteoarthritis care. All horses receive regular veterinary care throughout the remainder of their lives. A group of 27 volunteers helps with daily grooming, exercise, training, holistic care, enrichment, feeding and stall cleaning.
- Anchor In at the Sanctuary Program - Our community mindfulness program, Anchor In at the Sanctuary, creates a space for members of the public to experience the sanctuary and find sanctuary for themselves. We focus on connecting to nature, to one self and to the horses through meditation, Reiki, eco-therapy and somatic practices. The sanctuary provides props and blankets for seated mediation. Trained facilitators volunteer their time to lead these experiences on select Saturday mornings from June through October.
- Equine - Guided Learning Program - Sea Star Horse Sanctuary offers learning-based activities with horses to local youth through our ongoing collaboration with CPY (Community Partnership for Youth). This program emphasizes connecting with horses as respected guides to foster the development of empathy, confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness in addition to learning the presented concepts and skills at hand. In this program, students focus on connecting to nature and to our herd through disguised educational lessons about horses including herd structure, horse communication and senses, and basic anatomy. We introduce them to the basics of horse care through grooming, nutrition and holistic care modalities. The sessions include a reflection, journal or art component. The sanctuary provides healthy snacks and art supplies.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 May 2018.
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 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.