Sanctuary Animal Assisted Therapy
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
TO PROVIDE A THERAPEUTIC SANCTUARY CONNECTING HUMANS, ANIMALS, AND PLANTS WITH THE GOAL OF HEALING, BUILDING COMPASSION AND RESPECT BETWEEN ALL SENTIENT BEINGS.
- Income
- $151,600
- Spending
- $159,423
- Reserves
- -6.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 6 out of 100. Higher than 2% 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 887% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (1)
- $145,654 spent. OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE: 1) ANIMAL RESCUE - THE SANCTUARY TAKES IN UNWANTED, ABUSED, OR NEGLECTED ANIMALS AND HELPS THEM HEAL THROUGH MEDICAL AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS. WE HELP OUR ANIMALS TRUST PEOPLE AND IN RETURN THEY HEAL US. ALL OF OUR ANIMALS WILL LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES AT THE FARM KNOWING ONLY LOVE AND CARE. 2) NATURE ASSISTED THERAPY - ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IS A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION THAT INCORPORATES ANIMALS, SUCH AS HORSES, DOGS, CATS, PIGS, AND BIRDS, INTO THE TREATMENT PLAN. IT IS USED TO ENHANCE AND COMPLEMENT THE BENEFITS OF TRADITIONAL THERAPY. ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN BE A USEFUL INTERVENTION FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS. A META-ANALYSIS OF 49 STUDIES REPORTING ON ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOUND POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND OVERALL IMPROVED EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN THOSE WITH AUTISM, MEDICAL CONDITIONS, OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. ANOTHER REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED STUDIES FOUND THAT ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY CAN BE HELPFUL FOR THOSE BATTLING ILLNESSES LIKE DEPRESSION, SCHIZOPHRENIA, OR ADDICTION. HORTICULTURAL THERAPY (ALSO KNOWN AS SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE OR STH) IS DEFINED BY THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (AHTA) AS THE ENGAGEMENT OF A PERSON IN GARDENING AND PLANT-BASED ACTIVITIES, FACILITATED BY A TRAINED THERAPIST, TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT GOALS. THE VISUAL AESTHETICS OF PLANTS ARE KNOWN TO ELICIT FEELINGS OF INNER PEACE, WHICH GENERATES POSITIVE EMOTIONS TOWARD A MEANINGFUL APPRECIATION OF LIFE. DIRECT CONTACT WITH PLANTS GUIDES THE INDIVIDUAL'S FOCUS AWAY FROM STRESS ENHANCING THEIR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE. 3) LIFE AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING - THE SANCTUARY IS PRIMARILY OPERATED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH (DIS)ABILITIES FROM THE ADULT SKILLS CENTER. THIS CREATES INTEGRATED JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND PAID JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ANIMAL CARE INDUSTRY. CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL MISSION IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF LIVING A PERSONALLY PRODUCTIVE LIFE. THE SANCTUARY ALSO FACILITATES JOB SKILLS TRAINING SUCH AS WOODWORKING AND PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THROUGH EXERCISE AND HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES. 4) TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS IN THE AREAS OF PHILOSOPHY, COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS, AND PSYCHOLOGY. 5) THE SANCTUARY NOW SERVES ABOUT 50 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EVERY DAY. THE SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED TO ART, MUSIC AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIES. WE ALSO STARTED A GARDENING AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS PROGRAM. THE SANCTUARY TOOK IN 3 NEW ANIMALS IN THIS YEAR.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 April 2019.
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.