Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: October 2025 Expires: October 2027

Cat Tales Wildlife Center

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 4 11
(509) 238-4126
17020 North Newport Highway
Mead, WA, 99021
https://cattales.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Cat Tales Wildlife Center does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

Cat Tales does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Receive a copy of the organization’s IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

Cat Tales does not meet this Standard because:

  • The treasurer of the board of directors is compensated directly.

Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Cat Tales does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the organization reported total revenue in the amount of $601,581 for the year ended June 30, 2024, Cat Tales states it does not have CPA-reviewed financial statements.

Cat Tales Wildlife Center meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide lifelong care for rescued, retired, and non-releasable exotic and native animals."

Year, State Incorporated:
1991, WA

Cat Tales Wildlife Center (Cat Tales) reports that it provides lifelong sanctuary for wild and exotic animals that cannot survive in the wild, including big cats, bears, foxes, lynx, and other species. The organization offers safe shelter, species-appropriate diets, daily enrichment, medical care, and secure habitat to support physical and behavioral needs for each animal. Cat Tales’ Wildlife Academy is a vocational training program that prepares students for careers in zookeeping, animal husbandry, and wildlife management. The Academy emphasizes hands-on experience in animal care, safety protocols, and conservation education. The organization also offers public tours, educational programs, and community outreach to foster a greater understanding of wildlife, stewardship, and conservation. In 2024, Cat Tales reports it provided care to over 40 rescued and non-releasable animals.

For the year ended June 30, 2024, Cat Tales Wildlife Center's program expenses were:

Animal care $301,646
Community education $142,572
Exhibit construction $73,819
Total Program Expenses $518,037

Chief Executive
Lisa Grey, Executive Director

Compensation*
$31,200

Chair of the Board
Ryan Wyche

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Partner, Rockwell Construction

Board Size
8

Paid Staff Size
6

*2024 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Note: According to the organization's IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2024, Deborah Wyche was the highest paid employee with total compensation of $28,000.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television

Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $444,132, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Cat Tales Wildlife Center's IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Source of Funds
Admission tickets $292,658
Contributions and grants $151,474
Gift shop sales $143,816
Wildlife Academy $13,600
Investment income $33
Total Income $601,581

Programs: 94% Fundraising: 3% Administrative: 2%

Total Income $601,581
Total expenses: $549,895
  Program expenses $518,037
  Fundraising expenses $18,858
  Administrative expenses $13,000
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $51,686
Beginning Net Assets $266,625
Other Changes In Net Assets $-334,143
Ending Net Assets $-15,832
Total Liabilities $162,001
Total Assets $146,169

Note: In the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to prior period adjustments in regard to accumulated depreciation.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance