Does it feel like each time you scroll through Facebook or Instagram, you see nothing but heartbreaking photos of homeless pets? This reflects the reality of animal welfare today. Our shelters are full, intake seems endless, and adoptions have slowed. Many organizations ask you to donate, but where does your money actually go? Believe it or not, disingenuous people are profiting from the plight of our nation’s homeless pets. 

Worthy groups and organizations ask for lifesaving sponsorships and legitimately utilize the money. But how do you know which groups are honest and which are not? Which ones are using homeless pets to collect cash while cutting corners to make a profit? Simply obtaining a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS does not make a group or organization credible. You must dig deeper to ensure your donation goes where you intended. 

For example, I frequently see groups asking the public to sponsor a pet so they can pull it from a particular shelter. Before you consider donating, call the shelter where the pet is located to confirm their relationship with the group. Sadly, many shelters have reported that groups ask for sponsorships, receive them and never actually pull the pet. Groups may also fundraise for medical care for a pet in the shelter, yet the shelter never receives the money. If the pet’s location is not shared, walk away. Credible groups are happy to share information to gain your support and earn your trust.  

Another place to be cautious is fundraising for severe medical cases for individual pets, not in a shelter. Pictures of dogs with severe mange or horrific wounds make us want to help. First consider whether you know the group fundraising. Are there pictures of outcomes on their website or social media pages? Is there an option to donate directly to the veterinary office treating the pet? If you feel compelled to help, call the animal shelter closest to the group and ask for a reference. If the local shelter is avoiding the group, you should too.  

Here are tips to consider before you click and fund: 

1. Talk to previous adopters from the group to understand the organization’s process and the pets’ condition when they were adopted.   
2. Review adoption fees on their website. Is the group asking for a hefty sponsorship to pull a pet and later charging an expensive adoption fee?   
3. Do they have a rehoming policy if adoptions don’t work out?  
4. Are they transparent about the number of animals in their care?  
5. Are their volunteers and fosters happy?  
6. Does the group communicate, responding promptly to messages and calls?  
7. Does the state where they are located have a registry or certification program they must participate in? If so, are they in good standing?  
8. What is the tone they use about animal shelters on their social media pages? Is it supportive or combative?  

If it does not feel right, it likely is not. There are so many trustworthy organizations that could use your support. Be sure to consider your local animal shelter when you are donating as a direct way to help pets in your community now and in the future.   

Want to make a broader impact? As you may know, BISSELL Pet Foundation is a national organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness. Unlike many organizations that apply a percentage of each donation to administration or advertising, we are proud to say, when you give to BPF, 100% of your contribution saves lives. 

Your financial support is crucial to pets in need, so please take the time to ensure your money truly goes to pets.  

Until every pet has a home,