UPDATE: San Antonio Pets Alive! has issued an urgent warning about a fake GoFundMe page created without their consent, raising concerns over potential scams. The nonprofit organization is calling on GoFundMe to address this critical issue immediately.
Executive Director Bob Citrullo expressed his shock upon discovering the unauthorized page, stating, “Every dollar is vital to take care of these animals that we’re saving.” He fears that unsuspecting donors may be misled, jeopardizing future contributions. “If I was a donor, I’d be very curious and concerned,” Citrullo added.
The bogus fundraising page reportedly generated over $1,300 for the organization. However, Citrullo revealed they have no access to these funds and are urging the platform to refund donors so they can contribute through legitimate channels on the San Antonio Pets Alive! website.
In a statement provided to KSAT 12, GoFundMe confirmed that the unauthorized page has been removed and assured that all funds collected have been redirected to San Antonio Pets Alive! via the Paypal Giving Fund. GoFundMe emphasized their commitment to supporting nonprofits but acknowledged that their recent efforts to create nonprofit pages have caused concern among organizations.
“Nonprofit Pages are now opt-in only,” a GoFundMe spokesperson stated. They assured that only nonprofits that complete the verification process will be visible on the platform. Additionally, pages that were not claimed have been de-indexed, meaning they will no longer appear in search results.
Citrullo urged the public to verify donation channels before contributing, advising, “Honestly go to the organization’s website.” San Antonio Pets Alive! reiterated that they only accept donations directly through their official site.
As this story develops, potential donors are encouraged to stay vigilant and ensure their contributions support legitimate causes. Follow updates for more information on this urgent matter.
