UPDATE: San Antonio Pets Alive! has issued an urgent warning regarding an unauthorized GoFundMe page falsely claiming to raise funds for their organization. This alarming revelation was confirmed earlier today by Executive Director Bob Citrullo, who expressed deep concern over the potential for donor deception.
The unauthorized page reportedly raised over $1,300 before it was removed. “Every dollar is vital to take care of these animals that we’re saving their lives,” Citrullo stated, highlighting the critical need for genuine donations. He emphasized the risks associated with unauthorized fundraising efforts, saying, “When people donate to something like this and then find out it’s a scam, they’ll be hesitant to donate in the future.”
This incident follows a recent move by GoFundMe, which created more than 1.4 million donation pages for U.S. nonprofits without prior consent. Citrullo criticized this approach, calling it “very misleading” and highlighting the necessity of nonprofit approval for fundraising efforts.
In response to the uproar, a GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed that the San Antonio Pets Alive! page has been removed and that all funds raised through it have been redirected to the organization via the Paypal Giving Fund. “We understand clearly that our recent efforts with Nonprofit Pages have caused concern,” the spokesperson stated, affirming their commitment to rebuilding trust.
As of now, San Antonio Pets Alive! is urging the public to donate directly through their official website at SanAntonioPetsAlive.org. Citrullo advised, “Anyone wanting to make a donation should be very careful and ensure they are donating to the legitimate organization’s website.”
This developing situation raises significant concerns about online fundraising practices. Donors are encouraged to verify the authenticity of donation pages to protect their contributions. The nonprofit sector is watching closely as GoFundMe implements new measures to address these issues and restore confidence among potential donors.
Officials at San Antonio Pets Alive! are actively working to ensure that future fundraising efforts are legitimate and transparent. As this story unfolds, further updates will be provided to keep the community informed.
For more information and updates on this situation, stay tuned.
