URGENT UPDATE: San Antonio Pets Alive! has issued a warning regarding an unauthorized GoFundMe page that misrepresents the nonprofit, raising concerns it is a potential scam. Executive Director Bob Citrullo expressed alarm, stating, “Every dollar is vital to take care of these animals that we’re saving their lives.”
Earlier today, Citrullo revealed that the page, created without the organization’s consent, collected over $1,300. “When you see something like this and then people donate to it, it’s concerning,” he said. “If I was a donor, I’d be very curious about how to donate safely in the future.”
In recent weeks, GoFundMe launched over 1.4 million donation pages for registered nonprofits across the U.S. However, this initiative has raised alarms as organizations must approve such pages beforehand. “It was supposed to raise awareness for donors, but it’s misleading without proper verification,” Citrullo added.
GoFundMe has since removed the unauthorized page and confirmed that funds raised were directed to the nonprofit via the Paypal Giving Fund. In a statement, the platform emphasized its commitment to restoring trust, noting that nonprofit pages will now require an opt-in process for organizations.
Citrullo urged potential donors to “be very careful” and to verify contributions through the official San Antonio Pets Alive! website. The organization only accepts donations through SanAntonioPetsAlive.org.
GoFundMe stated, “We understand clearly that our recent efforts with Nonprofit Pages have caused concern, and we are fully committed to rebuilding trust through action.”
As of now, San Antonio Pets Alive! is focused on ensuring that donations are made through legitimate channels, protecting the interests of both donors and the animals in need. The nonprofit encourages everyone to stay vigilant and confirm the authenticity of fundraising efforts before contributing.
What to Watch For: San Antonio Pets Alive! continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary. Potential donors are advised to remain cautious and verify fundraising pages to avoid supporting unauthorized efforts.
