I’m now seeing claims that @StacyHopeRescue put pets with borders or didn’t pay/provide fosters with food etc. but when I ask questions to the account @onelastbark who brought these allegations to my attention, they quickly shut off comments, which is also questionable behavior. If there is a fraudster among the rescue community, people should definitely know in no uncertain terms. But we have to be very clear and careful about smearing a rescue’s name without proper evidence. Certainly, if evidence or factual claims are provided than that is absolutely a red flag. It’s unfortunate that in the animal rescue community there are many who want to capitalize on the empathy of others. I think now would be an important time to discuss what questions to ask to determine if a rescue is truly legitimate and in it for the right reasons. ⭕️Confirm nonprofit status: Search the exact legal name or EIN on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at irs.gov or apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Ask the group for their EIN if it is not public. If they claim 501(c)(3) status but do not appear, stop. ⭕️Review finances: Look up Form 990 filings on ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, Candid/GuideStar, or the IRS tool. Check program spending versus fundraising/admin, executive pay (if any), and consistency. Charity Navigator or CharityWatch can help for larger groups, but small rescues may not be rated. Legitimate groups usually share or link this information willingly. High overhead or constant “crisis” fundraising with little program detail is a concern. ⭕️Search reputation: Google the name + “scam,” “complaint,” “review,” or “hoarding.” Check local Facebook groups, Reddit, or state attorney general sites. Reverse-image-search photos of animals or facilities. Look for original content with specific follow-ups, not recycled urgency posts. ⭕️Questions That Separate Legitimate Rescues from Brokers or Scams: A real rescue answers these straightforwardly because the answers reflect normal operations. Evasiveness, hostility, or vague answers are strong signals to walk away. ⭕️On animals and operations: Where do the animals come from? Can you provide the name and contact of the shelter or partner you pulled from so I can verify? What is the current status of the last several animals you took in (names or identifiers, where they are now, outcomes)? Can you show records or recent updates? Who is your veterinarian or veterinary partner? Can I see recent medical records, vaccination/spay-neuter proof, or speak with them? What quarantine and health protocols do you use (especially for transports)? Do you have a facility I can visit, or a foster network where I can meet the animal in its current home? (Meeting in a parking lot or only via video is a red flag.) What is your capacity right now, and how do you decide intake? What happens to animals that are hard to place or have serious medical/behavioral issues? ⭕️On adoptions and accountability: What is your full adoption process (application, screening, home check or references, contract)? What is your return policy if it does not work out? How do you track outcomes after adoption or transport? Do you do any follow-up? How are donations specifically used for animal care versus other expenses? Can you show a recent breakdown or 990? ⭕️For transport-focused groups: Who are your originating and receiving partners? What health checks, quarantine, and tracking occur during transport? How do you ensure receiving fosters or homes have capacity? Good answers include specific names, willingness to share records or contacts, clear processes, and evidence of veterinary care and follow-up. Legitimate groups often welcome questions from potential adopters or donors because it shows the person is thoughtful. 🚩 Major Red Flags Constant urgent “donate now or this animal dies tonight” posts with little or no specific follow-up, identifiable outcomes, or original content. Payment only via personal Venmo, Cash App, personal PayPal, gift cards, or crypto rather than an organizational account. Reluctance or refusal to provide vet records, EIN, financial info, partner contacts, or allow visits. No clear physical footprint, adoption process, or return policy; high volume of purebreds/puppies from unverifiable “high-kill” sources with weak screening. Animals that consistently appear underweight, sick, or in poor conditions; overcrowding; or the group taking in far more than it can reasonably place or care for. Hostility to questions on social media, stolen images, or claims of huge numbers saved with minimal infrastructure. Meeting only in public places or adopting sight-unseen with pressure. Pulling from high-kill shelters and interstate transport is a common and often legitimate practice used by many good groups to increase live outcomes. Problems arise when volume is prioritized over care capacity, partnerships are unverifiable, health protocols are absent, or the operation is primarily fundraising without transparent results. Hoarding situations sometimes present as “rescues,” and municipal shelters have sometimes supplied animals to such groups in efforts to improve save rates. ⭕️Practical Advice Prefer groups with local ties, verifiable vet partnerships, and a track record of transparent outcomes when possible. Municipal shelters or well-established local nonprofits are often easier to verify in person. Visit if you can, clean conditions, healthy-appearing animals, and open communication are positive signs. Talk to past adopters, local vets, or animal control for informal references. No checklist is perfect, and small legitimate rescues may have imperfect paperwork. The combination of public records, specific verifiable answers, and willingness to show the actual work is the strongest practical filter for an average person. If something feels off, there are almost always other groups or local shelters that can use support instead.