20/03/2026
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“ARE THOSE RESCUE ‘SOB STORIES’ OR ORGANISATIONS REALLY LEGIT?”– Essential guidelines for anyone looking to support a ‘dog charity’ online
As many will be aware, social media is now constantly awash with different individuals, or apparent ‘organisations’, pleading for cash or donations to rescue dogs from euthanasia, or have some form of urgent surgery. But how many of these are actually genuine, as opposed to just another form of scam to relieve caring people of their money?
Come to that, how many ‘rescue organisations’ you may see online are actually run responsibly enough, and with sufficient transparency and accountability? Or are they really nothing more than a page?
GREATER REGULATION
Recently in the UK, a petition signed by over 100,000 people prompted the government to consider greater regulation and licensing of all animal rescue centres here, due to fears some were actually linked to the more irresponsible breeding or selling of animals, animal neglect or misusing public donations.
We suspect, however, that this has become a wider problem worldwide. But how can you tell if a rescue organisation is more legitimate, and thus more worthy of your support? We are indebted to Ben Wilkes of The Border Collie Trust GB – one of the oldest and most respected collie rehoming charities in the UK – for these basic guidelines below. Which followers are welcome to print out and keep, or share with others.
The Border Collie Trust GB has been around for over 30 years, and rehomes around 300 collies each year. For more on their work: https://www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQk0PJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5R8UB8vAn5TeTM8X39Pfbeno0o8T2KsUeEl51TUuY5ONIqlm0XB_6n-E1zI_aem_GBUZXXVPL5dA5tk7Yo7qdg
ESSENTIAL GUIDELINES TO SPOTTING MORE LEGITIMATE RESCUE ORGANISATIONS:
1. CHECK FOR ANY OFFICIAL REGISTRATION. In the UK, for instance, see if they are registered with regulators such as the Charity Commission or are a member of a professional body like the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH). In the USA, “charities” or not for profits organisations may be administered at State level so it could vary across the country. In any country you are in, check what organisations exist to regulate charities or animal welfare organisations in particular, and see if a rescue organisation you have seen advertising online is registered with any of them.
The organisations we have mentioned in the UK require charities to meet specific governance standards, publish accounts and demonstrate how funds are used. It may still not guarantee perfection, but it does add a layer of scrutiny and accountability.
2. LOOK FOR TRANSPARENCY ABOUT OPERATIONS. Legitimate rescues tend to be very open about what they do. Donors should expect to see things such as: A physical address and landline contact number, clear information about trustees or directors, photos or videos of the kennels or facilities, evidence of any veterinary partnerships and regular updates showing dogs arriving, being cared for, and being rehomed.
If a rescue group or organisation only appears as a page, instead, with emotional posts but little real other information about themselves, that should raise questions.
(Not all rescue organisations will have physical premises, including kennels, and may use a ‘foster’ set up instead to rehome dogs. But you should still be looking for sufficient evidence, as outlined here, that they are being more responsibly and legitimately run).
3. BE WARY OF CONSTANT CALLS FOR ‘EMERGENCY’ FUNDRAISING
A lot of online ‘rescue’ campaigns may seem to rely heavily on urgency and distressing stories: i.e. “This dog will die tonight unless we raise £3,000.” Genuine rescue organisations also sometimes face emergencies, but if every appeal is framed as an immediate life-or-death situation, it can be a warning sign. Responsible rescues also usually budget for veterinary care and will explain to potential donors exactly what funds are needed and why, as well as how they will be spent.
4. FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF THE DOG. A genuine rescue will normally show the full journey of: Where a dog came from, what veterinary or behavioural assessment they have had, whether they went into kennels or foster care, and then how any adoption and rehoming process went. If you never see fuller’ journeys’ and outcomes like these, only – again - constant requests for more money, be more cautious.
5. CHECK INDEPENDENT REFERENCES.
Before donating to any animal rescue, it can help to: Search the organisation’s name online, plus terms like “review” or “complaint”, and ask other established rescues if they know the organisation. Established rescues often know one another within the welfare community. Also look for any partnerships they may have with vets, councils, or other recognised welfare groups.
Ben says that as a ‘simple rule of thumb’ “if you can’t clearly see who runs an organisation, where the dogs are, and how money is used, it’s wise to pause before donating. People’s kindness toward animals is extraordinary—but unfortunately that goodwill can sometimes be exploited. Taking a few minutes to check an organisation helps ensure donations genuinely reach the dogs who need them.”
©Collieology 2026
