Be a Smart Supporter

If you are reading this blog, chances are that you have given money to an animal welfare or environmental organization at some point in your life. Here's some good advice that we learned the hard way....investigate those groups you support and make sure they really are who they say they are. AND make sure they are using your money properly.

We learned this lesson thanks to Primarily Primates, a sanctuary in San Antonio, TX. We supported this group for years. Last year, serious allegations and evidence of abuse, neglect and hoarding led to the seizure of the sanctuary by the Texas Attorney General. The State of Texas finally settled with a revised sanctuary Board of Directors, but we felt that our money had been wasted for a long time. If we had just done some research, we may have been better informed. Here's the whole unpleasant story of that place following the initial seizure. For a more up-to-date status on this mess, click here.

First and foremost, do some internet research on the group and see what kind of press they are getting, if any. In the US, check with the IRS to make sure the group really is a charitable organization and to make sure it really is a 501(c)(3) if it claims to be so (a 501(c)(3) status means that donations to the group are tax-deductible). Check with watchdogs too, like the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance to see how these organizations rate.

It's the worst feeling in the world to think that you are helping animals and it turns out you've only been hurting them.