Im about to ask some difficult questions on Facebook. AIBU?

[Shannith]

I don't generally do Facebook and have only really used it for a year or so.

I find it really useful for local groups/info etc.

I volunteer for a small local rescue - fostering dogs. It's small, but it's well run and is a registered charity.

I've noticed quite a few posts from another local rescue place and messaged to offer to help as a foster home.

I've been added to their volunteer message group and my spidery senses are telling me it does not add up.

It's run by people who own a commercial kennels. It's not a registered charity. They are bribing puppies over from Eastern Europe which they are "rehoming" for a min payment of £100. All travel costs/food etc are funded by donations.

It's only been set up a few months and I google the people involved and they don't have any history in rescue.

They seem to have a group of local women who are helping them fundraise lured by being able to play with puppies.

I asked the main guy privately if they were a charity (they aren't, I checked) and he was very vague about it. I offered to help as I have some experience in this area - no response.

I also asked today in the group message what the puppies have been rescued from. Complete silence just hundreds of photos of puppies from him and much ohhing and ahhhing from everyone else.

Am I just being a cynical bitch? They (the volunteers) all seem genuine and lovely, I just think they are potentially being scammed.

Or maybe they are really in a mission to rescue cute puppies and I should let them get in with it?

I'm torn between asking more questions or just minding my own business.

I'd keep it to the private group chat only.

I'll probably just get blocked anyway.

Am I more use in than out if it is dubious?

I genuinely don't know.

Sounds like a puppy farm to me. I would report them.

Sounds like a puppy farm to me. I would report them.

Same here. Better to be safe than sorry. It does sound suspicious.

Ask the other reputable charities. They have to work in networks. So find another 'Romanian dog rescue' and ask them if they know. They may help you investigate it, as they don't want disreputable groups giving them a bad name.

A similar group that were investigated had already been dropped by reputable places before the police raided them.

Thanks @picklemebrains that's a good idea.

It's not that I don't want to see dogs rehomed but the refusing to answer my questions has got me suspicious.

Definitely. I fostered for a similar group. They posted their trips to Romania, were in conversation on FB with other rescue groups and individuals in Rom and here. You could see the planning of trips, the networking, all very visible. Photos of the dogs in Rom, then here- the puppies in Rom were older when they got here.

I don't think any dogs get here younger than about 16 weeks. If they have young pups, that's another red flag.

Can you pm me the group? I can have a look, see whether there's anything to follow up?

I think trust your senses and sever all ties (and come and foster for my doggy charity which is straight up legit)

It sounds awful. Very like a puppy farm .
You have to report them .

Trust your instincts OP. Better to report and possibly be wrong than not report and animals suffer.

@picklemebrains thanks I will (can't do it in the app for some reason)

In your advice I have messaged the main Romanian dog rescue charity for advice - it's a firm you fill in so don't expect an immediate response.

Who else could I report them to? I'm trying to work out where they are holding t he puppies. It doesn't seem to be at the main commercial kennels.

They are organising a meet up at the weekend. I could go and spy though feel an arse for doing so.

I think you'd need to know more before you could report it anywhere.

You aren't seeing animal maltreatment, you don't know of any planning breaches.

You could enquire about whether they are breaking any charity laws- though they aren't registered. I'm not sure they are, strangely.

Just a suggestion but maybe phone the RSPCA? They might be able to give advice on what to do?

Thanks everyone @picklemebrains has given me some pointers that show they might well be genuine.

I hope they are. I'll go along to see them with an open mind.

I think fostering to help dogs into permanent homes is important- just want to make sure I'm really helping.

The age of the puppies is a good indicator as they don’t usually come over until around 4 months. Dogs are generally treated like vermin in eastern europe. A quick google will tell you what they have been ‘rescued from’.

I had a romie from a local rescue who came to the UK 4 years ago aged 4 months. Her adoption fee was £150. My second rescue dog (from UK but through same rescue) was £200. £100 seems cheap but they may not realise this yet. There are often vet bill on top of transport and other costs and it all goes into a pot. They weren’t a registered charity when we got our girl but became one a few months later. I believe you have to evidence what you are doing and jump through a few hoops to get chatity status.

By all means keep an eye out and report if you get evidence of wrong doing (police, RSPCA) but there is nothing of immediate concern. I have also known combined kennels/rescues or kennels who offer space free to rescues.

Oh and fostering dogs is fantastic, so thank you 😊

As mentioned above all imported pups should be 4 months old or so. Rabies jabs can’t be given till they are 3 months, and they have to wait 3 weeks after that before travelling. Anything younger would raise major alarm bells.

Can you find out whether their chips are registered abroad?

Again, thank you all you have given me reassurance. I'll check on ages, chips and if all checks out then get involved.