SPOT THE SCAM: Unmasking Fake Rescues

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Last edited Sat Apr 19, 2025, 10:39 AM - Edit history (3)

I've noticed a number of fake animal rescue videos posted here recently. I think folks should reconsider before posting/reposting them or giving them "likes" or "recs". They are bad news for many reasons, not least of which is that the animals are often endangered (e.g., putting them in unnatural physical danger, sedating an animal and then "resuscitating" it, etc.), all for the sake of social media "likes" and/or donations.

I respectfully encourage folks to look at the site below & read their report, or do your own internet search for "fake animal rescue videos". It's a growing problem.

It's a nasty business and I don't think it has any place on DU.

https://www.smaccoalition.com/fake-rescue-report

Report:
https://www.smaccoalition.com/_files/ugd/4e12f3_335b2ed0535246d6bd6d681ad604134c.pdf

SMACC’s latest research shows the truth behind fake rescue content: animals are being harmed and viewers are being scammed.

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This content shows humans “rescuing” sick and injured animals, animals trapped and stuck under heavy objects and some even on the verge of drowning. In these staged scenarios, all set up by the content creator, animals are put in danger and situations of distress. Very little is known about what happens to the animals before, or after these video clips.

Kittens, puppies and young monkeys are the main victims. Young and vulnerable, they are prone to abuse.

In SMACC’s latest research, over a third of the content showed animals apparently “abandoned”, often by the side of the road, in rubbish dumps and bins. SMACC is particularly concerned about the potential staging of these situations, as there are suspicions that some animals may have been deliberately harmed or manipulated for the sake of content



[...]

Much more at website.