THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay and District Humane Society says people approached for donations on behalf of the society should feel free to check the credentials of the individual collecting the money.
The caution follows two incidents late last week, one involving a homeowner, the other involving a local business.
A social media post from the humane society stated "Unfortunately there may have been some misrepresentation of our shelter and we hope it is a misunderstanding. We have also been notified there may be a person(s) going door to door collecting money on our behalf. This is not something that we have organized."
Cassandra Marques coordinates volunteers for the TBDHS.
She said a resident reported that a girl about 11 years old came to her door seeking donations for the society.
"We don't have anybody soliciting door-to-door. So that was one of the first red flags," Marques said.
Shortly after that call, Marques contacted a business the society had previously delivered a letter to about a food donation for a TBDHS event.
"When I called that business to follow up about the donation letter, they said they had already given a monetary donation to a young lady that came in after I dropped off the letter."
The two incidents happened at opposite ends of the city, Marques said.
The fact that they happened so quickly back-to-back made her feel somebody may have known the society was asking for some donations, or that "maybe they are doing it on our behalf, but they haven't notified us. It kind of gives us a bad representation."
Marques said anyone approached for donations to the TBDHS—particularly businesses— should ask to see a donation letter that has the society's charitable number on it, and an authorized signature.
"If there are ever any questions, give the humane society a call so we can follow up to see if somebody is doing a donation drive on our behalf," she advised.
The shelter can be contacted at 475-8803 or by email at info@tbdhs.ca.
The humane society didn't initially notify Thunder Bay Police about the recent incidents "but we may be giving them a call today, just so they are aware," Marques said.
