Partner VettingUpdated a month ago

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

Every partner is vetted before a single donation is accepted.

Before any animal welfare organization joins Cuddly, we run a thorough background check across multiple independent sources. Here's exactly what we look at, and why it matters for your generous donations.

Charity transparency checks

We verify each organization through GuideStar, of the most trusted nonprofit rating platforms and other verification sites. These confirm that the organization publicly reports how it uses donations, its financial health, and how accountable its leadership is.

Note: We do work with municipal shelters who are not considered non-profits. However, these organizations are only able to receive donations of wishlist items.

What this means for you: the charity is transparent about where your money goes.

IRS tax-exempt status & Determination Letter

We confirm each organization's active 501(c)(3) status directly with the IRS, and we require them to provide their official IRS Determination Letter. This formal document that proves the federal government has recognized them as a tax-exempt charitable organization.

Note: Non-American Organizations are required to have an American 501c-3 non-profit set up in order to be able to fundraise with CUDDLY.

What this means for you: your donation is tax-deductible, and the organization is federally recognized.

Sanctions screening

We run every applicant through a sanctions search against government watchlists, including OFAC (U.S. Treasury), to ensure no organization or its key individuals are flagged for fraud, financial crimes, or other prohibited activity.

What this means for you: your donation won't end up in the wrong hands.

Veterinary Checks

Every organization on Cuddly has its veterinary staff verified through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) at the time of sign-up. This confirms that all licensed veterinarians associated with the organization are credentialed and in good standing.

In addition, CUDDLY personally contacts all our partners’ vets to ensure that the animals you find on our site are being cared for and that your donations are being spent on their care.

What this means for you: animals in their care are treated by qualified professionals and your donations are going directly towards their care.

Location verification

We verify that the organization's data is consistent with where they claim to operate. Mismatches can be a signal of a fraudulent or misrepresented application.

What this means for you: the organization is where it says it is.

News & reputation review

We run a in depth searches to surface any red flags in recent media coverage. This includes reports of mismanagement, animal cruelty investigations, leadership controversies, or other public concerns.

What this means for you: we look beyond the paperwork for real-world reputation.

Only organizations that pass every applicable check are approved to receive donations on Cuddly. If a partner's status changes, we review their standing and may remove them from the platform. Your trust and the animals who depend on it; matters to us.

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