Victim Location 20009
Type of a scam Online Purchase
I fostered a puppy from this organization. I picked up the puppy 8/7 after some mass email communication for all fosters. The first strange thing was they did not reply individually to my questions. The second, was that after I expressed doubt in my ability to take the dog, they basically forced me to take her any way. The third is that they did not have the supplies to support the dog the original email said they would. I did not realize until I was onsite that the adoption fee for the dog was a $500 donation which is outrageous for a rescue. This does not include spay and neuter like other reputable organizations.
They still did not do any individual follow-up, and when I sent their entire team questions and the update on the puppy there was no answer to my questions and request for reimbursement for the supplies they guaranteed. I did not receive a response until I called them out for posting the photo of the dog I sent them indicating they in fact received my email. After I called them out, I received an immediate response and a phone call from Uma at 10pm on a Monday (8/10). Uma is who is described as a scammer throughout the below.
I asked them for paperwork on the dog’s vaccinations which they said she had received. They said they would not be able to provide paperwork until after I take her to her scheduled Vet visit. Uma also reimbursed me over text via Apple Cash. Another shady practice.
I then did some investigating.
The Yelp and Google pages for the “organization” keep disappearing. You’ll notice all the Yelp reviews are from within the last 30 days although the org has been operating far longer than that. https://www.yelp.com/biz/pet-rescue-alliance-alexandria-8?osq=pet+rescue+allianc…⇄ The Yelp page details many unnerving experiences. I’m now in a position where I am nervous about both my safety as well as the dog’s.
The homepage of the org says they are 501(c)3 non-profit organization, but they do not appear in the IRS database.
I have kept screenshots of everything and made sure to keep conversations in writing. I did not answer the phone call and kept it to text.
This woman transports 50+ dogs frequently and places them with fosters. At $500/dog, This woman is pocketing $25K per transport.