Causeway Coast Dog Rescue has called on the public to verify the registration status of charities before donating. The group points to unregistered organisations posing as charities and registered ones not filing required annual accounts.

Tara Cunningham of Causeway Coast Dog Rescue stated that genuine charities face financial pressures from rising costs and higher demand. She said these issues undermine trust and divert funds from groups providing essential services to communities and animals.

Causeway Coast Dog Rescue noted that charities often fill gaps left by strained or absent public services. Cunningham expressed concern over organisations skipping legal duties or lacking registration, which confuses donors and harms sector confidence.

Cunningham wrote to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons about the problems. She stressed the need for a team-based response, especially in animal welfare. She raised the issues with local MLAs as well.

She added that public generosity supports vital work but requires transparency and accountability to ensure donations have impact.