PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A Gloucester organization that rescues animals says it needs a rescue.

The founder of Critters 4 U Rescue tells 10 On Your Side that her organization’s Facebook page was hijacked last week, and it appears thousands of dollars meant for charity are now in the hands of cybercriminals.

WAVY.com readers may remember a story from Bloxom, Virginia, in October of 2021, when Critters 4 U rescued six dogs living in a tub loaded with feces. This year has brought even more heartache, said Crystal (Angel) Recoy, who founded the organization in 2001.

“We’ve been working to shut down a dual breeder. We probably saved about 100 dogs from that breeder. One of the dogs came to me with roofing nails in his stomach because that’s all he was allowed to eat,” Recoy said.

  • Some of the dogs helped by Critters 4 U (Courtesy of Critters 4 U)
  • A dog helped by Critters 4 U (Courtesy of Critters 4 U)
  • Another dog helped by Critters 4 U (Courtesy of Critters 4 U)
  • Another dog helped by Critters 4 U (Courtesy of Critters 4 U)
  • A dog helped by Critters 4 U (Courtesy of Critters 4 U)

Recoy says she opened an email last week that suggested she link the charity’s Facebook page to a pet adoption site.

“We went to do it and within five seconds I lost my Facebook page for the rescue,” Recoy said.

Since then, Recoy says she has been trying to wave off loyal supporters but for some, it was too late. In a Zoom interview, Recoy said 16 people sent $400 to $1,000 via Zelle to suspected cybercriminals.

“I’ve had that page since 2008 with 10,000 followers on it and probably less of that because people realize it’s not a good page anymore. So hopefully people are leaving it. But all that work for like 20 years is gone,” Recoy said.

That’s why Recoy turned to Wavy.com.

“We reached up to 10 On Your Side to get help so we can. I was hoping to get the old Facebook page back, but obviously, that is not going to happen. Too many people know it’s a scam now and I’m glad if I could get it removed and get our name back out there. [The goal is] to get likes on our new page,” Recoy said.

The nonprofit has a new Facebook page that will complement its existing TikTok and Instagram pages. Critters 4 U Rescue says cyber criminals will not slow them down.

“We have a puppy rescue right now that had been thrown from a car. I take all my money and put it to the rescue. That’s why this is hurting so much. We need the followers; we need the donations.

Recoy supplied detailed information on how supporters can make secure donations.

New Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Critters4URescue

Website: critters4urescueinc.org

Phone number: (757) 335-0028

Email: critters4urescue@yahoo.com

Instagram: critters_4_u_rescue

TikTok username: critters4urescue

Cash app: $Critters4U

Venmo: @Critters4URescue

Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/146OO888CCYLI

Chewy: https://www.chewy.com/g/critters-4-u-rescue_b86309090

Walmart Wishlist: https://www.walmart.com/…/22c3f077-45c1-418c-a693

Mailing address: 6699 Fox Centre Pkwy, Box 415, Gloucester, VA 23061

Recoy tells 10 On Your Side the organization does not use the Zelle payment system.