FAKE RESCUE CONTENT

Content showing animals being rescued from danger are popular on social media. Everyone loves a happy ending for an animal in need! Unfortunately this interest is exploited by creators, often in an attempt to make money. 

 

Fake rescue content shows animals deliberately put in harmful situations specifically so that the content creator can "rescue" the animal from that situation. Fake rescue content can also involve animals who are injured - for example with broken limbs or stuck in glue, oil or traps, or animals in life-threatening situations such as being stuck in bodies of water or trapped under large objects. 

 

Sometimes these videos are presented as prey animals being rescued from predator species. Often the animals placed together would be very unlikely to meet in the wild - for example, kittens being attacked by a boa constrictor. Sadly, these situations are staged simply so the creator can film the so-called “rescue” for social media. 

 

Disturbingly, some creators seemingly make animals ill or injure them in order to film them being treated. Some even show animals being given CPR, who appear to be dying or perhaps drugged. Another popular theme is to make it appear as though animals have tick parasites, by sticking beans or seeds onto their fur which are then pulled off. 

 

Sometimes these accounts will claim to be animal rescues and ask for donations, usually via a paypal link. You should never send any money unless you know for sure it is a legitimate animal rescue. 

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Here are some clues you can look out for to spot fake rescue content: 

 

• Is it an unusual situation? Would the animal likely be in that situation or environment? 

• Are the animals native to the area the videos are taking place? For example, we have seen turtles being “rescued” from and released in the sea when they do not live in such habitats. 

• Does the person filming stand for a long time simply filming the animal in danger before any attempt at rescue? 

• Does the account sharing the video have many similar videos? Often accounts creating fake rescues will have many of these videos which appear to be filmed in the same place, sometimes with the same animals. 

• Are the animals used for the videos alway the same individuals? 

• Is the human rescuing the animals always the same person? You may find that the “rescuer” is the same person every time.

• Are the “rescuers” wearing any protective equipment? 

• Are the “rescuers” providing medical care to the animals using standardized medical procedures in established medical facilities? 

• Is there any additional information on what happens to the animals after the rescue? 

• Are they a legitimate rescue with a website and more information? 

• Are all images used very graphic and shocking to attract attention? 

• Is the main goal of these videos to gather donations?