The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued a release warning people about a potential scam that targets animal lovers.

Across the country, scammers will prey upon the compassion of others by asking people online to look at a picture of a dog in a cage and donate money to shelter organizations. However, the money raised by the scammers doesn’t go to the care of the animal, the sheltering agencies or to the adopting organizations, according to the release.

“In the animal shelter scam, crooks will post pictures of the animals with false information about ‘high kill’ shelters and imminent death unless they immediately receive money to rescue the pets,” said the press release.

Consumers may be contacted on social media, email, phone or U.S. mail seeking donations to rescue an animal. In one common scam, fraudsters post old pictures of animals or that are not in our region or local shelters and indicate they are legitimate charities when they are not, said the release.

In order to ensure the proper use of your donation, make sure the double check the validity of the listed organization and ask the person reaching out questions about the animal involving proof of its existence and care needs.

For more information on the shelter scam, watch an explanation video from the District Attorney’s Office here.