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Author: @u/AnimalRescue-ModTeam | Official /r/AnimalRescue Brand Account

Posted: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026

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Hello /r/AnimalRescue community!

Exciting things are happening within the community and we are thrilled to announce some exciting updates to our fundraising verification system, which we are calling Cardinal+. Our goal has always been to make our community the safest place for donors to support life-saving animal rescue work. To do that, we’ve made some big improvements to how we verify fundraisers.

Here is everything you need to know about the new changes!

:bettersparkle:We’ve Moved to Notion!

First things first: our official Fundraising Verification Guidelines and Procedures have a brand-new home on Notion! This new site is much easier to navigate than our old Google Docs. You can now quickly find exactly what you need, whether you’re looking for a specific rule or need to find a form. Please make sure to update your bookmarks to the new Notion link!

:bettersparkle:New Mandatory "Prior Authorization" for First-Timers

The biggest change in Cardinal+ is how we welcome new rescuers and organizations to our community.

To keep everyone safe from potential scams, we now require a Mandatory Prior Authorization (PA) for all first-time applicants. Think of this as a "probationary period" that helps us get to know you better.

How it works:

• If you’ve never fundraised here before, you must complete a PA cycle first.
• If you have an urgent medical case (like an animal needing immediate surgery), the PA process is designed to be super fast so you can get your post live faster.
• Note: PA is only a Temporary Status! A PA gives you a 5-day window to raise funds while we begin your full background review.

Once you’ve successfully completed your first PA, you’ll be eligible to apply for Full Verification (permanent status) in the future!

We understand that these new layers of policy and form sections might feel like a lot of extra red tape or bureaucracy. We understand that when you're on the front lines of rescue, the last thing you want to do is fill out more form sections. We truly sympathize with the extra effort this requires from our hard-working rescuers. However, a core feature of the Cardinal+ system is it’s bureaucratic framework, and we believe that detailed policy and clear procedures are the most effective tools we have to ensure every dollar donated goes exactly where it is promised.

:bettersparkle:Here’s What You Need to Do!