GoFundMe has suspended an animal rescue organization’s campaign that had raised more than $19,000 in donations following the destruction of its home-based headquarters in the Palisades fire.
In an email to the Southern California News Group, officials with GoFundMe said their Trust and Safety Team is investigating the fundraiser for A Wish For Animals (AWFA) that was abruptly shut down Tuesday. The reason for the suspension was not provided.
The state Department of Justice, which regulates California charities, did not respond to questions regarding AWFA’s GoFundMe campaign.
According to a screenshot of the deleted fundraiser, the campaign aimed to garner financial support for AWFA’s “headquarters” gutted by the Palisades fire.
Last week, AWFA operator Toni Eakes, who also goes by Tonja Eakes, told SCNG the deadly fire burned down her rental home in the 900 block of Hartzell Street in Pacific Palisades that also served as the animal rescue’s base of operation.
AWFA’s website touts its nonprofit status and says its mission is to “save as many animals as possible from suffering or death and to find them wonderful homes to spend the rest of their lives in.”
“We are entirely dependent on donations from individuals and businesses who believe that these animals are worth saving,” the website states, adding that donations are “100% tax deductible.” “Medical care, shelter, food, and tender loving care are provided until these animals are available to be placed in their new forever homes.”
However, records obtained by SCNG from the California Department of Justice, which is responsible for regulating charities, raise questions about whether AWFA’s GoFundMe campaign was permissible.
AWFA’s charitable trust registration was revoked in 2016 because it failed to file renewal fees for the 2009, 2012 and 2013 fiscal years, prohibiting it from possessing or soliciting donations in California, the records show.
Additionally, AWFA’s federal tax-exempt status was revoked in 2013 by the Internal Revenue Service, according to state records.
In an interview this week, Eakes insisted AWFA’s GoFundMe campaign remained active. In 2016 and 2018, Eakes was the beneficiary of $14,845 for animal rescues through GoFundMe campaigns organized by others.
AWFA has merged with another nonprofit with a separate IRS Employment Identification Number allowing AFWA to legally solicit charitable donations, said Eakes, declining to identify the organization it is partnering with.
IRS records show Eakes also is president of the Love All Animals Organization, which obtained federal tax-exempt status in 2022.
That same year, Love All Animals reported to the IRS $235,700 in revenues from adoption fees and grants, with expenditures totaling $214,858.
However, like AWFA, Love All Animals, which also is a rescue organization, was declared delinquent and prohibited by the Department of Justice in 2024 from soliciting and disbursing charitable donations after failing to file annual reports and renew fees.
Eakes did nor respond to questions regarding the state prohibitions against Love All Animals.
Members of an animal advocacy Facebook group opposed to AFWA have filed complaints against Eakes with GoFundMe and the Department of Justice.
“This type of illegal activity hurts all the rescues out there who are doing things the right way, paying their dues and providing extraordinary service,” group member Sherri Harvey said. “Every dollar stolen from innocent animals breaks our hearts.”
Eakes described the Facebook group as “haters” whose complaints about AWFA are unfounded. “We’ve done nothing wrong,” she said, adding that AWFA may take legal action against the group.
Donors who contributed to the AWFA campaign can request a refund from GoFundMe.