Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
What is CUDDLY?
CUDDLY is a for-good, for-profit organization with a
mission to be the champion of animals in need. We do this by directly providing tools and resources to
support
animal welfare organizations worldwide. The CUDDLY platform empowers animal welfare organizations to
create
fundraisers and wishlists in order to raise funds and receive donated supplies for animals
who desperately need help. In turn, donors from all over the world can make a difference by
donating to a specific animal or organization.
Where is CUDDLY located?
CUDDLY was founded in 2014 in Seal Beach, CA. CUDDLY has offices in Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX.
FOR DONORS
How can I help animals on CUDDLY?
There are many ways you can make an impact through CUDDLY! You can...
Give to individual animals in need by purchasing items off their wishlist or sending a monetary
donation to go toward the cost of their care, including expenses such as veterinary care, transport,
supplies, and more.
https://cuddly.com/wishlists
https://cuddly.com/wishlists
Donate wishlist items to programs including pet food pantries, foster care,
behavioral enrichment, and more. These items will help ensure that programs such as these continue
to benefit animals for the long term.
https://cuddly.com/petpantry
https://cuddly.com/petpantry
Subscribe to be a monthly giver through
CUDDLY Club or Full Bowls Club. By committing
to helping animals each month, you help shelters and rescues do more for the animals and
communities
who rely on them. Through CUDDLY Club, your donation is pooled together with other club
members
to make a more significant impact to help save as many animals as possible. By signing up with
Full Bowls Club, you are directly giving a monthly donation to the partner of your choice,
ensuring they always have support!
How can I be sure my donation is helping the animal I donate to?
The team at CUDDLY works closely with all of our partners to ensure your donation is sent
directly to the organization. All partners featured on CUDDLY are certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit or
municipal agencies and have been verified to ensure they are in good standing. After you donate,
funds and wishlist items are sent directly to the organization. Updates are provided by the
partner and posted on the fundraiser in addition to being sent to donors via email, allowing you to
stay up to date on their progress.
How do I obtain my donation receipt?
After you make a donation to a fundraiser and/or wishlist, a receipt is
automatically emailed to the account you used to checkout. You can also find a complete list of
all receipts by logging into your Donor
Profile. If you haven't created an account yet, you can sign up for one using the same
email you used at checkout. Once logged into your account, your receipts will appear under the
Donation History section. Donations are organized by year and you have the ability to
download them for your records.
What portion of my donation is tax deductible?
First and foremost, CUDDLY thanks you for your generous donation.
When you give on CUDDLY, you have the option to give either a monetary donation or purchase
items from a wishlist. Those are considered the donation amount which is tax deductible.
Also part of your total donation is the optional tip you gave and a $0.95 transaction fee, both of
which are NOT tax deductible.
If at any time you have questions about your donation or need us to provide your tax deductible
total, please contact the Donor Success Team.
(866) 731-4862 ext. 110 | hello@cuddly.com
Why is the price of your wishlist items different compared to other
e-commerce sites?
CUDDLY is a small company that attempts to maintain competitive pricing.
We do everything we can to keep costs low such as working with pet brands and bringing
supplies directly into our warehouse. However, due to our size we do not have the capacity
to compete with larger corporations who often are able to get items significantly lower
than we can.
At this point, we support close to 4,000 animal welfare partners. It is our on-going
commitment to work on bringing the price down for both our donors and partners. It is important
to note that included in the price of wishlist items is the cost of shipping, handling fees, and
sales tax.
Does CUDDLY support international rescues?
The issues of animal abuse, neglect, and overpopulation are not exclusive to the United
States. While CUDDLY primarily partners with 501(c)(3) organizations that are verified and
registered as tax-deductible in the United States, we have made the choice to support animal welfare
efforts around the globe. We recognize the need to support all animals, regardless of border,
because they are all worthy of care.
With that said, CUDDLY is constantly working to protect its
communities against fraudulence and dishonesty. International organizations are no exception.
That's why when partnering with organizations outside the United States, our team works diligently
to verify the organization's non-profit status within their country of origin as well as their
legitimacy as a charity.
It is important to note that donations to international charities
are NOT tax-deductible in the United States. However, our donor community can have the utmost
confidence that your donation is still going to a reputable and trustworthy organization that is
grateful for your donation.
Can my donation be refunded?
In order to ensure support is sent to the urgent need cases on CUDDLY,
donations and wishlist items are sent as quickly as possible to our partners. Because of our
accelerated payment system, refunds are not possible through our platform.
How can I become more involved with animal welfare?
We think it is amazing you want to be more involved in helping animals.
So many animals are in need of our help, including the people who work at rescues and
shelters.
The best way to get involved is by contacting your local animal shelter and offering to be
an
animal foster parent. Fostering helps make space in the shelters and more importantly, can
provide specialized care such as medical recovery or, helping the animal get ready for
adoption.
Volunteering at adoption events is another way you can get involved. Stay connected
with CUDDLY on social media to stay up to date on any potential events or opportunities to
help
your animal community!
FOR ANIMAL INQUIRES
I need to surrender my pet. Can I drop them off with you?
While we love animals, we are unable to accept any
as
we are not a rescue facility. However, there may be organizations in your area that can
help
you keep your pet with support such as food or veterinary care, or who may be able to
accept
your pet if keeping them with you is not an option. Check with your local shelters and
rescues to see how they can help. If you would like to try to rehome on your own so your
pet
doesn't have to enter the shelter system, we recommend visiting getyourpet.com and adoptapet.com.
Does CUDDLY help individuals who own pets?
CUDDLY works with many organizations that
provide
support to pet families through programs like pet food pantries. By keeping pets with
families who already love them, shelters and rescues can focus their efforts and
resources
on pets who are not as fortunate.
What types of animals does CUDDLY help?
CUDDLY operates to support 501(c)(3) and municipal
shelters, rescues, and pet pantries. The animals and their needs are dependent on the
cases
of our partners experiences. While many of the animals you will find on our site are dogs
and
cats, we help all types and varieties of animals such as horses, bunnies, seals,
and even tigers!
Where are the animals located?
The animals you find on our fundraisers are in the
care of the shelter or rescue that created the campaign. CUDDLY is proud to be able to
work
with and support partners worldwide.
Does CUDDLY rescue and/or take care of animals?
CUDDLY exists as a platform for shelters, rescues,
and
pet pantries to provide them with the tools and resources they need to make fundraising
easier. Our priority is to make sure they are supported. As such, CUDDLY does not
directly
intake or take care of animals. We act as the liaison between the donor and our
partners.
Do these animals have owners?
Many of the animals on CUDDLY come from a wide
variety
of backgrounds and circumstances. Some of the animals had prior owners but not all of
them
did. In most cases, if there is a fundraiser for an animal, they are likely now in the
care
of the partner or foster volunteers.
I found an animal in need of help, what should I do?
If you come across an animal in need of help,
whether they appear to be lost or you have concerns about their care, contact animal control for
guidance. With your help, they will be able to assess whether the animal requires to be
picked up or
if further investigation is necessary. We never recommend removing an animal from
anyone's property.
How do I pursue a pet adoption?
Adoptable pets can be found by visiting the Adopt
section on the top navigation bar. Search for the animal
you
want to welcome into your home and fill out the application online. Please note, all
animals
available for adoption are in the care of the animal welfare organization and it will be the
organization
that reviews your application and reaches out if they believe it is a good fit.
FOR PARTNERS
How is CUDDLY different from other fundraising websites?
Here at CUDDLY, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for
animal
welfare organizations and animal lovers. We do this by offering a range of features
you
won't find on other fundraising platforms, such as including dedicated
representatives
who will provide step-by-step guidance and support to maximize success for every
animal
rescue or shelter. You will also receive fundraising support for each campaign,
email
marketing tools, faster donation processing, and paid social media ads - all this at
NO
cost to you!
Our ultimate goal is to help our partners garner monetary donations and
supplies through wishlists, so that more animals can be saved. With CUDDLY, you can
be
sure donations will go directly towards improving the lives of animals in need.
How do I set up a fundraiser?
Setting up a fundraiser with CUDDLY is easy and takes only a few minutes! First things
first,
you need to create an account
with CUDDLY. In order to create your account, you will need the e-mail address associated
with
the organization you are wanting to sign up for. If you have already created an account,
then
log into your dashboard.
Once your account has been activated and validated, you can add a campaign by
clicking Create Campaign at the top of your dashboard and entering your campaign's details.
We
recommend including a wishlist registry with your fundraiser to provide necessary
items
for your pet's recovery - simply check the "Create a Wishlist Registry" box at the
top
and you will be taken to our catalog where you can select items. Input your shipping
address (sorry, no PO Boxes!) and hit "Publish" to make the campaign live.
Now, it is time to share your fundraiser! Copy and paste the URL link to your social
media pages for maximum exposure. If you need help or have questions, reach out to our
Partner Success team by either giving us a call or sending
an email. We would be happy to help get you started today!
(866) 731-4862 ext. 118 | shelters@cuddly.com
Ready, Set, Fundraise!
What is the Weekly Wish and how can I get selected?
The Weekly Wish is an animal fundraiser/wishlist that gets selected by the CUDDLY team
each week to highlight one of the urgent needs campaigns on our platform - it will be
featured on our homepage, as well as in our CUDDLY newsletter, social media, and other
marketing efforts. All of this to say, being featured provides extra exposure to help you
reach
your
fundraising goals!
To ensure your animal fundraiser is eligible for the Weekly Wish position, make sure your
campaign profile is 100% complete. To do that, begin by first connecting your PayPal to your
CUDDLY account for easy, weekly electronic transfers. Then use the email tool on your CUDDLY
account to loop in existing donors so they can easily contribute.
Lastly, notify your Fundraising Consultant of the completion, and start fundraising!
How soon will I receive my funds?
We understand the urgency that pertains to some medical
cases,
which is why we strive to send your donations as quickly as possible. You can choose
to
receive your donations on a weekly basis by connecting your organization's Paypal
business
account through your Shelter Dashboard. We will disburse that week's donations
directly
into
the account you connected. If you choose not to connect a Paypal account, you will
receive
donations via check sent in the mail on a bi-monthly basis. There is a $25
check
fee
if you opt out of online disbursements. Unlike other sites, there is no need to
close
out a
fundraiser before you can access your donations, which enables you to help your
animals
sooner.
Does it cost anything to use CUDDLY?
CUDDLY costs nothing for our shelter, rescue, or pantry partners.
We
provide a suite of tools to help our partners fundraise more easily and connect with a
community
of generous donors.
However, processing fees of 10% + $.30 are deducted from your funds raised via PayPal
and
credit
cards to cover our transaction costs.
Optional tips given by donors with their donation to CUDDLY are used to
continually
invest
in
improving your fundraising tools, in addition to covering the costs of shipping, handling
fees,
and sales tax. We are the ONLY crowdfunding platform
that
helps
promote and invests in your campaigns after you have created them.
Are my donors and donor email list kept private?
Yes. The donor list that you upload is private. You, and only you, have access to
the
emails that have been uploaded to your CUDDLY account. These email lists are an
important part of marketing your fundraisers and/or campaigns and have been proven
to
increase funding by over 70%!
What should I do if I have questions about a recent wishlist order?
The CUDDLY Partner Success team is here to assist if you have any questions
regarding your wishlist order. In order for us to best help, please reach out to
shelters@cuddly.com with your organization name, order number, and order date so we
can work on providing an answer.
FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS
How do I obtain a receipt for my monthly donations?
A complete list of all receipts made to CUDDLY Club and/or Full Bowls Club can be
found by logging into your Donor
Profile.
If you haven't created an account yet, all you have to do is register using the same
email
you used when signing up.
Once logged into your account, your receipts will appear under the Donation
History
section where you will see a list of all your donations organized by year.
Subscription donations will be listed as either CUDDLY Club or Full Bowls Club
depending on which program you are subscribed to. You also have the option under
'Category' to filter by subscriptions.
How do I cancel my subscription?
If you are considering canceling your CUDDLY Club or Full Bowls Club membership, please
contact the Donor Success
Team
who can further assist you. Keep in mind you also have the option to adjust your monthly
donation amount. We appreciate any amount you are able to give!
Am I able to make edits to my subscriptions?
Yes! If you have a subscription with either CUDDLY Club, Full Bowls Club, or both, you
can make edits through your Donor Profile. This includes adjusting your monthly donation
amount, updating your credit card information, or pausing your subscription for one, three, or six months.
