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The owner of an animal rescue service in Stoke Newington has hit back at claims she is misusing donations to pay for the upkeep of her own pet cats.
Stokey Cats and Dogs boss Elzbieta Gontarska has been accused by Remi Makinde, who runs the London Cat Sitting Company, of going “off the rails” when asked to reveal details about the rescue service’s income.
Gontarska invites donations through a closed Facebook group using PayPal, and also via a GoFundMe page.
Makinde, who used to donate to Gontarska but has now been banned from the group, said: “Elzbieta has slandered me ever since I asked her to provide a statement showing the PayPal donations sent to Stokey Cats and Dogs.
“She went off the rails, blocked me from her group, and accused me of never contributing to the charity. But I have never shilled a customer like she has.”
. @StokeyCatsnDogs People who donate to your so called rescue have a right to know where their money goes. Producing vet receipts…
— A Difficult Woman (@itstheremi) March 24, 2017
. @StokeyCatsnDogs Isn’t good enough. People want to see what funds are coming in. Not being a registered charity there is no accountability
— A Difficult Woman (@itstheremi) March 24, 2017
The outspoken Makinde, who is also in charge of news website Hackney Hive, claims the spat erupted after Gontarska posted a picture of a dead cat on social media, provoking an angry response from members of the Facebook group.
@hackneyhive @QuaintIrene2 The money isn’t coming fm u Remi Makinde & as we don’t know u we don’t see a reason to show you our bank account.
— Stokey Cats and Dogs (@StokeyCatsnDogs) March 24, 2017
Stokey Cats and Dogs is not a registered charity, which means it is not legally obliged to provide financial information, or even spend donations on what customers expect them to be spent on, but Makinde says if her claims of Gontarska misusing funds are true, the behaviour is “absolutely, morally wrong”.
In an expletive-laden Facebook post, Makinde wrote: “Elzbieta Gontarska is still harking on about what a terrible person I am, but will not show a statement from PayPal, which is how most people donate to her, not GoFundMe.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this year alone she has had at least £15,000, if not more, donated via PayPal. Like I said, you cunts that bad-talk me and think she’s a saint deserve to be burgled and fleeced of everything you have, fools.
“She states I am asking to be thanked for donations. I have never asked to be thanked. She chose to tell people I never donated and has since removed that comment after I chose to show proof of how many times I have donated.”
In a challenge to Gontarska, Makinde tweeted: “All Elzbieta @StokeyCatsnDogs has to do is show donations coming in. If my allegations are unfounded, I’ll do one of the following: eat a packet of cat food, or donate £50 to Celia Hammond.”
A poll showed 70 per cent were in favour of the donation, with Makinde adding: “At least I won’t have to eat cat food.”
All Elzbieta @StokeyCatsnDogs has to do is show donations coming in. If my allegations are unfounded, I’ll do one of following
— Hackney Hive (@hackneyhive) March 27, 2017
Gontarska has not responded to the Hackney Citizen’s requests for comment, but hit back at Makinde’s claims on Facebook. She wrote: “The GoFundMe page for Stokey Cats and Dogs was opened 22 months ago. In 22 months, the total money raised is £1,380. Please remember that GoFundMe keeps a percentage for themselves, so not the full £1,380 has been transferred to us.
“As you may remember, the other day I posted a vet’s bill which was £1,601.04 and was paid in full. The GoFundMe page would not cover the bill alone. Calling me a fraud is rather out of touch.
“The money raised in this group is for the strays – not for my own cats. This is the last time I will explain anything about the money coming and going through this group. I wish other rescues were questioned in the same way – not just us.
“Remi Makinde has been thanked for helping us financially while she was doing so, but it seems she wants to be thanked for donating money for the rest of my days as if there was nothing else to do.”
Makinde alleges that Gontarska has since turned down offers from Stokey Cats and Dogs members, including a “qualified accountant”, to help her provide a monthly breakdown for free. She added: “I’m calling on people to keep giving their money to good causes, but they should avoid donating to Elzbieta Gontarska at all costs.”
This article was amended at 11:30am on Tuesday 18 April 2017. The original article stated Elzbieta Gontarska runs an animal rescue home, whereas in fact she runs an animal rescue service. – Ed.
Clarification: The Hackney Citizen reiterates that Remi Makinde has provided no evidence to support her allegations regarding Elzbieta Gontarska and Stokey Cats and Dogs.
