Furore over the Furry Ones in Australia

The South Australian media reports that a cat shelter run by a former exotic dancer has lost its charity licence to solicit for funds after donations were allegedly used for online gambling.

Nicky Hocking, the dancer who founded Adelaide-based The Furry Ones cat charity, has denied the allegation and reminded the public of the good work her charity does.

The South Australian Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, Dini Soulio, announced the suspension of The Furry Ones charity licence following a tip-off that donations were ending up with an unnamed online gambling company.

The Commissioner claimed in a statement that Consumer and Business Services (CBS) received information that some of the funds raised by The Furry Ones charity were being transferred to a company associated with online casinos.

“Our investigations also indicate that other accounts associated with the charity have not been audited, as is required under the Collection for Charitable Purposes Act,” Soulio said.

“The allegations have been put to the licence holder, but she has failed to respond to any contact from CBS.

“In this case, I have made a determination that the funds being raised for a charitable purpose were being mismanaged or misapplied, and the licence was revoked.

“I would warn South Australians not to donate to this organisation.”

Hocking says that the allegations are false and that her charity is cooperating with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission in an enquiry which she is confident will clear her name.

“Just a reminder for those that believe these allegations that we have in fact cared for and rehomed over 2000 animals over the past few years, needing vet work, medicating, parasite treatments and top quality food which is not cheap,” Hocking said in a Facebook statement.

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