An animal rescue group in Santiago de Cuba has taken to social media to expose a man who is pretending to be a veterinarian, exploiting people's love for their pets to commit fraud. A person known as Ariel La Sirenita KG issued a warning in the Facebook group “SALBA (Santiagueros for Animal Welfare)” about an alleged scammer impersonating a veterinarian. This individual is reportedly using the name of their organization or the Versalles "Mis Sueños" veterinary clinic to deceive pet owners in Santiago de Cuba.
The accusation indicates that this con artist takes advantage of the trust people place in home veterinary services to carry out his deception. “This man, whose identity is unknown, is posing as a veterinarian from SALBA or the Versalles 'Mis Sueños' clinic,” the post states, clarifying that veterinarians from these institutions do not conduct home visits unless it is an extreme emergency verified by their supervisor, Reina Saco.
Protecting Pet Owners from Fraud
In light of this situation, the animal rescue group advised pet owners to request identification from anyone claiming to be a veterinarian and to verify their credentials by calling the clinic directly at 22691266. They emphasized the importance of vigilance to safeguard their animals and avoid falling victim to scams.
The message ended with a pressing reminder: “Take care of your pet.” This incident highlights the susceptibility of pet owners to individuals who exploit their trust and affection for animals for fraudulent purposes.
Concerns Over Veterinary Care in Cuba
In September, a person in Havana publicly shared on social media that her four-year-old Pekingese dog passed away after receiving no care at a state veterinary clinic. Cyrex Vega reported in the Facebook group “Sociedad protectora de animales en Cuba” that she noticed her dog was having breathing difficulties and took her to the clinic located at 29 between 62 and 64, Buenavista, in the Playa municipality, as it was the closest.
Vega emphasized that despite the veterinarian still being present, he refused to treat the dog, claiming his shift had ended, and advised her to seek help elsewhere.
Criticism of Animal Treatment Practices
Recently, another animal protection advocate criticized Cuban institutions responsible for nature conservation, expressing outrage over the promotion of red squirrel sales in Havana. In a Facebook post, Elizabeth Marela Cardoso Pérez harshly criticized vendors who, according to her, profit from the suffering of animals without any knowledge of their care and handling.