Fake Money Used at a Store in Dutchess County

A Dutchess County animal rescue is warning others after someone used counterfeit money at its thrift store, something they say is hitting a lot harder than people might think.

The Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts of Dutchess County (CARE of DC) spoke out on social media after someone walked into their shop and used a fake $10 bill during a busy weekend shift.

A Small Bill, A Big Problem in Dutchess County, NY

According to the rescue, which relies heavily on its thrift store to stay afloat, the fake bill was passed on a Saturday, one of their busiest days, when everything in the store is already discounted.

And while $10 might not sound like much, for them it actually is. That’s food. That’s supplies. That’s care for animals that depend on them.

Right now, the rescue says they’re in the middle of “kitten season,” when shelters are flooded with litters of newborns and their mothers. Resources are tight, and every dollar matters.

“We’re Already Stretched Thin”

In a message shared publicly, the rescue didn’t hide their frustration.

They explained that their thrift store isn’t just extra income, it’s the backbone of their entire operation. It funds food, medical care, and gives them the ability to take in more animals.

Without it, they say, they simply couldn’t do what they do.

What makes this even more frustrating is that the store intentionally keeps prices low so the community can afford to shop there. They even offer half-off sales on weekends to make things more accessible.

And that’s exactly when the fake bill was handed over.

A Reminder That It All Adds Up

It’s frustrating to see something like this happen, especially to a small rescue already stretched thin, but they say they’re not giving up.

“Today we’re feeling hurt, disappointed, frustrated, and honestly just really sad,” a spokesperson said. “We’ll keep going, we always do, but I hope this reminds people that even small actions can have a real impact, especially on small rescues like ours trying to do the best we can every single day.”

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They’re hoping this serves as a reminder: what seems small or harmless to one person can have very real consequences for organizations working every day just to keep up.

If you would like to help the folks at Care of DC continue with their efforts, please consider donating online here. Or visit their thrift store at 1 Commerce Court, in Wappingers Falls, NY.