Case - Investigation into “Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation et al” (AHWF)

At Litigation for Animal Welfare (LAW), our mission is to protect animals from harm—wherever and however it occurs. When individuals or organizations operating under the guise of animal rescue exploit that mission for personal gain, mislead donors, or cause harm to animals, we act. LAW has launched an ongoing investigation into the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, founder Marc Ching, and his affiliated charities following a troubling pattern of allegations involving animal abuse, donor deception, and serious financial irregularities.

BACKGROUND

MarC Ching rose to prominence as an outspoken advocate against the Asian dog meat trade, gaining global attention for his graphic content and emotional appeals. Through his nonprofit work—primarily under the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation—Ching claimed to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from slaughterhouses and abuse overseas.

However, over time, a growing number of whistleblowers, investigators, donors, and adopters have raised red flags, including:

• Fabricated or misleading rescue narratives

• Graphic content staged for social media and fundraising purposes

• Severe neglect and suffering of animals in Ching’s care

• Misuse of charitable donations and lack of financial transparency

• Retaliation and intimidation of critics, including threats of litigation

Some of the most serious claims include animals being subjected to further trauma or death during or after rescue, raising urgent questions about intent, ethics, and accountability.

In 2021, Ching was found guilty of practicing veterinary medicine without a license. In August 2021, he pleaded no contest to this misdemeanor charge in Los Angeles, following an investigation by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Ching was sentenced to 12 months of summary probation and fined $1,000, along with additional penalty assessments. He also agreed to refrain from making false or misleading statements in marketing his business or on his websites.

The investigation revealed that Ching diagnosed ailments and prescribed treatments for pets without the necessary veterinary license. Additionally, his pet food business, The PetStaurant, was found to have made false claims about its products, including labeling non-organic food as organic and providing unproven instructions for treating various pet ailments.

While Ching faced other misdemeanor charges related to false advertising and the unlawful manufacture and sale of pet food, these were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Furthermore, Ching has faced criticism for allegedly exaggerating or fabricating stories of animal abuse to solicit donations for his foundation. A 2020 investigation by the Los Angeles Times reported that some of the abuse claims made by Ching and his foundation lacked evidence or were contradicted by veterinary examinations.

WHY IS LAW INVESTIGATING

The allegations against Marc Ching and his affiliated entities strike at the heart of what it means to operate as a legitimate animal rescue. The emotional weight and global attention surrounding his brand make it all the more essential that truth—not spectacle—prevails. After his conviction, many in the animal welfare space hoped that Ching would disappear, instead he has taken a less visible role, but continues to operate.

LAW’s investigations are focused on:

• Violations of U.S. and international animal welfare laws

• Charitable fraud and donor deception

• Mishandling or mistreatment of animals in both overseas and U.S. facilities

• Civil rights violations, including suppression of whistleblower activity

• Coordination with local and federal agencies to pursue enforcement actions where warranted

This is not about character assassination—it is about protecting animals from harm, safeguarding public trust in the nonprofit sector, and ensuring justice for those who were misled or silenced.

SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION

Our ongoing investigation includes:

• Interviews with former staff, volunteers, and whistleblowers

• Review of nonprofit filings, donor appeals, and social media campaigns

• Veterinary and shelter records of rescued animals

• Legal research related to donor protection, false advertising, and cruelty statutes

• Cooperation with government regulators and advocacy groups

We are also reviewing potential class action claims on behalf of donors and adopters whose trust—and in some cases, money—may have been abused.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

As with all our investigations, LAW is approaching this matter with both urgency and fairness. We are committed to uncovering the truth and advocating for systemic reform where needed. If wrongdoing is found, we will not hesitate to pursue legal remedies and/or refer the case to appropriate authorities.

Our goal is not to undermine effective shelter efforts—but to ensure that shelters, in name and practice, truly benefits the animals.

Costs associated with investigating AHWF and potentially filing a suit against the organization could exceed $150K. Donations towards the ongoing investigations would be appreciated.