The Animal Scam: Star Touch exclusive

Animal lovers have donated almost $9 million since 1998 to a Toronto-based group of charities the federal taxman has been trying to shut down for years.

The Humane Society of Canada, not to be confused with the Toronto Humane Society and other legitimate animal groups, is run by Toronto’s Michael O’Sullivan. He is well-known for making personal appeals for donor dollars, telling people that his charity is saving the world, one animal at a time.

“When it comes to fighting cruelty and violence, we don’t give up, ever,” says a frequent pitch made by the charity.

A Star investigation tracks the charity’s work from its emotional pitches to the way it raises dollars. Along the way, the investigation revealed some high-profile donors, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

And despite knowing of serious problems with the charity, the federal taxman never warned donors. The hard-earned charity dollars contributed to O’Sullivan’s group paid for trips, theatre tickets and booze. Better spent, that $9 million could have been used to vaccinate 1.8 million animals or shelter almost 300,000 needy animals for a day.

Read the full behind-the-scenes account exclusively on Star Touch, the Toronto Star’s amazing news app, available free on your iPad at the App Store.