A DOGS' home based in Grappenhall has issued an urgent warning to members of the public after its Facebook page was hacked and cloned.

Cheshire Dogs’ Home, which is located on Knutsford Road, is urging people not to be fooled by scammers who have taken over the page for financial gain.

They say that the hackers are trying to use the page to extort money from other users under the guise of donations – something the home would never ask for.

A sister business, Manchester Dogs’ Home in Harpurhey, has also been targeted and is experiencing similar problems.

Anna Stansfield, manager at Cheshire Dogs’ Home, said: “At both our sites, we have fantastic relationships with the local communities and with our very dedicated supporters.

“We are appalled to find that someone is trying to scam them illegally using our name.”

Warrington Guardian: Cheshire Dogs’ Home on Knutsford Road near Grappenhall (Image: Google Maps)Cheshire Dogs’ Home on Knutsford Road near Grappenhall (Image: Google Maps)

Manchester Dogs’ Home manager Steve Mapley added: “We are dealing with this as a matter of urgency, but it has also come to our attention that whoever has done this is also trying to extract money from members of the public.

“I would like to remind people that we never approach members of the public by phone or online for donations.

“Anyone doing so is doing it illegally and without our consent.”

Charities are often targeted by criminals seeking to take money from well-meaning members of the public, but this is the first time the two homes’ page has been hacked and cloned.

Both Cheshire and Manchester dogs’ homes re-home an incredible 94 per cent of the dogs that pass through their doors.