Pet Adoption & Puppy Purchase Scams

Hello Scam Wise readers! 🐾 Are you or someone you know looking to add a furry friend to the family? Adopting or buying a pet should be a joyful experience, but sadly, pet scams are running rampant online. Scammers post adorable puppy photos or heart-wrenching rescue stories to tug at your emotions – and then tug money out of your wallet. In this newsletter, we’ll show you how to sniff out fake pet offers, so you only spend your love (and money) on a real pet, not a phantom.

Scam Prevention Tips for Pet Seekers

• Too cute + too cheap = trouble: If you find a purebred puppy online for an unbelievably low price (or “free to a good home” but you just pay shipping), be cautious. Scammers often lure victims with below-market prices or “free” pets then pile on fake fees (shipping crates, insurance, etc.). A $500 purebred Golden Retriever advertised online is likely a scam. Always research typical prices for the breed you want and be skeptical of extreme bargains.
• Never pay by gift card or wire transfer: Reputable breeders or adoption agencies will accept safe payment methods (credit cards, verified PayPal, etc.) – scammers insist on hard-to-trace methods like Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, or gift cards. If a seller tells you to pick up Target gift cards to cover a “pet delivery fee,” run . Use a credit card for pet-related purchases whenever possible; it offers fraud protection if things go awry.
• Demand to see the pet “live”: Insist on a video call or an in-person meeting to see the actual puppy or kitten. Scammers usually steal cute photos from the internet. A live video chat (or visiting the breeder/rescue) is a great way to confirm the pet exists and is as advertised. If the seller makes excuses (camera broken, out of the country, etc.) and won’t do a video meet-and-greet, that’s a red flag.
• Check references and reviews: If you’re dealing with a breeder or pet transport service you found online, do some digging. Look for independent reviews or complaints. You can copy and paste email addresses, phone numbers, or phrases from their ad into a search engine – often, others have reported scams using those same details. No hits? Try searching “[seller name] + scam” to be sure. Legitimate rescues and breeders will also often be able to provide veterinarian references or previous buyer references if you ask.
• Beware sob stories and urgency: Pet scammers often spin emotional tales – e.g., “I’m being deployed and need to rehome my puppy immediately, I’ll waive the fee if you just cover shipping!” – and pressure you to act fast. They’re exploiting your empathy. A genuine rescue or seller will be happy to let you take your time and will screen you as much as you screen them . If someone is pushing you to pay quickly because the “puppy might die” or “others are interested,” step back and reassess.

Real-Life Scam Example

Imagine thinking you’re getting the puppy of your dreams, only to end up empty-handed and out $2,000. That’s what happened in a recent FTC case involving a “phantom Yorkshire Terrier” scam . Here’s how it went down: Scammers advertised a “free Yorkie puppy” – claiming the poor pup was stranded at an airport due to customs issues. All the “buyer” had to pay was $1,500 in various fees to get the pup released and delivered. After the first payment, the scammers came back asking for an extra $500 for a special shipping crate. The puppy, of course, never existed at all . The victims were left not only heartbroken but also swindled out of $2,000.

This case is sadly common. Thousands of people every year fall for similar pet adoption scams. In fact, authorities estimate that in 2024, pet scams (both fake sales and bogus rescues) defrauded consumers of tens of millions of dollars . Some scammers create entire fake rescue organizations, complete with professional-looking websites and social media pages. For example, a network posing as the “Uganda SPCA” collected donations for dogs “saved from slaughter,” tugging at donor heartstrings – but the money was funneled offshore and the animals didn’t receive proper care.

Another twist: scammers impersonate shipping companies or authorities to extract more money. Victims report after paying once, they get contacted by a fake “pet courier service” or “airport quarantine officer” demanding additional payment for insurance or vaccinations before the pet can be delivered. These fraudsters even cite fake government regulations to sound legit (e.g., “Federal pet quarantine law section 4 requires a $200 fee” – total nonsense). Remember: if you’ve paid a seller and then someone else contacts you for more money, it’s almost certainly a continuation of the scam.

The emotional toll is huge too – people not only lose money, but also the excitement of expecting a new pet is dashed. We’ve seen college students scammed while trying to buy a puppy for their mom, and families who thought they were adopting a rescue dog for their kids. The best way to fight back is by sharing these stories so others recognize the setup before it happens to them.

Scam Radar: What’s Trending Now?

Pet scams have unfortunately skyrocketed in the past few years , especially during times when in-person shopping is harder (like the pandemic). Scammers love when demand is high. For example, during COVID lockdowns, pet adoption scams exploded as many people sought furry companionship. Now in 2025, a new variant to watch is the “injured pet scam” targeting current pet owners. The FTC recently warned that scammers are calling pet owners, claiming their cat or dog was found injured and needs immediate surgery – “Pay $500 now for emergency vet via gift card or your pet won’t make it” . It’s hard to imagine, but in the panic many pet parents might pay before realizing their pet is safe at home. These phony emergency calls play on our deepest fears. If you ever get such a call, pause and verify – call your vet or whoever supposedly contacted you. It’s likely a cruel scam.

On the adoption front, social media remains a hotbed for pet scams. Facebook groups and Craigslist ads are common places scammers post fake listings of puppies. Some even hack Facebook accounts to send messages to friends saying “I got a new job and can’t keep my dog, do you want to adopt him?” It appears to come from someone you know, but it’s actually a scammer using that account (Consumer Rescue recently highlighted this type of Facebook friend grant/pet scam). Always be skeptical of unsolicited pet offers, even from a “friend” online – call that friend directly to confirm.

The good news: authorities are cracking down. Just recently, a multi-national sting operation led to arrests of pet scammers in West Africa. And platforms like Facebook Marketplace have implemented new rules – e.g., requiring identity verification for pet listings , which reportedly reduced scams by 40%. Still, many scammers operate on the fringes, so our best defense is awareness.

Extra Protection: Aura’s Identity Protection for Online Buyers

You might be wondering, how does identity protection relate to pet scams? Consider this: during a pet scam, you often hand over personal information – your name, address, maybe even banking details – to the fraudster. This puts you at risk of identity theft on top of the lost money. A service like Aura can’t get your money back from a scammer, but it can monitor to ensure the info you shared isn’t further abused. For instance, if you sent your driver’s license or filled out a phony “adoption application” with your Social Security number (some scammers go that far), Aura would watch to see if those details pop up in criminal marketplaces or if someone tries to use them for loans or credi. Aura also offers fraud resolution support – they have experts who guide you on what to do if you suspect your identity’s been compromised. Think of it as a safety net: while you focus on spotting scams, Aura quietly watches your back. Interested in learning more? Check out Aura’s features here. It’s one more way to ensure a scam attempt doesn’t turn into a long-term headache.

Quick Takeaways

• See the pet before you pay: Do a video call or in-person visit to verify the animal’s real. Scammers will avoid live meetups – they usually can’t produce a real pet on camera.
• No weird payments: If a seller asks for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto, it’s a scam. Legitimate breeders and rescues won’t require iTunes gift cards as payment!
• Expect paperwork and questions: Real adoptions involve applications, contracts, vet records, etc.. Scammers often just push for payment without any formal process or concern for your ability to care for the pet.
• Emotions in check: Don’t let an adorable photo or a sad story cloud your judgment. Scammers are expert emotional manipulators. Stick to the facts – verify, research, and don’t rush.
• Spread the word: If you encounter a pet scam ad or approach, report it (to the FTC, local Humane Society, or pet scam tracking sites) and warn others. The more people know, the fewer will fall for these heartless tricks.

We hope your next pet search leads you to a legitimate, loving companion. ❤️🐶 Stay safe, and we’ll fetch more scam-fighting tips for you in the next issue of Scam Wise!