SCAM AWARENESSPet adoption scams
Pet adoption scams use photos of adorable puppies, kittens, or other pets to take money from people looking for a new companion. The seller posts an ad on a website or social media, often at a low price or as a "free to a good home" listing. The pet does not exist, and the payments keep coming.
How this scam works
You find a listing with cute photos and a sad or sweet story, such as an owner who moved or a breeder with one puppy left. The seller replies quickly but always has a reason you cannot visit, like living in another state. They ask for a deposit or adoption fee by payment app, wire, or gift card.
Next, a fake shipping or pet transport company contacts you. It says the pet is on the way but needs money for a special crate, insurance, vaccines, or a quarantine fee. Each payment leads to a new problem and a new fee. Sometimes they threaten that you will be charged with animal abandonment if you stop paying. The pet never arrives.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGE"Hi! Bella is still available and ready for her new home. We are out of state, so we use a pet delivery service. Please send the $350 adoption fee by payment app today, then the shipper will contact you about the travel crate and insurance."
Warning signs
- The seller will not let you visit or video chat with the pet.
- The price is far below normal for that breed.
- They want payment by payment app, wire transfer, gift card, or crypto.
- A shipper asks for surprise fees for crates, insurance, or vaccines.
- Pet photos also appear in other ads under different names.
- You get threats of legal trouble if you stop paying.
How to protect yourself
- Adopt from a local shelter or rescue that you can visit in person.
- Insist on meeting the pet, or at least a live video call, before paying anything.
- Search the pet photos online to see if they appear in other ads.
- Pay with a credit card when possible, which offers more protection than wires or gift cards.
- Be suspicious of any seller who refuses to let you pick up the pet.
- Ask a local veterinarian for advice about finding reputable breeders.
If you already responded
- Stop paying, no matter what the seller or shipper says will happen to the pet.
- If you paid by card, call your card company using the number on your card and dispute the charge.
- If you used a payment app or wire, contact the service and your bank right away.
- Save the ad, photos, messages, and payment receipts.
- Report the scam to the FTC and IC3, and report the ad to the website where you found it.
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Where to report it
Common questions
How can I tell if a puppy seller is real?
A real seller or breeder will let you meet the puppy and its mother in person, or at least do a live video call. They will answer questions and provide vet records. Search the photos online, and be careful if the price is very low or the seller pushes you to pay before you see the animal.
Is it safe to have a pet shipped to me?
Shipping a pet you have never seen is risky, and fake pet transport companies are a common part of these scams. If a pet must travel, confirm the seller in person first and arrange transport yourself with a company you looked up independently. Never pay surprise fees for crates or insurance.
Can I get my money back from a pet scam?
It depends on how you paid. Credit card payments can often be disputed. Wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, and crypto are much harder to reverse. Contact your bank or payment service right away. Be careful of anyone who offers to recover your money for a fee, which is another scam.