Avoid Puppy Scams
Holiday commercials can be so romantic and convincing. Advertisements portray a puppy with a red bow bounding out a home into the fresh snow, or a man presenting a puppy to his partner as a gift moments before she gives him a new pick-up truck. They are cute ideas, sure. Commercials like this are designed to trigger an emotional response, and it’s those emotions that scammers aim to take advantage of.
First, let me be very clear – puppies aren’t gifts. A pet is a 15-year commitment. They are a living being that requires love, attention, food, exercise, training, and health care. On average, the first year with a puppy will cost guardians $1800, and the cost of health care doesn’t go down. The bigger they get, the more expensive it can be to provide proper care. So, let me say it one more time… PUPPIES AREN’T GIFTS!
But let’s assume that you realize that puppies shouldn’t be gifted – and that you’ve done your due diligence. You are ready to take the next steps in finding your new pet. Beware of the puppy and pet scams that are prevalent on the internet, particularly during the holiday season.
Here are some tips to help you avoid a puppy scam:
Avoid websites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Instead, work with a reputable rescue agency or shelter. Fun fact – nearly 80% of dogs in rescue groups and shelters are purebred!
Never make a commitment until you’ve met the potential pet. Unless you are paying an adoption or application fee directly to a shelter or rescue group – it is likely a scam!
Use a protected form of payment. Many scammers cannot process credit cards and may ask for alternative methods of payments like gift cards or prepaid debit cards. A reputable agency will never ask for payments like that. Avoid sending payments through wire transfers, Zelle or CashApp or other apps where your payment may not be protected.
Never accept an online listing, website, or sad story at face value. It’s easy to throw up a professional-looking website with fake addresses and reviews! Also, be wary of “sponsored links.” Scammers understand that boosted online listings lure users into believing they are legitimate. A study by the BBB in 2017 found that 80% of all sponsored search links may be fraudulent!
Be wary of sudden demands for more money or the sudden addition of new charges for transport, medical costs, pet insurance or “climate-controlled crates.” These are all potential red flags, so buyer beware!
Do a reverse online image search of any photos you receive. Many scammers will steal and use real images from legitimate websites and pass them off as their own for a puppy that may not exist!
I don’t want to suggest that every ad on Craigslist or the like is a scam. However, you are far more likely to encounter a scam when looking at these types of sites. The best way to avoid a pet scam, is to go directly to your local humane society. Rescuing a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have in life. Adopt, don’t shop.
Oh, and remember – PUPPIES AREN’T GIFTS!
Until next time,
CO
A special thanks to:
http://coldnosesnews.com/
