Pet Adoption Scams
Dodging Heartbreak
Imagine you have been wanting a puppy. You spend much time online researching breeds for the right fit into your household. What pops up in your search is pictures of the perfect pooch with a heartwarming story to match. Excitement fills the air. You’re on a mission, and nothing will stop you from bringing home your new best friend.
The first thing you do is call the adoption agency to ask if Fido is still available. The representative explained the adoption process and assured you he would soon be yours. All that is needed is to pay a modest adoption fee and a small amount for Fido’s initial vaccinations and travel arrangements. You immediately pay the fees, set the arrival date, and celebrate by buying all the proper puppy paraphernalia to make a warm and welcoming home for your new family member.
The day has arrived for Fido to come home, and you expect it will be around noon. But an hour goes by, and then two without any sign of your dog. You try calling the adoption agency numerous times, but no one answers. You have unfortunately fallen victim to a pet adoption scam. These scams typically involve fake listings of pets and upfront costs.
These stories of disappointments are all too common. Con artists find easy targets in these situations because our emotions make us vulnerable. These circumstances are when it is necessary to be most cautious.
When pet shopping, conducting as much research as possible on the agency you use is important. Legitimate organizations will have transparent adoption processes, they have verifiable contact information, and may even conduct home visits or interviews before finalizing an adoption. Always be skeptical of requests for payment in advance. Legitimate organizations will usually require payment once your adoption is final.
Contact your local authorities immediately if you have fallen victim to a pet adoption scam. Below is a list of places to report to help others not fall victim to the same pet adoption scam.
- File a report with BBB’s Scam Tracker
- Report at Petscams.com
- File a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission