Puppy and Pet Scams: How to Buy a Pet Safely Online

Pet scams — particularly puppy and kitten fraud — surged dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic when demand for pets soared and in-person viewings were restricted. Despite restrictions lifting, these scams remain common and cause significant financial and emotional harm to victims who were hoping to welcome a new pet into their family.

How Pet Scams Work

Fraudsters advertise puppies, kittens, or other pets online — on classified ad sites, social media, and even dedicated pet sale websites. The advertisements feature attractive photos (often stolen from legitimate breeders) and competitive prices. When a buyer expresses interest, they are asked to pay a deposit to "reserve" the pet.

After the deposit is paid, problems emerge: the pet needs vaccinations, insurance, or a special transport crate. Each request extracts more money. Eventually, the seller stops responding and the buyer is left with no pet and no money.

Warning Signs

Red Flag	What It Suggests
Price significantly below breed average	Too good to be true
Seller cannot allow viewing in person	Pet does not exist
Photos look professional or appear elsewhere online	Stolen images
Requests for bank transfer or cryptocurrency	Untraceable payment
Additional fees after initial payment	Advance fee fraud
Seller based abroad but advertising locally	Major red flag

How to Buy a Pet Safely

Always see the pet in person before paying anything. Reputable breeders will insist on this. Ask to see the pet with its mother. Check the seller's identity — ask for their name and address and verify it. Use the Kennel Club's Find a Puppy service or similar reputable registries. Never pay by bank transfer — use a credit card or PayPal for buyer protection.

Reporting Pet Scams

Report suspected fraud to Report Fraud and to the platform where the advertisement appeared. Keep the listing, payment references, and messages; they may be useful to your bank and to an investigator.