The world is filled with dog lovers who sometimes go out of their way to spend a fortune buying and caring for their pets. While these genuine people truly care for dogs, those with bad intentions lurk around to look for dog lovers who’d fall for their scams. From fraudulent “breeders” to injured animal scammers, these scammers play on the emotions to gain money from dog lovers. Even scams that were reported years ago continue to be a problem today. Here are 15 Dog Scams to watch out for so you won’t fall prey.
15. Dog Microchipping Scam
Dogs get thrilled by the outdoors, so whenever they spot an opportunity with the house door open, they’ll seize the chance to go outside. This has been one of the many problems of dog owners, which is why a microchip system placed on a dog’s nape was invented. It keeps a record of your pet so they would have an identification if ever they get lost.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) issued a warning on a website called UK Pet Chip Registry, as advertised on Google when you search for ‘pet microchipping.’ The website claims that for a charge of £15, they will add your dog’s records to a so-called National Pet Microchip Registration Database. However, it is not certified by the government of the United Kingdom.
How to avoid: Don’t trust pet microchipping services that you see online. Always go straight to reputable microchipping services. With a quick online search on government websites, you can verify if your country recognizes the microchipping company.
14. Fake Dog Breeder Certificates
We are all wary of fake certificates and licenses of people pretending to be professionals. This fake certificate case can even apply to breeders. Often, these “breeders” tend to scam dog buyers by taking their money or sending a different dog from what they agreed on.
Back in 2023, Fox News reported that the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) warned the public of fake dog breeders certificates after two separate cases that they handled involving scammers. Some potential dog buyers contacted the MDARD to verify the certificates sent by scammers, and they found them fake.
How to avoid: Before transacting with a breeder, make sure to get a copy of their Dog Breeder Certificates and verify it with your state’s office that handles matters on dog breeder certification to check its authenticity. Make sure not to do any transactions online; meet with the breeder and the dog you plan to buy several times before deciding. It may also help to adopt a dog instead at your local shelters.
13. Dog Shipping Scam
The Pet Shipping scam has been a headache for both dog breeders and clients. They’ve been destroying arrangements and schedules, making it a hassle and a negative experience for dog lovers.
A Facebook group called Pet Transporter Reviews is a page where pet lovers post about their experiences with different pet transporter services. This is where Michaela Hathcock shared her bad experience with a scammer posing as a USDA-approved shipper. The man offered to deliver her pet to her doorstep and asked for only $300 for the total shipping cost and a $150 balance. Hathcock asked for the man’s ID, which he was able to send. With this, Hathcock sent a $150 balance. However, she couldn’t reach for the man anymore, and he never showed up.
How to avoid: Never place your trust in people you’ve only met on social media. Either pick up the pet from the breeder yourself or, if that’s not possible, hire a reputable pet transportation service. While the costs might be high, ensuring your pet’s safety and your own peace of mind is worth it.
12. Online Lost Dog Scam
When owners lost their dogs in the past, they placed missing dog posters around the neighborhood with little to no chance of finding them. But now, owners can post on different social media pages, and even those who found the dogs can post them for the world to see. Sadly, even this move has been used by swindlers to scam dog lovers.
One incident happened in Okanagan-Shuswap in the province of British Columbia, Canada, as reported by Summerland Review. Facebook buy-and-sell groups in the area started posting pictures of different dogs with the same captions. They will reply to people who are interested in adopting the dog while asking for an “adoption fee.” Another route is to take the email addresses of some concerned commenters and try to log in with the email using a code that lets them change their passwords.
How to avoid: Read the post carefully before interacting and visit the profile of the person who posted. Use the copy-paste option to search whether they used a caption similar to other posts, and if you suspect it to be a fake post, report it immediately. In cases in which there is a code sent to your email log, make sure you don’t send them to anyone. Change all your account passwords immediately so the scammer can’t get a hold of your account.
11. Pet-sitting Scam
Pet-sitters, beware because this next scam targets people like you! Imagine getting a message about a job offer in which a seemingly nice owner offered a good hourly rate. After you accept the job offer, the owners ask for your sensitive personal information, such as your name, address, social security number, and banking information. Seems sketchy, right?
On ABC 7 News, Bria shared how she became a victim of a pet-sitting scam. She got hired using the pet-sitter services app called Wag! platform. The owner asked for Bria’s number, and she realized that the person was a Wag! representative. Bria gave her login credentials to the “representative,” later, she realized that she lost almost $200 on her account.
How to avoid: Never give anyone your personal information, especially sensitive details such as login credentials, social security numbers, and banking information. When people connect with you, do thorough research by asking them about their social media accounts to verify their details. If the person presents red flags, block them immediately.
10. Injured Dog Posts
Dog lovers have a heart of gold, and seeing injured dogs on their social media feeds breaks their hearts. Usually, strangers post pictures of injured dogs on social media pages, asking for any monetary donations for medical expenses. Sadly, some of these posts aren’t real and have been shared by different scammers online.
ABC News Australia reported a series of online posts in 2023 about Jenny, the Chihuahua who died after a hit-and-run incident. It was Jason Cooke who originally posted photos of Jenny to look for her owner. Later on, he was informed that his photos were making rounds on different Facebook groups with an emotionally manipulative story. After the post has garnered enough reactions and shares, the scammers will post a suspicious link asking for credit card details, or they will change the post about advertisements for cheap real estate.
How to avoid: Read the post carefully and look for the person’s profile. You can also see if there are similar posts by doing a reverse Google image search where you can see similar photos posted or through the copy-paste option for the caption. If you suspect the post is a scam, make sure to hit report.
9. Pet Insurance Scam
There is insurance available for anything and anyone, including pets! Dog owners often get their dogs their own insurance to get money whenever their dog needs it for veterinary medical expenses. However, some owners (and even veterinarians) get tempted to create false reports and scam insurance companies.
The veterinarian doctor named Donal Johnson was found guilty after creating a fake account of pets as part of an insurance scam, the Independent reported. He invented an account for nonexistent dogs named Bruce and Sophie to be paid in a bank account he owned. Between October 2013 and April 2019, he received a total amount of £5,370 and forged his colleague’s signature for all of the fake records he made.
He was also found to receive medical expenses from some of their clients, who let him create their insurance claim.
How to avoid: It’s unfortunate how insurance companies were fooled by a fake profile when they had their own ways of verifying medical records. As a dog owner, all you can do is ensure that the insurance company you enrolled your dog in is reputable, but don’t ever put in a huge amount of money on it; put it in your bank account instead.
8. Dog Bite Scam
We have heard stories of dog bites that led to legal disputes after owners refused to pay for the medical expenses of victims bitten by their dogs. However, scammers did, too, which gave them an idea for their new scam venture to gain dispute money.
In 2023, Clyde & Co. reported a case of a fake dog-biting scam where delivery driver Sean Dore claimed that he was bitten by a Labrador named Marley, charging the owners with medical injuries and repair for his delivery car’s scratches. However, Marley’s owners became suspicious as they have known her to be a gentle dog. Luckily, they had CCTV footage which showed that Marley was friendly in the presence of Dore and that she even wagged her tail while greeting him. This landed Dore on hot waters as the judge fined him due to dishonesty.
How to avoid: Owners should keep in mind that their dogs must be their own responsibility. They must learn how to train them on aggressiveness and proper behavior. If in public places, keep them away from people and don’t allow them to touch your dog. Keep them on a leash or in a bag. You can also install CCTV cameras on your porch and around the vicinity of your home, like what Marley’s owners did. It would save you from potential scammers who would try to take money from you by creating a false story about how your dog bit them.
7. Dog Adoption Scam
Have you experienced love at first sight upon seeing a dog up for adoption online? You feel your heart thugging as you imagine a life with your new furry friend and all the adventures you’ll go on. You paid an adoption fee and shipping costs to wait for the dog on your doorstep. However, it never came, and much worse is that the person you’re transacting with is asking you for extra hidden charges.
Dog lover Alea Taylor shared her experience with ABC News about her bad experience with a Facebook user. While scrolling through the app, she fell in love with cute Yorkshire puppies posted by her Facebook friend, and that person is someone that her mother knows personally. The post asks to adopt the puppies as soon as possible as it claims they are moving apartments. After communicating with the Facebook friend, she paid a rehoming fee of $250 as agreed upon, but before getting the puppy, the Facebook friend requested an additional $80. Taylor felt uneasy, so she reached out to the Facebook friend personally and soon learned that her Facebook account had been hacked.
How to avoid: Never transact huge amounts online, even if you know the seller personally. Instead, pay them a visit to see the dog and discuss the terms. If you have decided to get the dog, wire them the money on the spot to avoid being a victim of puppy scams.
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6. Animal Control Impostors
Another way that scammers can break the hearts of dog owners is by pretending to be animal control employees and demanding money from dog owners.
Scott Teason from Vallejo, California, shared with ABC 7 News that a man claiming to be from San Francisco Animal Care Control (SFACC) informed him that their office had his dog, Squirt. He asked for a photo, but the man could not give it to him since he said that Squirt had been brought to the veterinary office. Instead, he described what the dog looked like, which Teason found very promising. But suddenly, the employee asked for $79 as a release fee. Teason found it suspicious, so he called SFACC, who later told him it was a scam.
How to avoid: If someone claiming to be from your city’s animal control told you they have their dog, have them send you a picture or ask for a video call as proof. If they denied your request, it’s a clear red flag. If you want to calm your senses, you can always call your city’s animal control office and verify the information.
5. Dogfishing Scam
Do you remember the hit MTV series Catfish, where people had their online relationships investigated? Most of the time, they’re exposed as identity thieves, or they are the same person who digitally alters their photos and lies about who they are. Believe it or not, this happens to online dog buyers, too.
Shawn Rawlison shared a story with The Dog Store about his client, a Dogfishing Scam victim. He bought a pedigree puppy Labrador from a well-known gundog kennels breeder for £750 plus a £50 charge. Upon seeing the dog, they suspected it to be a cross Labrador Flatcoated Retriever. To make matters worse, the breeder altered the dog’s Pedigree certificate and registration information, as there are discrepancies in the AP registration number. The breeder also possibly lied about the dog’s age, claiming it to be 15 weeks old. But looking at the teeth, it has sharper fangs than a regular puppy.
How to avoid: It’s fine to look for a dog online but make it from a reputable breeder. If interested, request a meet-up with the breeder to check on the dog. View the dog’s certificate and learn how to spot discrepancies. If you have doubts even after visiting the dog you plan to buy, walk away and look for another one.
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4. Pet Cremation Service Scam
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, so when it’s time for them to cross the rainbow bridge, owners do everything to celebrate their pet’s life. Some owners opt to have their dogs cremated and placed in a jar where they will be able to take them wherever they go, so they take the services of pet cremation businesses. But what would you do if, in these sad and heartbreaking times, you were faced with a stressful pet cremation situation?
Some pet owners experienced an ordeal with a pet cremation service called We Care Pet Cremation, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Numerous customers complained on Yelp that We Care would be easy to talk to at first, but after you put your deceased pet under their care and transfer the money, they become unresponsive or take a long time to respond. One of their customers, Vanessa, complained that it had been two months since they had taken her dog, yet she had not heard anything from them. It turns out that We Care does not have a crematorium, so they bring animals to other companies’ facilities to be cremated.
How to avoid: If your dog is showing signs that they will soon cross the rainbow bridge, it’s time to plan to save yourself from future stress. Check out pet cremation services online around your area or nearby, and look at their reviews on social media and sites where they offer crowd-sourced reviews of businesses. If the page seems sketchy or has mixed reviews, run and save yourself from emotional distress.
3. Service Dog Scam
Different dog buyers have different preferences when purchasing a dog. Some opt for well-trained service dogs, so they scrimp off a large amount of money to purchase one. However, to their disappointment, the dog they acquired is untrained, fearful, and aggressive — a complete total nightmare.
As reported by Whole Dog Journal, such a case happened with Roanake-based service dogs with Warren Retrievers, where a Virginia attorney sued them back in May 2018. Allegedly, they sold dogs for $18,000 to $27,000 when they weren’t even responding even to the most basic commands. They received over 50 complaints from Warren Retrievers customers.
How to avoid: When buying a trained dog, make sure that you are buying from a reputable service dog company and meet them in person. Also, ask for reviews from their past customers by trying to contact them. This move might be pricey, but you might want to consider setting up an escrow account with the help of an animal law attorney. It is a contractual agreement wherein both parties agree to a condition, such as the guarantee of payment when the dog does not meet the promises of the trainer.
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2. Dog-theft Scam
Losing your pet dog outside is heartbreaking and stressful because you never know if your dog is alive or in danger. You post posters in the neighborhood and online, hoping that someone might bring you back your pet. However, some heartless scammers use your emotions to scam money out of you, even threatening to hurt your dog if you don’t give them what they want.
One family from Devon in the United Kingdom became prey to these scammers, as reported by Devon Live. Their family dog was lost, so they posted a missing dog post online with their contact number. Later, someone called and said they had found the dog but had demanded £1,000 from them. The family suspected it was a scam, so they did not entertain the caller further. However, the caller called again, demanding the money while threatening to breed and harm their dog. The family became distressed, so they wired the money and went to the meeting place they agreed to, only to discover that the caller and the dog had not shown up.
How to avoid: If someone tries to contact you saying they found your missing dog, ask for a picture of your dog with a proof showing the date. Also, ask for a video call with the person claiming to have found your dog. If they refuse, then you know it’s a scam.
1. Dog Trainer Scam Abuse
Dogs can be a handful in training, so some dog owners enroll their dogs at puppy training schools, where they learn basic tricks and good behavior. However, as much as we entrust our pets to their trainer, the unthinkable can happen where our dogs get subjected to harsh treatment, like what transpired at a Dayton dog training school after dozens of pet owners took the case to court.
One of the owners, Melissa McClure, recounted to Dayton Daily News the suffering that her French Bulldog, Tater, endured at the hands of his trainer, Jason Thomas Jones. McClure agreed after she was asked to pay an extra $1,000 since training with Tater was going slowly. But when she visited Tater to drop off food, she was prohibited by Jones from seeing her dog, but she still trusted the process.
When Tater was brought back to her, she was shocked after seeing his condition. He was dirty and smelly and had lost some of his hair. You can also see his bones sticking out from his skin, and his teeth were filed. The veterinarian required multiple baths and dental care after he suffered tooth decay.
How to avoid: It’s a given to choose the most appropriate and renowned trainer for your dog. It is better to choose on-call trainers to see how they handle your dog in the comfort of your home. But if you really want to enroll them at dog school, make sure to visit them daily and watch how the trainer conducts the training. Never let a dog trainer hide your dog from you.
