Adopting a pet can be one of the most heartwarming decisions—but sadly, scammers are also taking advantage of animal lovers by creating fake pet adoption scam schemes. These scams are emotionally manipulative, financially harmful, and increasingly common, especially online.
Let check out how Pet Adoption Scams work!
Scammers create fake pet adoption listings online—often on social media, websites, or classified ads (such as Kijiji, Craigslist). They use stolen images of cute puppies, kittens, or exotic pets and claim that the animal is looking for a “loving forever home.”
Once someone shows interest, here’s what typically happens:
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The scammer asks for payment upfront for adoption fees, vaccinations, insurance, or transport.
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They may claim the pet is being shipped from another state or country and will add “unexpected costs” like customs fees or special crates.
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The victim sends money via untraceable methods (PayPal friends/family, Zelle, Venmo, Western Union).
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The pet never arrives—and the scammer disappears.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- No in-person meeting allowed before payment
- Emotional language like “I just want them to go to a good home”
- Requests for extra fees after initial payment
- Use of stock or stolen pet photos (please reverse search the image!)
- Pushy behavior or urgency like “many people are interested”
- Payment requested via gift cards, wire transfer, or crypto
- Poor grammar or inconsistent communication
How to Protect Yourself
- Try to insist on meeting the pet in person or doing a live video call
- Adopt through local, reputable shelters or verified adoption agencies
- Research the organization’s reviews and website credibility
- Reverse image search pet photos to check for fakes
- Avoid paying upfront without verified documentation
- Trust your instincts—if it feels off, it probably is
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