Puppy Scams?

Question

Watching the TodayShow on NBC they were reporting on people being scamed by puppy scams. I wouldn't believe it I hadn't seen it when I was looking for a dog a year ago. These scam artist get on reputable websites and want your money(money gram/western union) and they will send you the puppy by an airplane. They fool people by showing so called pictures and most of these scam artist work from Africa and some in the U.S. Puppies and full grown dogs that are popular are being used to scam people. I remember this lady was trying to sell her Yorkie dog for 500 dollars and wanted me to send money and she would fly the dog over. I then asked her why she was selling her dog she said because she had to work overseas...yeah right. Its best to just adopt a dog at a local shelter, if you can't do that then buy from a reputable breeder where you know where your dog came from and make sure you make your research. Hope this helps!

Please avoid buying pets at pet shops if you can. In the past unfortunately I've had bad experience and will never buy a pet from a pet store again. Its best to adopt but if you can't do that then buy from a breeder like I mentioned before. These pet shops only care about money and profit. They are not their for the good of the animals. If we continue to support these pet shops their abuse and neglect will never end.

Answer 1

People should only sell to others face to face or buy from others face to face. The whole "internet puppy" thing is wrong. I would never ship a dog or buy a dog that had to be shipped.

Answer 2

When I was looking for my little Yorkie I sent an e-mail about a puppy and suddenly started getting about 5 e-mails a day from a priest or pastor that got a puppy then suddenly had to go to Africa on missionary work and didn't think it was fair to this little puppy so they were willing to part with it just for the shipping cost which was about $250-$300. I did find my baby thanks to the internet but the breeder had a lot of questions an was willing to answer any questions I had. She did not require a money gram. She wanted me to come and pick up the puppy so she could meet me. I am so glad that I found her! I love my little Lexi and don't want to find out what I would ever again do without her!!

Answer 3

I am sure such scams are out there. However, I do know no at least 15 people/families that have purchased pups on line successfully, [myself included]. There's a site called nextdaypets.com, and the sellers have to register. Some of the pups listed on this site are from sellers who are NOT registered, and the site informs you that they are not. Avoid them.

While it can be done safely and successfully, it is much better to purchase a purebreed from a quality private breeder, preferrably one within driving distance, so you can see first hand where the pup's been birthed, how it's parents look and behave, how the owners keep the kennels, and you can see your pup among its litter mates. This way you get a great handle on whether your pup is submissive, agressive, or middle of the road, whether it is friendly towards strangers. I would have followed my own advice if it had been feasible, the breed I wanted was just too rare.

I was at the airport last week and saw three separate pups arrive on the same flight to new owners. The pups seemed healthy, clean and very nicely built. But any expert in the dog world will advise you to purchase from a breeder you can actually meet with. NEVER FROM A PET STORE, that's the worst way to go.

Answer 4

Not a single responsible breeder would sell a puppy over the internet. They insist on conducting a series of interviews with potenial puppy buyers to ensure their pups are going to the absolute BEST homes.
Any breeder's website where you can punch in your credit card # and be shipped a puppy is an unscrupulous puppymill.
Responsible breeders have the welfare of their puppies as their first priority, NOT the almighty dollar.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:

1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?

2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?

3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?

4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?

5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)

6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?

7. Does she have a Sales Contract?

8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?

9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).

10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?

Answer 5

Puppy scams don't have to be some breeder in a foreign country, they are right in your back yard
like the pet store that sells pups telling you the pup came from some lovely sweet breeder they are no going to tell you the pup came from a puppy mill, and that it is likely a son bred to a mother and that it is likely to have all sorts of genetic problems

and then there puppyfinder and nextday pets as well as a gazillion backyard breeders who all claim
the have good quality puppies

If you are lookig for a purebreed puppy contact to AKC or the breed club association for a breeder referral and even then you should scheck out the better

http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html

Answer 6

The reason people get scammed is because they do not research the so called breeder or seller. I've dealt with a breeder via the internet and telephone and did extensive research, checked references, and even checked her vet's license as well as her local public records!

It's the impulse/ or compulsive buyers that are getting scammed. Do the homework people, if it is not local enough to go see for yourself, check anything and everything possible. Be 100% certain before any transactions take place! Absolutely no Western Union.

Alot of people are wising up!

Answer 7

You should also add never to buy a puppy from a pet shop.

Nobody should be able to buy a puppy unless they have done all the research beforehand. Just yesterday I went to my local pet shop and I saw a woman with 3 kids walk out of the pet shop holding a bag of Science Diet dog food and a Schnauzer x Maltese who they bought for over $400. Do your research before buying a puppy - it's not just as simple as looking through the paper or Googling 'puppies for sale'.

Answer 8

What you are saying is so true...but also be careful with breeders...my dog was a breeders dog...he was beaten and mistreated in many ways...and then taken to the shelter or rescue home where I found him...his name is Kobe and is a Yorkshire Terrier, tiny and fragile, only 4 pounds wet...yes, I adopted him and it is the best thing I have ever done...he is my joy, my little boy...I recommend that if you, anyone wants a pet, to go visit the rescue homes and adopt one....these are needy pets...all they need is love and a little compassion from any of you will be repaid forever...animals are grateful and their thankful will be eternal for saving them, for caring, they get attached to you for life...is one thing you'll never regret and will always remember and treasured in your heart forever...is my hope you do so or at least help...you can be a foster or a volunteer or bring blankets or anything good to make them feel that we care, that they are not alone and that we want to help making things better for them and us...thank you for reading this and thank you, the good hearted person who wrote this puppy scams....

Answer 9

How does delivery from another person other than the seller work? I wanted to buy a puppy through Greensheet ad and was running into this problem from seller; to delivery person; before even seeing the puppy.And they were asking for my address. I back out of this because I was uncomfortable about the whole deal.

Answer 10

Isn't it funny that they always want "Western Union" money transfers and they always use free anonymous email accounts (yahoo, AOL, hotmail). Just as with the Nigerian 419 "zillion dollar lottery" scam, the free-email account is a red flag that these people are crooks.