Puppies are cute, but don’t fall for a scam when adopting one

Tuesday is National Puppy Day. If you want to celebrate the day by adopting a puppy to add to your family, there’s a lot to consider. Yes, puppies are adorable and make wonderful pets, but it’s important to do your research.

Complaints regarding pet scams have roughly doubled since last year in the U.S. and Canada, and a staggering three out of four sites advertising puppies are fake. In 2020, according to Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker Data, there was a projected loss of over $3 million due to pet scams alone. This number increased over $2 million during the pandemic. So, if you’re considering getting a pandemic puppy, it’s important to look out for scams.

BBB offers these tips for adopting a puppy:

■ Ask around. Check with friends and family about where they adopted.

■ Consider adopting from a local animal shelter. Not only will it be less expensive, but you’ll be saving a life and supporting your local shelter.

■ Look into the breeder or seller you’re considering. Ask for detailed information, such as his or her full name, phone number and mailing address. If you can’t find good reviews or information online, consider looking elsewhere for your pet. Also, check out the email address, as many scammers use the same email across multiple websites.

■ Keep in mind, a responsible breeder should not want to sell puppies to the first bidder. Look for a breeder who’s interested in knowing more about you and inquiring as to whether the animal will be going to a good home.

■ Visit where the animal was born and raised to see the conditions in which the puppies are cared for.

■ Meet the pet before making a payment. If you can’t meet the animal, ask if you can video call the seller to meet the pet before sending money. If the seller can’t complete this request, he or she is likely a scammer.

■ Do a reverse image search of the pet you’re interested in. If you can find that image on other sites not tied to the seller, it’s likely a scam.

■ Research a fair price for the breed you’re considering. Advertisements for a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price are a red flag.

■ Pay with a credit card. If you’re scammed, you can dispute the charge.

While puppies remain the most common bait in a pet scam, 12% of pet scam complaints to BBB were about kittens or cats. The FTC also received 185 reports of parrots being ordered but not delivered during the first half of 2020.

For more information about pet scams, visit BBB.org or call 937222-5825 or 800-776-5301.