In the market for a new pet? Make sure to watch out for scams

Pet ownership is on the rise in the U.S., with dogs leading the way and large increases in the number of less traditional pets like poultry and lizards according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. In fact, over 38% of American households own a dog, over 25% own a cat and over 13% own a specialty or exotic pet. The last thing you want when looking for a new pet is to be duped by a scam artist.

Scammers often place false ads promoting pets that do not exist at a low price. In fact, experts believe at least 80% of the sponsored advertising links that appear in an internet search for pets may be fraudulent. Once you send payment for these bogus pets, the scammers come up with reasons for you to send more money, such as special shipping crates, insurance, shots, food, etc. Unfortunately, many people who have fallen victim to these scams have lost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars before getting wise to the con.

When shopping for a pet, it’s important to know you can trust who you’re buying a pet from. BBB offers these tips:

■ Research prices to know the typical price range for the animal you’re searching for. Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If you see an ad for an expensive pet for a suspiciously low cost, it may be a scam. Likewise, be wary of offers for “free” pets or pets where you only have to pay for shipping.

■ Ask for detailed information on the seller, such as full name, phone number and mailing address. Search online for information on the seller.

■ Never send money unless you have seen the animal in person.

■ Beware of sellers located out of town or overseas.

■ Do a Google search of a picture of the pet you’re considering. If the same image shows up on multiple websites, you’re likely dealing with a fraud.

■ Keep in mind, a responsible breeder should not want to sell puppies to the first bidder. Look for a breeder 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.

■ Do not send payments by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card.

■ Think about adopting from a local shelter instead of private seller.

If you have questions regarding buying a pet, visit www. bbb.org or call 937-222-5825 or 800-776-5301 for a list of BBB Accredited breeders or pet stores. You can also get Business Profiles on the ones you may be considering.