Finding a new pet should be an exciting experience. Unfortunately, scammers know just how quickly people can fall in love with an animal they have only seen online — and they are increasingly using that emotional connection to steal money from hopeful adopters and pet owners.
Recently, the Roanoke Valley SPCA has been contacted by multiple people who believed they were adopting an animal from a legitimate organization, only to discover that the animal — and sometimes the organization itself — never actually existed.
In one instance, a scam victim from out of state found a dog supposedly available for adoption in the Roanoke area. She spent weeks communicating with the organization offering the dog. She asked questions, spoke with someone who claimed to be the dog’s foster parent, and felt confident that the adoption was legitimate.
Eventually, she agreed to adopt the dog and paid an adoption fee.
Then things started to change.
Shortly after making her payment, she was told the dog could no longer be transported as originally planned. Instead, she was told the dog would need to be flown to her, requiring another payment. Soon after, she was told she would also need to pay hundreds of dollars more for the pet’s flight insurance.
The price of adopting the dog kept growing—and with every new expense came another reason the dog could not yet come home.
Unfortunately, this is a common type of online pet scam.
How Pet Adoption Scams Work
Pet scams can take many forms. A scammer may pose as a breeder, rescue organization, foster home, or individual who needs to rehome a pet. They often use adorable photos and detailed stories to make the animal—and the situation—feel real. These stories are often designed to pull at your heartstrings.
In some cases, the scam becomes especially convincing because the potential adopter is able to communicate with someone through social media, email, text messages, or even over the phone.
The victim may initially be asked to pay an adoption fee, purchase price, transportation fee, or deposit. Once that first payment is made, however, the requests for money may begin to increase.
The scammer may suddenly claim that the animal needs:
- Additional transportation
- Airfare
- Special travel accommodations
- Insurance
- A new crate or other supplies
- Vaccinations or veterinary paperwork
- Permits or certificates
- Quarantine fees
- Other unexpected expenses
Each payment is presented as the last obstacle standing between you and your new pet. But after the money is sent, another problem and another fee appears.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Not every rescue charges an adoption fee, and not every legitimate adoption happens in person. However, there are several warning signs that should cause potential adopters to slow down and investigate before sending money.
The organization is difficult to verify.
Can you find an official website? Is there a physical address? Are the organization and its leaders connected to a real community? Can you find independent information about them outside of their own social media pages?
Do your own independent research. Don’t rely solely on information provided by the person trying to arrange the adoption.
The pet seems to be located somewhere different from the organization.
Be cautious when a group claims to be located in one place while the animal is supposedly being fostered somewhere else—especially if transportation arrangements seem or become complicated.
You are pressured to act quickly.
Scammers often create a sense of urgency. They may tell you that someone else is waiting to adopt the animal or that you must send payment immediately to avoid losing your chance.
A legitimate organization should understand that you want time to ask questions and make sure you’re making a safe decision.
The fees keep changing.
Unexpected expenses can happen in legitimate situations, but repeated demands for additional money are a major red flag—particularly when each new payment is required before the pet can be released or transported.
If the cost of getting the pet home keeps increasing, stop and take a closer look at what’s happening.
The payment method offers little protection.
Be cautious when someone insists on payment methods that are difficult or impossible to reverse or dispute. If you’re uncomfortable with how you’re being asked to pay, that’s a good reason to pause before sending money.
Something just doesn’t feel right.
Trust your instincts.
If communication suddenly changes after you send money, details become inconsistent, or the story keeps changing, stop sending payments and take more time to investigate.
How to Protect Yourself
Before sending money to adopt or purchase a pet you found online, take a few extra steps to verify who you are working with.
Research the organization independently.
Don’t rely only on links or reviews provided by the person you’re communicating with. Search for the organization yourself and look for information from independent sources. Call other verified animal organizations in that community and see if they are aware of the organization in question. If so, do they have a good reputation?
Ask questions.
A reputable rescue or breeder should be willing to answer reasonable questions about the animal and their organization. If someone becomes evasive, defensive, or unwilling to provide basic information, consider that a warning sign.
Verify the pet’s location.
If possible, arrange to meet the pet in person before making payment.
If distance makes that impossible, consider asking for a live video call that allows you to see the animal and ask questions in real time. A live interaction isn’t a guarantee that a situation is legitimate, but it can provide additional information that a collection of photos cannot.
Talk to people outside of the organization.
If the animal is supposedly located in a particular community, contact established animal welfare organizations in that area to see whether they are familiar with the rescue, foster group, or situation.
Independent verification can help you determine whether the organization and the animal are actually part of the local animal welfare community.
Never let excitement override caution.
It is easy to emotionally connect with a pet before you ever meet them. Scammers understand this and may use heartbreaking stories, adorable photos, or urgent situations to encourage people to act before they have time to think.
Remember: You don’t have to send money just because you’re afraid you’ll lose the pet.
Taking a little extra time to verify the situation could save you from losing much more.
If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
If you believe you have been the victim of a pet adoption or purchase scam, stop sending money immediately.
Save everything you can, including:
- Emails
- Text messages
- Social media conversations
- Receipts
- Payment information
- Phone numbers
- Screenshots of advertisements or profiles
- Any photos or information provided about the animal
Contact the financial institution or payment service you used to determine whether anything can be done to dispute or stop the transaction.
You should also report the fraud to law enforcement in your area and follow any instructions provided by the agency handling your report.
Most importantly, remember that scammers are professionals at creating believable stories. Falling for a scam does not mean that someone was careless or foolish. These scams work because they take advantage of something deeply human: our desire to help an animal and bring them safely home.
Protect Your Heart—and Your Wallet
Adopting a pet should begin with excitement — not a growing list of unexpected fees and demands for more money.
If you’re searching for a new pet online, take your time. Research the organization. Ask questions. Verify the animal’s location. And if something doesn’t feel right, pause before you pay.
A little extra caution can help protect both your heart and your wallet — and help make sure the happy ending you’re hoping for is a real one.