In response to recent reports regarding the growing trend of Internet scammers offering purebred puppies for “free to good homes,” the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today offers potential pet parents some valuable tips to avoid such scams.
“The best way to avoid being scammed is to simply never buy a dog you haven’t met in person,” said Cori Menkin, Esq., Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives for the ASPCA. “Internet scammers lure people with cute pictures of cuddly puppies, but the Internet is a vast, unregulated marketplace. People need to do their homework before they decide to get a pet through the Internet.”
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, hundreds of complaints are filed every year from victims who were scammed when buying a dog online. When looking for your pet online, the ASPCA suggests these simple tips:
• Always check references, including others who have purchased pets from a specific breeder, as well as the veterinarian the breeder works with.
• Be sure to deal directly with a breeder, not a broker.
• Never send Western Union or money order payments.
• Always visit. Reputable breeders and rescue groups will be more than happy to offer you a tour.
• If you are told that there will be no refunds for a sick puppy, you are most probably dealing with a puppy mill. A reputable breeder or rescue group will always take the puppy back, regardless of the reason.
• Always pick your puppy up at the kennel. Do not have the puppy shipped or meet at a random location.
Because there are homeless pets awaiting adoption in every community across the country, the ASPCA strongly advocates that potential pet parents ‘make pet adoption their first option’ when considering bringing a dog or cat into their home.
Ms. Menkin adds, “There are thousands of animals waiting for good homes at local animal shelters, including purebreds and puppies.”
If you feel you have been a victim of a puppy scam, contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Better Business Bureau.
For more information on puppy scams, please visit
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_puppymills_scams
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.
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