Lost Pet Scam Alert – Protect Yourself



Unfortunately, scammers are now targeting families with missing pets. When you are desperately searching for your beloved dog or cat, it's easy to believe someone who claims they have found your pet.


One of our recent clients became the victim of this scam and lost $1,300 before discovering it was all a fraud.


How the Scam Worked


  1. A family visiting from out of town lost their dog.
  2. They posted about their missing dog in a local Facebook group.
  3. The owner received a call from a private number from someone claiming to be a law enforcement officer. The caller said the dog had been struck by a vehicle but was alive and was being transported to a local veterinary hospital.
  4. About 45 minutes later, another call came from a private number, this time from someone claiming to work at the veterinary hospital. They described serious injuries and stated the dog needed emergency surgery immediately.
  5. The caller demanded an immediate payment of $3,000 through Zelle or Cash App before treatment could begin.
  6. When the owner asked for a photo of their dog, they were told the clinic could not send pictures due to "privacy laws"—a statement that is completely false.
  7. The owner only had access to $1,300, which they immediately sent via Zelle. The scammers agreed to let them pay the remaining balance the following morning and instructed them to pick up their dog at 10:30 a.m.
  8. A GoFundMe campaign was started to help pay for the dog's emergency veterinary bills.
  9. The administrator of the Facebook group promoted and shared the GoFundMe campaign.
  10. Before the scheduled pickup, the scammers repeatedly called from private numbers, demanding the remaining balance before the owner arrived. Fortunately, the owner was unable to send any additional money and insisted they would pay the balance in person.
  11. The veterinary hospital was closed that day and had also been closed for the previous two days, so the owners had no way to verify the calls by contacting the clinic directly. Believing they were speaking with legitimate after-hours emergency staff, they arrived early and waited in the parking lot for their scheduled 10:30 a.m. pickup. At approximately 10:25 a.m., an Animal Control officer happened to arrive at the clinic, spoke with the owners, and quickly realized they had been the victims of an elaborate scam.


An Important Lesson


One of the reasons this scam was so convincing was that the scammers chose a veterinary hospital that was closed for several days. Since no one answered the clinic's phone, the owners believed they were speaking with legitimate after-hours staff. This made it nearly impossible for them to independently verify the story before sending money.


Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They know exactly how to exploit the fear and desperation that comes with a missing pet.


How to Protect Yourself


If someone contacts you claiming they have found your missing pet:

  • Demand current photos or a live video of your pet.
  • Call the veterinary hospital directly using the phone number listed on its official website. If the clinic is closed, wait until you can independently verify the information or contact another emergency veterinary hospital for assistance.
  • Verify with local Animal Control or law enforcement before sending any money.
  • Never send money through Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, gift cards, or cryptocurrency until you have independently confirmed your pet's location.
  • Be extremely cautious of calls from blocked or private numbers, especially when the caller pressures you to act immediately or tells you that you must pay before seeing your pet.
  • Remember that no legitimate veterinary hospital will refuse to provide proof that they have your pet. If they truly have your dog or cat, they can provide photos or allow law enforcement or Animal Control to verify the animal's identity.


Remember


Scammers prey on emotion and urgency. They know that when a beloved pet is missing, owners are willing to do almost anything to bring them home.


Slow down. Take a deep breath. Verify the information before sending money.


If someone cannot prove they have your pet, don't send a dime. It could save you thousands of dollars—and spare you even more heartbreak.