Lost pet scams are becoming increasingly common, and they can be incredibly emotionally and financially damaging.
It's essential that pet parents know what to look out for so they can avoid any further devastation while trying to find their missing pet.
We're exploring common scams to look out for and what to do when you have lost your pet so you can get them home quickly and safely.
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Key takeaways
Common lost pet scams
What to do when you've lost a pet
FAQs
Final thoughts
Common lost pet scams
Unfortunately, when people are in a vulnerable and emotional situation, they make the perfect target for heartless scammers looking to make some money.
One such situation is when you've lost a pet. Recently, these scams have become even more prevalent, so it's essential for pet owners and animal lovers to know the common cons.
Ransom demands from pet owners
Despite being in a devastating and distressing situation, people will see pet owners looking for their lost furry friends as money making opportunities.
A common scam is when a person pretends to have your pet. They'll then often demand huge sums of money with the threat that they won't give your pet back or they may even injure your pet.
When a member of our family is missing, we'll do just about anything to get them back. However, it's essential you determine whether you are talking to a scam artist or not before giving any money away. Some red flags to look out for in this scenario include:
The person who found your pet won't send a photo of them
If they do send a photo, it's very similar to the photos posted on missing pet posters (background changed, photoshopped, lightened or darkened)
They have no caller ID
They won't provide an address or contact details
Scam/prank calls
Many owners publicize their personal contact information when trying to find lost pets. This can be on posters, social media posts, and lost-and-found websites. Scammers will find these and misuse the information, often posing as fake employees of official businesses, banks, and organizations.
They may ask you for personal details like:
Your address
Your bank details
Your card details
Your email address
However, it's essential you don't divulge any information until they can verify exactly who they are. It's also important to note that banks will very rarely ask for your details over the phone.
With just some information from you, scammers will be able to steal money, use your identification, and sometimes even log in to your various online accounts.
Pretending to be animal control, a veterinarian, or an animal shelter
Another very convincing scam that is becoming increasingly common is when someone poses as animal control or a veterinarian.
They will often claim that they found your pet in a significantly injured state and they required emergency surgery. They'll then demand payment for that surgery before letting you pick your pet up.
This can be incredibly convincing, but there are a few questions you can ask to ensure you're not being scammed:
Can I make the payment in person?
What is the address of your practice?
Can I see a photo to make sure they are my pet?
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Expert Insight: Remember, no vet or animal shelter will demand money before you see your pet, so if they aren't offering the option of paying when collecting your pet, it's very likely they are trying to scam you.
Posting about a hurt animal
This scam is a little more convoluted and aims to identify people who may be susceptible to other scams. You may have seen some graphic photos of injured pets being shared on Facebook and other social media sites, along with a plea to try and find the owner of the hurt animal.
Instead of directly trying to take money from pet owners, this technique is used to find sympathetic people who may fall for other scams by viewing the comments, likes, and shares. So, be careful not to interact with these posts, and do try to warn others that they aren't genuine.
You can identify these posts by looking out for the following:
Pixelated/poor-quality image
Very graphic image
The profile of the person who posted it has little to no information on it
Comments disabled
Posted on unrelated groups and chats
What to do when you've lost a pet
There are some things you can do that will help you get your lost pet home as quickly as possible. It's a horrible situation, but if you act proactively and think clearly, you'll increase your chances of finding your furry friend.
Report them missing
Reporting your pet missing is essential to get the expert help you need to get your furry friend home. This should be the first step you take when you realize your pet is lost. Ensure you contact:
Local veterinarians: If your pet is found by a member of the public, it's common for them to end up at a local veterinarian for a checkup or to see if they are microchipped. By notifying the vets in the area, you can be one step ahead and ensure you get your pet back as soon as possible.
Local animal shelters: Rescue shelters and organizations will be able to give you expert advice on your next steps, as well as notifying you if any similar pets are handed in or any sightings are reported.
Animal control: Sometimes, you may need an extra pair of hands to track down your furry friend. Animal control can help out by providing resources like humane traps and physically searching for your lost pet with you.
Start a PetRadar search
By reporting your pet missing with PetRadar, you'll greatly improve your chances of finding them. As soon as you sign up for free, we'll:
Send you a personalized and printable missing dog poster
List your lost pet on our website
Offer constant support and guidance
While this starter pack will help your search, our sponsored posts on social media are the most effective way to spread the word as far as possible in as little time as possible.
We'll create digital missing pet posts and sponsor them on Instagram and Facebook so they'll pop up as an advertisement on over 4000 of your neighbors' feeds. This means when they're scrolling at home, an alert of your lost pet will pop up. From the post, they can report a sighting, send it to a friend, or save it for later.
We'll instantly notify you when any sightings are reported so you can act as quickly as possible.
FAQs
How do you spot a pet scammer?
To spot a pet scammer, look out for the following: Reluctant to send you photos of your lost pet, being deliberately vague with information, and asking for money.
How do I know if I'm talking to a scammer?
You can tell if you are talking to a scammer if they are being particularly vague, demanding money, or being rude.
Is it a good idea to offer a reward for a lost pet?
Offering a reward for a pet can be a good motivator for your neighbors to start searching for them. However, they can make you more of a target for scammers.
How to get money back from a pet scammer?
It can be very difficult to get your money back from a pet scammer, but the best way to do this is to talk to your bank and explain what happened.
What is a pet scammer?
A pet scammer is someone who targets vulnerable pet owners, often when their pets are missing and pretends to know where they are. They'll then demand money in return for the lost pet.
What are the red flags of a pet scammer?
The red flags of a pet scammer include demanding money, refusing to provide evidence that they have your pet, being deliberately vague, and being rude.
Final thoughts
It's awful that people are taking advantage of distraught humans during a distressing period of their lives. However, it will continue to happen. This is why pet parents must stay vigilant.
If you're ever in doubt about whether you're talking to a scammer or not, you can ask us for help. Our team of animal lovers can give you some expert advice, and we'll do all we can to get your furry friend back home.
Written by
Lauren Jeffries
In this blog, I combine my two areas of expertise: pets and writing. I share my personal experiences alongside plenty of animal behavior research to help owners look after their pets. I have always lived with furry friends and am now a loving cat mum to two orange kitties.
