Many people around the world were interested in adopting pets as a way to overcome the loneliness during COVID-19 pandemic. The same goes for the United States.
Many Americans adopted almost every animal that was available for adoption. When the shelters were emptied out, people turned to breeders who also noticed a spike in demand for puppies.
In the meantime, it’s been reported by the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York that scammers also noticed the high demand of puppies so they saw that as a business opportunity. They started running a lot of fake ads for puppy sales.
If the alleged breeder communicates only via email or text, the potential buyer should ask for a live video call or at least see the puppy in person.
According to McGovern, it’s a good idea to see the puppy and make sure it is real and healthy. However, it’s also important for potential buyers to be sure they are making the right decision.
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The BBB also warned that it’s a potential scam if the breeder changes the price of the puppy or has a limited amount of photos of the animal.
McGovern said people can use the BBB’s website to search for an accredited breeder.
Recently, there were many puppy scams. One of the scams involved a woman from Buffalo. She drove to Pittsburgh to meet with the breeder and pick up a puppy. However, when she arrived there, she found out it was a scam.
Some people who wanted to buy a puppy said that the price in the ads was around $500, but quickly “additional fees” up to $3,000 were added on it.
If you have been scammed or want to find out for more helpful information, click here.
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