10/16/2026
🚨 PUPPY BUYER SCAM WARNING — PLEASE READ! 🚨
With so many puppy scams happening online, we want to remind everyone to protect themselves when searching for their next family member ❤️🐾
Unfortunately, scammers are getting better at pretending to be legitimate breeders. Please watch for these red flags before sending anyone your hard-earned money!
⚠️ RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR:
🐾 Refusing to FaceTime. A reputable breeder should be willing to arrange a FaceTime call so you can see the puppy, meet the breeder, and ask questions.
🐾 Rushing you to send a deposit. If someone is pressuring you to pay immediately because “someone else is interested” or the puppy will be gone in minutes, slow down!
🐾 Prices that seem too good to be true. Unusually low prices can be a tactic to get you to send money quickly.
🐾 Excuses for everything. Be cautious if they constantly avoid video calls, won't show current videos of the puppy, or always have a reason they cannot verify the puppy is in their care.
🐾 Suspicious payment requests. Be careful with requests for irreversible payments, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment methods that offer little to no buyer protection.
🐾 No questions about you. A responsible breeder should care about where their puppies are going and want to learn about the families who will raise them.
❤️ OUR BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
NEVER send a deposit before you've verified the breeder and had a live video call with them and the puppy. FaceTime is an important precaution, although it is not a guarantee that someone is legitimate. Scammers can steal photos, videos, and even breeder identities, so take time to verify everything.