Real Pet Adoption vs Puppy Deposit Scam
Tell a genuine pet adoption or breeder listing apart from a puppy deposit scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Most people rehoming animals are genuine, and rescues and reputable breeders want the same thing you do, which is the animal ending up in the right home. That shows in how they behave. They want you to visit, they ask you questions, they have vaccination records and vet paperwork ready, and they are relaxed about you taking your time. Puppy and kitten deposit scams are convincing because the photographs are usually real, taken from a breeder who exists, and because wanting an animal makes people move quickly and kindly. A small deposit to hold the puppy feels like the responsible thing to do. The distinction that matters is seeing the animal in its actual home, with its mother where relevant, before any money moves anywhere.
Side-by-side comparison
| Real pet adoption | Puppy deposit scam | |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing | Encourages an in-person visit before any payment | Refuses viewing; claims the animal is 'abroad' or in transit |
| Payment method | Bank transfer to a verifiable account, or card; receipt provided | Demands payment via wire transfer, Western Union, or gift cards |
| Documentation | KC registration, vaccination records, vet certificate available | Promises documents 'after delivery'; none available upfront |
| Communication | Consistent, verifiable contact details; landline or verified number | WhatsApp only; refuses voice calls or changes contact details |
| Pricing | Consistent with market rates; transparent about all costs | Low initial price with escalating 'transport insurance' or 'customs' fees |
Common red flags
- Animal is described as currently abroad and being shipped to you
- Payment only by wire transfer, Western Union, gift cards, or crypto
- Photos reverse-search to a different breeder's website
- Escalating additional fees after the initial deposit
- Seller refuses a video call showing the animal in its current environment
Verification steps
- Reverse-image-search the animal photos to check they appear on other sites
- Insist on a live video call showing the animal and its environment before paying
- Visit in person before any money changes hands
- Check breeders against the Kennel Club or relevant breed society registers
What not to do
- Don't pay a deposit for a pet you haven't seen in person or on a verified live video
- Don't pay escalating 'transport' or 'customs' fees for a pet shipment
- Don't assume professional-looking photos mean the seller is genuine
A safe response
Say that you would like to visit before paying anything. That single sentence ends most of these approaches, because a scam cannot survive it. If distance genuinely makes a visit hard, ask for a live video call and name something for them to show you in that moment, such as holding up a piece of paper with today's date on it. Save the photos and run a reverse image search before you commit. Pay in a way that carries protection rather than by bank transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. If you have already sent a deposit, contact your bank straight away, report it to Action Fraud, and report the advert to the site it appeared on.
Frequently asked questions
They sent extra photos and a video when I asked. Does that prove the puppy exists?
Not on its own. Photos and pre-recorded clips are easily taken from other people's litters, and a video that arrives ready-made proves nothing about who is holding the phone. What is much harder to fake is a live call where you choose what to see: ask them to show today's date written on paper next to the animal, or to move to a different room while you watch. Refusal or excuses tell you what you need.
I paid a deposit and now they want a transport fee. Should I pay it to get my money back?
No. Escalating fees are the core of this scam, and each payment is designed to make the last one feel worth protecting. There is usually no animal and no transport company. Stop paying, keep every message and payment reference, and contact your bank immediately. Report it to Action Fraud and to the site where the advert appeared. Recovery is uncertain and your bank decides, but the losses stop the moment you stop paying.
Is it ever safe to buy a pet without viewing it first?
No reputable breeder or rescue organisation expects you to pay without viewing the animal. Any refusal to allow this should be treated as a strong warning sign.